Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-07-08
Stokes ENDU RE s
TRYING ORDEAL
ON STAND
SAYS INTEREST IN GIRLS
WAS SYMPATHETIC
Lawyer for Defense Curious to
Find Missing Letters Which
Miss Graham Declares are a
Scream" and Sensational,
III, Morning Journal Special Leased wirel

nv Morning Journal Special Leased Wire
New York. July 7.-''Where are the
rest of the Stokes letter? How did
they come to be suppressed. Who
suppressed them and Why"
These are questions that Robert w
Moore. of counsel for Lillian Graham
wered This afternoon in their prelim-
mary hearing on the charge that they
attempted to murder w +. ID.
stokes. the millionaire hotel man,
when he called at their apartment Ia
get possession of the letters.
The questions We're not answered To
MIR Moore's satisfaction. but he was
able to advance so Tar that ne viii
rest his case tomorrow afternoon att
or one more witness has been called
the elevator boy, who took stokes to
the girls apartments on the night he
was shot Magistrate Freschle Will
then decide whether the case shall 20
TO the grand jury.
Under cross examination Stokes
told how he first met Ethel Conrad;
how she enlisted his sympathies, and
for Lillian Graham, who, sick and
penniless, Stokes said, Miss Conrad
told him. had attempted suicide; how
ne came to call on the two girls after
Lillian Grahams recovery and what
his sentiments for them were
His narrative only faltered when he
was questioned about the missing let
ters. But those who had expected the
two girls to take the stand were dis
appointed.
only once did Stokes show signs of
confusion.
Are these nine letters (produced in
evidence yesterday all you ever
wrote Miss Graham ?" asked Attorney
Moore.
"No"
''siow many did you write her? As
many as eighteen ?"
Perhaps
"What became of those missing
letters, which you admit having writ
ten and which were in Miss Graham
possession on the night Of the shoot
ing?"
II haven't the remotest idea" said
stokes.
Al the afternoon sitting counsel
for the two girls called to the stand
James Cummings, house detective
nj the Ansonia, owned by stokes
Cummings said he had searched the
girls apartment two or three uaEs
after the shooting with three central
office detectives and found the letters
hahinh "a trunk
And these officers of the depart
ment of justice of the city allowed
you to rummage the apartment ana
take from 1t what you wished?
"They did not know / had found
anything, parried the detective.
Then you deliberately seereted
these letters from the sworn officers
of the law" thundered Mr.. Moore.
II put them in my pocket.
yes or no." insisted counsel
Yes" admitted Cummings.
Subsequent testimony was that
Cummings had delivered the letters
to q Mr. Gleason, personal couhsei
for Stokes who had passed them on
to former Judge Olcott. in charge OF
the case Tor Mr.. Stokes, who in turn
delivered them to the district attor-
ney's office.
Cummings, the detective, had NOT
counted the letters, he swore, ana ana
not know their contents. judge W
colt swore that the package as II
reached him, contained twelve letters
There were eighteen of these let
ters at least" said Mr. Moore after
the hearing. who suppressed
them"
They'll make interesting readlhs
when they are produced added MISS
Graham. II wouldn't dare to tell you
what is in them. You wouldnt pe-
lieve me, but when ! get out OF this
trouble I'm going to use them. They re
a scream
During his earlier examination oi
stokes, Mr.. Moore asked:
Did you not, down to the time Oh
your visit to Lexington, entertain al
fection for Miss Graham"
Never" shouted stokes.
During that time what were your
intentions toward her.
Merely to be polite to her
How long did she remain at your
farm with only the farm hands ana
negro cook 2" persuaded Mr.. Moore.
Three days answered stokes.
Didn't you make her write let
ter generating you from attempting
to wrong her before YOU would per-
nit her to leave? ~
II did not. No such letter ex-
lists"
Let us try rs much as possible 10
keep scandal out of this case sug-
gested Magistrate Fresehie.
But the record shows he gave her
money and improper inferences might
be drawn" protested Mr.. Moore.
Nothing OF the Sort volunteered
the magistrate. "he may have given
to her out of the goodness Of his
heart"
on the stand yesterday Stokes gave
his version OF the alleged attempt On
his life when he visited the young
womans apartments at Miss Conrads 8
invitation to recover letters he had
written to Miss Graham.
These letters were found by detec-
lives ~ the girls rooms q few days