The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-21
Patterson W'oman'S Story Of Crime
 To Be CortradiCted
Damaging Letter, Written by Husband to Brother, Just Before His Murder, Will be Introduced as Evidence Against Wife
Special from United Press.)


 Denver, Nov. 21-Encouraged by the jury, Attorneys for both sides, in the trial of Mrs. Gertrude Gibson Patter- son. charged with murdering her hus- band, declared, today, that the open- ing statements probably would begin, this afternoon. In this case, the talk ing of testimony will start, early to- morrow.
 When court opened, 12 prospective jurors sat in the box. the prosecution and defense each having exercised one peremptory challenge: The selections of a jury was made easier when Judge Allen ruled that a talesman may serve who, having an opinion re- garding the case. is willing to set 1t aside on construction of evidence.
 Late yesterday afternoon, Special Prosecutor Benson raised the point and Judge Allen reversed himself and tai punishment. From the questions asked prospective jurors by Judge Hilton and counsel for the defense. 1t is evident that insanity and self-de- fense will be advanced by Mrs. Pat tersOn as justification for the killing of her husband.
 If Mrs Patterson was disturbed by
 
 ment contained in the states ques- tions to talesmen, she did not show it.
 Although the defendants parents have been encouraging her, having ar rived last night, they were not in court, today. Mrs. Patterson explain. ed that her mother was not well enough to stand the long court ses- sions, declaring, however, that her parents would be in court, when l most need them"
 She was much pleased by remark made by Frank Henwood, slayer of Tony Von Phul, of St Louis, who is will be acquitted without the jury leaving the box"
 Mrs. Patterson appears to rely ab- solutely on the effect upon the jury of her story that her husband sold her for $1 800 to Emil Strouss, of Chicago. Special Prosecutor Benson is preparing to fight that story with the letters the victim, Carl s. Patter- son. wrote to his bHther. just before the tragedy.
 What the prosecutor believes is the strongest letter of all was tie last written by Patterson. It was ad- dressed to his brother. Perry, in Chi cago. and was dated. Saturday. Sept 22, two days before the tragedy. It read, in part:
 My wife has been asking me to come home at once and declaring she would withdraw her divorce suit If did so. told her of my intentions of going after that Jew in Chicago. She swore she would kill me if did, as she claimed it was all her fault, that she begged from the man and practically forced him to send her money. You know money is her God and she admits she did wrong, but claims no wrong on the mans part.
 "She was here several times. this week. trying to have me give her an answer and I promised l would give her one. on Monday.
 "She swears if fight this Jew she will perjure her very soul to save him as she lays the whole blame on herself. am just telling you what she is doing and saying 10 me"
 This letter is signed, "Chic" Patter- sons nickname. The Monday referred to in the letter is the date of the trag- edy. Patterson met his wife on that date and was slain by her. The state will allege that she killed him. not because of any abuse as she alleges, but because on that day he told her finally that he intended to Ego after Emil Strouss, the Chicago clothier. with whom she lived before marrying Patterson.
 Other letters to his brother and mother tell of threats made against his life by his wife and by an unnam- ed man The state will also probbaly introduce Patterson's private diary to counteract Mrs. Patterson's charges of cruleties. The diary is full of ex- nrassions of love and tenderness