Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-25
Mrs. Gertrude Patterson
Weeps Under GrlIIing
of Prosecution.
CRUELTY NOT PROVED
Diary of Dead Man, Together
With Other Documents, to
Be introduced.

Denver, Nov. 25-Mrs. Gertrude
Gibson Patterson continued on the wit
ness stand today in her trial for the
murder Of her husband. TIE grIlling
cross-examination by the state was re
fused Events of her married life
were gone into with minute detail.
The first day of her testimony Mrs.
Patterson told a story OF her husband 5
brutality. Against it the prosecution,
in cross-examinatIon, introduced her
own letters written TO her husband on
dates subsequent BY only a few days
10 those on which she had testified he
had administered beatings so severe
she was confined to her bed.
LETTERS BREATHE ENDEARMENT.
Those letters. full OF love and en-
dearment, told him that he was the
only cure for her Unhappiness- That
Prosecutor Benson was by no means
through with his cross s-examinatiOu
was indicated today by a pile Of letters
and other documents on table beside
him IN his effort 70 tear down Mrs.
Patterson's testimony. he has at his
command letters from the witness to
her husband. letters from Patterson to
his brother IN Chicago, in which the
dead man freely discussed his affairs.
and PattersOn's diary and other papers
found among his effects.
DIFFER ON LA rT1 EVENTS.
On much OF her story she still
awaits cross-examinatton. particularly
on events Immediately preceding the
shooting and on the shooting itself, q
phase Of the case on which the prose
cution and defense differ widely.
Under the grueIling OF the special
prosecutor the mask OF imperturbabil-
ity that Mrs. Patterson has worn van
ished yesterday afternoon She ran
the ga1nut Of emotions. Twice she
broke down and wept. while at other
times doubt. scorn and Indignation
held her. Offended dignity often was
her attitude.
LETTERS REFUTIc STORY.
Mrs. Patterson had testified TO cruel
ty and abuse ON the part Of her hus-
band and charged that he sold her for
81 800 70 her former admirer. Emil W.
strouss of Chicago, with whom she
made a trip to Europe.
his abuse and forced to declare that
naturally, at the time she felt toward
him the greatest of Indignation and
contempt, Mrs. Patterson was con
fronted by letters she herself had
written TO her husband on dates only
a few days subsequent 20 those on
which she had declared the attacks
upon her had been made. These let
ters were couched IN terms of deepest
affection. models Of what a devoted
wife would write 20 an afectionate
husband.
DEVELOPS ST:SOUSS THEORY.
On the instance Of the trip 70 Europe
with Strouss. the state poured its heav-
lest fire ana the witness fought des-
perately. Il failed TO gain an admis-
sion from the witness that just prior
10 the trip she had urged her husband
TO get into some business for himself
and that negotiations We're pending for
his purchase OF q half interest in q
Chicago printing establishment. for
which she was TO give him $500.
which she said she had from an estate
that had just been settled.
Didn't you tell Charlie Patterson
tNAt VT SilOlcS WIS tlNE - A4ttAt4 ~
YOU: that he wanted you 70 80 10 Eu-
rope with him because your knowledge
OF French would be OF value 70 him
Il, tuyiug goods" 5sFed Mr.. Benson.
Il did not" she shot hacA-
STICKS To HER STORY.
Didn't YOU receive q telegram from
him in New York before You sailed. /
begging you not TO CO.
Yes. after he had the Sl5oo-'
Reviewing her early l!fe in Sandovai.
III. the prosecutor wru-E from Mrs
Patterson an admission that when she
Was about Il years old she had been
expelled from school but rot for i'm
moral conduct. she declared As he had
iutl--ttc He then eudeavored Uu-
successfully 70 get Mrs Patterson -
admit she had been the inmate OF an
immoral resort in -. Louis