The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-23

confident Of absolute justice which to
her means acQuittal. She claims to
have IN her possession proof which viii
undisputably show that her husband
sold her body and soul to a rich add
mirer for Sl.5O0 She maintains that
this was "A last resort on their part
and seemed TO be the only means which
could prevent their starvation because
Of the fact that her husband refused 10
work himself for the support OF the
family.
1t was back in Chicago but few
years ago that she first met at a skat-
ing rink the attractive football player
ana college man. Charles Patterson. At
that time she was under the protection
OF a millionaire benefactor. Other meet
ings followed the first with Patterson.
When she left for Los Angeles abrupt
~. Patterson followed. catching ur iu
the cross country race at Colorado
Springs. Here the young man again
proclaimed his love and they were mar
ried, continuing. on their journey 70 the
coast Immediately as man and wife.
Soon, II is alleged. she discovered that
Patterson was dissipated. that he re-
fused to work and support her, and
that he was treating her brutaiiy. Pow
erty, TO the point or starvation. led to
her finally consentiuE. A. is alleged. To-
the infamous proposals Of her husband
that she was to take a trip to Europe
with the former benefactor. She alleged
that Patterson received 1900 on this
occasion.
When she returned from Europe. Pat
tersOn continued TO treat her brutally
and she sought the divorce courts. and
Patterson then brought suit Tor afiema-
tion of affections against Emil Strauss
and this act led 10 her act of murder
a few days later when she met him on
the streets Of Denver.
In summing up the case, her own
words are: Il have told my story. Il
seems a strange. unusual one. We'll.
IN my heart. ] believe II is the old
story Of other women. at least in thc
chapters leading Up 10 the final Tragedy.
They keep their s0rrow hidden beneath
smiles and laughter Fate ran mine
out"
He saw the shooting.
The only known eye witness 10 tho
shooting was placed on the stand to-
day. He is a. =. Shugart. carpenter,
whose home is near the spot where
Patterson was killed
On the morning of september 20
last. he testified, he was stepping from
a shed in the rear Of his home when
he heard two shots fred IN rapid Sue
cession- Looking In the direction from
which the sound came, he saw, some
800 feet away. a man upon his hands
and knees and woman, revolver IN
hand. standing over him.
Il shouted to her TO stop" said Shu-
CART. "and Immediately she shot again.
The man lurched forward on his face
and stifened out. Running around the
house. I saw the woman STOPPING over
the PROSTATE form. AS I approached.
she ran into the house in front OF
where the shooting had taken place.
when / reached the man he was
still gasping. 7 turned him over and
asked who he was and what had hap
pened but he was beyond speech"
when you turned the man over. did
you find anything p" asked Special
Prosecutor Horace @. Benson.
Il found a revolver" Shugart re-
piled.
The witness here Identified the re-
volver.
Shugart then described how he had
entered the house 10 which the wom-
an had fled. had found her In a chair
in the sitting room. apparently iu
faint but how. when ne unbuttoned
her Jacket to search her for weapon
she opened her eyes and looked at
him.