New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
STOKES SHOWS TEMPER
At LAWYERS QUESTIONS
Counsel Hints Lillian Graham
and Ethel Conrad May Try
to Prove Self-0efenCe.
MORE LETTERS INTRODUCED
Problem of Whether Hotel Man
Was Pursued or Pursuer
Closes with Allusion to
"Ar" Adams.

During another uncomfortable two
bours W r. u. Stokes, owner Of the
Ansonia, was subjected to cross-exami-
nation yesterday at the trial Of Lillian
Graham and Ethel Conrad, charged with
shooting him at their apartment last
June. as counsel for the defendants
sought TO discredit his testimony that he
had been more pursued than pursuing In
his acquaintance with Miss Graham
Nine or ten OF Stokess letters TO Miss
Graham were identified by the witness,
and offered in evidence for that purpose
by Robert NJ Moore, counsel for the
girls.
Mr.. Stokes at times displayed a hlgb
temper under the unceasng fire of deli
cately personal questions by Mr.. Moore,
and his exhibition of uneasiness was not
lost at any time on the two defendants.
They appeared thoroughly TO enjoy his
discontinue to judge from behbins
~ heads and an exchange Of smiles and
whispered conversation. The front row
II relatives Of the defendants was
heightened yesterday by the arrival of
Mrs. Alice Anderson, of San Francisco,
a sister of Miss Graham, who sat with
Mrs. Stella Singleton, another sister, and
their brother.
The trial had been interrupted on
Monday by the withdrawal of Terry
Hinkle a juror. but a twelfth man was
obtained soon after the opening OF the
court yesterday, Henry w. Samek, of
No. 80 West 18th street. The morning
session and part OF the afternoon ses-
sion were occupied in reading earlier tes
timony 10 the new Juror. Justice Mar
Gus held court an hour later than usual
in order 10 facilitate the cross-examina-
ton of Stokes. The time was too short,
however. for Mr.. Moore, and he will re-
sumo his questions to-day.
Suggests Line Of Defence.
4 strong suggestion of the line of de-
fence in the case was made by Mr. Moore
in his questions regarding the purpose
Of Mr. Stokes's visit to the Varuna
apartments, where the defendants lived,
on the evening of June :, when he was
shot
Stokes testified he had called at the
request of Miss Conrad to get some let
ters he had written to Miss Graham, be-
uev.ng she had sailed for Europe. Mr..
Moore intimated that the witness had
gone to the apartment expecting to find
Miss Conrad alone, and for another pur-
pose. and that the shooting was in self
defence Stokes fairly bristled as he
leaned far out Of the witness chair and
shouted a deniel Of any such purpose.
Mr.. Moore began the cross-examina-
tion yesterday by reading the so-called
Give my love 10 Clarence" letter which
Stokes wrote tc Miss Graham when she
was in Chicago, in December, 1906. II
am glad YOU are well and happy" he
wrote, but the most crushing part OF
your letter is for me 10 give your love tC
Clarence. I never heard Of such a crue
act IN my life"
AT that time you had a friendly feel
ing toward this young lady, didn't you?'
asked Mr.. Moore.
Il did, SIR" Mr. Stokes replied.
IF that was ALL why should you say
that II was the most crushing part OF
her letter to ask you to give her love tC
CIarence?" asked Mr.. Moore.
Clarence was a man siXty-sever
years old and it was more Of a joke thar
anything else" was the witnesses reply
80 YOU were joking with this young
woman all this time, is that it?' asked
the defendants counsel
Il suppose that was it, said Stokes
blandly.
1T was another Joke when YOU wrot
Miss Graham and invited her 10 come T.
your stock farm I'm Lexington, wher
you have testified she spent three day
wifi you?' asked Mr.. Moore.
Tho witness repeated emphaticall,
that he had invited Miss Graham to tn
farm because both she and her sister
Mrs. Singleton. had urged him to do so
Mr.. Moore read another letter I'm whicl
the witness told Miss Graham he hac
arranged for her and her sister 10 hav,
the entire use Of his automobile on Sat
urdsy and Sunday. This was writer
on July 3 1907 month subsequent {
Miss Graham's visit 20 Lexington, &C