Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-07-08
STOKES CONTINUES HIS STORY
Millionaire Says Miss Conrad Visited
His Office May 21.
GAVE MONEY FOR MISS GRAHAM
says She Told Him other Girl Had
Attempted Suicide and Wanted
to Go to Her Sister in
Belgium.

NEW YORK, July 7.--1. d. Stokes tes-
timony was still unfinished when court
convened today for further examination,
when a charge of an attempt to murder
Stokes was made a month ago against Miss
Lillian Graham and Miss Ethel Conrad.
The purpose OF these proceedings is to de-
terniine whether the evidence is sufficient
to warrant Eending the case TO the grand
jury, but tho examination and cross-ex-
animation is conducted with such thor
oughnesB that Il amounts practically to a
trial
On the stand yesterday Stokes gave his
version Of the alleged attempt on his life
when he visited the young women's apart
ment at Miss Conrad's invitation to re-
cover letters he had written to Miss Ora
ham
These letters were found by detectives
in the girls rooms few days after the
shooting, and since then have been in the
possession Of the district attorney. In
them Stokes who said on the stand yes
terday that he was 81 years old. for the
most part adopted toward the young girl
an attitude of fatherly counsel. advising
her against the stage. against intoxicating
liquors and about life in general
The two defendants and Miss Graham's
wealthy California mining man. who ac-
companied them in court, listened to
Stokes testimony with frequent derisive
smiles. All three dress in the daintiest of
summer costumes and present a refreshing
sight in the torrid court room.
The pretty young defendants were dressed
alike today in striking gowns of white
serge trimmed with satin. Stokes wore
black and carried a boat-shaped straw hat
Of the ooolie fashion.
Part of the Letters Are stokes.
When Mr.. Stokes resumed his testimony,
he said he was not sure how many letters
exhibited yesterday were his. He thought
about eight
He told Of a visit made to his office on
May 81 last. by Miss Conrad, which was
the first time the letters were brought into
his notice. She came into his office highly
excited and was unable to speak for some
time.
When she became calmsd," Stokes con-
] tinued, "she told me she had been out to
dinner the night before. She met Miss
Graham. she said. at the dinner and the
young lady was In distressed circumstances
with little money and no clothes, and that
she had taken her home TO her rooms
When I went out this morning to busi-
ness Miss Conrad said. left Miss
Graham in bed. 1 forgot my pencil and
returned for 1t. When l got into the room
/ was shocked TO find a note on the table,
together with a bundle OF letters, the note
saying that Miss Graham had committed
suicide and she had addressed the letter
to the press
Miss Conrad also told me-" coneDued
/ Stokes, that some OF the letters were mine
and some belonged to other men She said
she rushed into the bedroom and found
4 Miss Graham in bed. her face all blistered
and burned. where she mad spilled car
| bolc acid. A doctor was called and pumped
her out" Miss Conrad said. and saved her
life"
Paid Money to M iss Conrad.
II told Miss Conrad that Miss Graham
was an undesirable woman" said stokes,
''and that l wouldn't give Miss Graham one
cent. but l said | would give. Miss Conrad
money for the nurse to look after Miss
Graham. Miss Conrad wanted me 10 sign
a note for 500 to allow Miss Graham Io go
abroad. l said l would not. / would
give no agreement, because though Miss
Graham was dangerous woman
Stokes said she offered TO draw a check
for s2OO to enable Miss Graham to get te
Belgium TO join her sister, whereupon he
continued:
Miss Conrad said. oh. no. don't draw
a check. there might be some scandal
about H. Give me the cash said: AN
right and gave her the money"
The defendants attorney questioned Mr..
Stokes sharply regarding Miss Graham'l
visit to his farm in Lexington. Ky. The
defense has contended that the girl ex,