Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-11-27
MURDER SCENE RE-ENACTED
Mrs. Patterson Compelled to Illus
trate Killing Before Jury,
PASSES THROUGH LONG ORDEAL
slayer of Husband, UnshRkeu by
Attorneys savage Questioning,
Denies states version of
Shooting.

DENVER, Nov. 26-Cyouched on one
knee on the court room floor. with Spe-
cial Prosecutor Horace @. Benson stand
ing over her, hfs right arm poised for a
biow-the attitude in which she had testl-
fled her husband was when she fired
the shots that took his life-Gertrude
Gibson Patterson yesterday re-enacted be-
fore the jury the scenes OF the moment
that brought her TO trial for her iifo. 1t
was near the close Of a long ordeal,
'And he swung his right arm for an
other blow?' asked tho prosecutor. y,
Yes yes" and her breath came fast.
land he looked like demon"
"And you shot?"
'Yes, yes; l don't know how many
times"
''And you shot him in the back?'
That was all. A little shuddor ran over
the crowded court room. The witness
ton began anew.
Against Mrs. Patterson's version OF the
shooting the state is content with the
testimony of the physicians who per-
formed the autopsy and the mute evil
dence Of the dead mans clothes, thrown
In heap under table in front OF the
MlLNtES GndlIs DUN hHON hHaN AAo bhbgAo
entered tho back. One went through his
right shoulder, the other through his
heart
states version of Killing.
lust before Mrs. Patterson had been
asked to show how the shooting had oc-
CURED the state had placed before the
jury it's version OF how Patterson met his
death.
when your husband told you that he
would not dismiss his alienation suit
against Emil w. Strouss didn't you say.
I told you Saturday that IL you wouldn't,
I'd kin YOU and didn't he start to run
and didn't you shoot him in the back,
and while he was on his hands and knees
before you, crying, Oh, my God, my Godl'
didn't you put the muzzle OF your gun
within a few inches OF this coat that he
was wearing and shoot him through the
heart 7"-and Mr.. Benson thrust almost
n her face the coat her husband wore az
his death, his finger on ono of the
powdcr-burned bullet holes in the hack.
She did not shrink. mo. sir, no, SIR.
That's lle," she replied.
Taking up the purchase OF a trunk by
Mrs. Patterson, on which she had caused
to be imprinted the initials &c. c." Mr..
Benson inquired why she had not used
her initials as a married woman.
Because I was expecting TO secure a
divorce and resume my maiden name, -
was the reply, somewhat defiantly.
WHAT You did this az the time you
were writing endearing letters 10 your
husband, telling him to take care of his
health, that you were coming TO him
Mi
must never be separated again not even
a night from your soul mate"
Yes. Mr.. Benson" still dsfiantly.
Admits Chicago Trip.
The prosecution secured an admission
that the defendant took trip 20 Chicago
| In the midst OF her work OF preparing
the Denver bungalow, 20 which she had
advised her husband he would better not
come for week or two until IL was com
pletely furnished and arranged.
"Are you aware that during your abb
sence your husband did visit the bunga-
low, and that he .ound a letter addressed
70 YOU, and which, IA his anger he tore
10 pieces?'
I Mr. Benson produced the letter. pieeed
together II was addressed 20 Dearest
Gertrude" and was signed ''E. W. So
the initials OF Emil W. strouss OF Chi
oago.
The witness denied all knowledge OF the
letter.
! A letter written by Patterson on july
10 last, 20 hts wife, was identified. II
read in part:
Dear Gertie: 1 suppose you are pretty
well worn out since your moving. You
looked awful. awful tired last night. You
must not Try 10 do TOO much Tor me-
small az you are. You must 90 slow and
get back the weight you have lost"
The epistie express ID anxiety over the
writer's Illness and his inability 90 pro-
Gcontnued on Second PSgSl