Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-11-25
STATE SCORES POINTS.
Story Of Mrs. Patterson Weakened Un.
der Cross Examination.


Denver, Nov. 25.-Against the two
vital points Of the story Gertrude Glib
son Patterson, charged with the MUIR
der of her husband. told upon the wit
ness stand, the cruelty and abuse Of her
husband and the charge that he had
sold her for $500 to her former adj
nirer, Emil w. Strouss. Chicago mil
.lionaire, with whom she made trip
to Europe, Special Prosecutor Benson
Yesterday afternoon directed three
hours of merciless cross examination.
And the state made more than a pass
ing impression.
Led to repeat various instances of mis-
abuse and forced to declare that, ma
turally at the time she felt toward him
the greatest Of indignation and con-
tempt, she was confronted by letters
she herself had written to her husband
on dates but a few days subsequent to
those on which she had declared the
assaults upon her had been made.
These letters We're couched In terms
Of deepest affection, models of what a
devoted wife would write to an affec-
tionate husband.
On the trip to Europe with Strouss,
a trip undertaken, she had said. at the
urgent demand Of her husband. who
received $1,500 from Strouss. the state
put an entirely different construction
and wrung from the witness admis-
sions that materially strengthened the
theory 1T advanced.
Under the gruelling of the special
prosecutor the mask of importabulity.
that Mrs. Patterson has worn thruout
the early days of the trial vanished
completely. She ran the gamut of
emotions Twice she broke down and
wept, while at other times doubt. scorn
and indignation held her. Offended
dignity was often her attitude and she
used it to good advantage.
Reviewing her early life in Sandoval.
ILL.,, Prosecutor Benson wrung from
Mrs Patterson an admission that when
she was about IA years old she had
been expelled from school. but not fer
immoral conduct. she declared, as he
had intimated. He then endeavored.
to get Mrs. Patterson
to admit that she had been the inmate
of resort at 1O1S Chestnut street. st.
Louis.
Letters Were Affectionate.
He asked Mrs. Patterson If she had
divorce in July, 1910. and added:
you took this step because of the
treatment you had suffered at ?your
husbands hands?'
II did,
You then felt indignant against
your husband?''
IT did,
Here Mr.. Benson handed her let
Ut ~, tnl cIo 1,I
ten to Patterson, then at a sanatorium
near Chicago, only short time after
she had consulted her lawyers. The
letter was read to the jury. In 1t Mrs.
Patterson called her husband her soul
mate" and said:
''If you did not sign the paper my
lawyer has this afternoon I will come
to you as soon as am very unhappy
and you are the only cure"
The witness showed no trace OF en-
barrassment as the prosecutor read this
letter.
'Then Mr.. Benson led her over the
story Of her husbands alleged abuse
until Patterson entered Denver sana-
torium.
Another letter written June 30, 1911.
was handed Mrs. Patterson. It read In
part:
"My Dear Little Pet: Yours just re-
ceived. Now you must not worry and
feel there is q responsibility on you. for
there Is not take all the responsible
ity on my own shoulders. You will be
happy when you step into your own
little bungalow. Just be happy Charlie.
and the way to be happy Is to know
that you have got the best little loving