The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-10-31
Mrs. McRea on Witness Stand Ad.
mlts the Killing Of Young
Man In Her sotth-
ern Homo.
DEFENDING HER HONOR
Argued TO the Jurors and Left wiz
ness Stand With triumphant
Air When Ex-
cused.

OPELOUSAS, La, Oct. 31.-Mrs.
Zoe Runge McRea, member OF one of
the oldest families in the state. faced
her accusers and told why she killed
Allan Garland, member of family
equally as prominent as her own.
She said she shot ito protect her
honor" but her only explanation OF
why each bullet took effect in the
young Tulane students back was that
she was so excited she did not know
whether Garland turned to flee as she
shot. She said she got her revolver
when Garland insulted her. and fired
when he advanced on her, saying,
"you car not scare me-" Her testi-
mony was completed after six hours
on the stand.
Mrs. McRea denied absolutely any
undue friendship between herself and
Garland, and explained the circum-
stances under which he spent three or
four nights at her home.
She admitted that Garland and her.
self were together often, adding that
her children we're always with them.
Sh, was asked IL she thought Garland
intended to attack her in her home at
10 o'clock in the morning, with all the
doors open and with her children and
two servants in the yard. Mrs. Nc
Rea replied she did not know what
Garland would do, as he had said he
was not afraid OF her and was ad-
vancing toward her.
Did you think he was going to at.
tack you then and there?"
Yes, sir A man who makes such
proposal to a woman-I do not know
what he would do to woman
Now, you are positive that was
why you shot him?''
Yes, sir; to defend my honor.
shot him to defend my honor, she
said, .emphatically.
Why did Allan come to your home
and spend three nights?"
His uncle was visiting the Gar
lands and Allan had had some trouble
with young lady and he ordered AL
Ian out of the house. Allan asked me
If / wouldn't let him come to my
house and stay for the next few
nights. / didn't want to do anything
that would cause friction between the
two families, so went to Mrs. Gar
land and asked her whether there
would be any objections to Allan's
staying there until his uncle went
home. She said no, and that was VIII.
Allan stayed at my house."
After admitting she was good shot
and that she and Garland had beer
shooting at targets together she wat
asked:
Aren't you stronger than Allan and
didn't you say that you were?"
Il said I was fleshier and bigger
but I don't know what Is the strength
OF man as compared to that Of 6
woman" Mrs. McRea replied.
Nov, tell me, couldn't you have
picked this boy up by the arms and
pushed him out of the house?'
Il might have If had had that
much time. Mr.. veasey Do you thini
a woman is going to get into fist
Why, don't think SO, and l dom
think the wives Of any of these jurors
would have done it," declared the &C
cused woman, with a rising infection
IL her voice.
Attorney veasey objected to the wit
less arguing before the jury.
When Mrs. McRea was excused she
walked triumphantly from the little
platform which serves as witness
stand
A half dozen character witnesses
We're called, all testifying that Mrs
McRea bore good reputation.