New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-02
GRACE SHOT HIMSELF,
HIS WIFE TELLS JURY
Says They Were Struggling tor
a Pistol with Which he
Wanted to Shoot Her.
TELLS OF ANOTHER WOMAN
Once Threatened Her Life Tor
Insisting He Go to Work,
She Declares-He Rid
icules Story.

Atlanta. Aug. with the cynical
face of her husband glaring at her
from the pillow of his cot Mrs. Daisy
Opie Grace told her story to-day 10 the
jury that is to decide if she is guilty oil
the charge of attempting to kill Grace
"I did not shoot Mr.. Grace, and he
knows It. As God is my judge that Is
the solemn truth" she exclaimed,
dramatically, and Grace's lips parted
in cynical smile. 1t was remark
able story, told In q calm, even voice.
without a pause, as though II had Deeh
well rehearsed. Mrs. Grace occupied
almost an hour in telling her story. and
at its conclusion the defence rested
AS she did not make the statement
under oath the prosecution was denied
the privilege of examination.
The state then put on one or two wit
nesses in rebuttal and rested.
Five hours are to be divided by the
two sides in summing up. The case Is
expected to go to the jury about noon
tomorrow.
Efforts Of the prosecution TO have
Grace sworn to rebut the statement OF
the accused woman did not succeed.
Judge Roam ruled that under the Geor-
gia law a husband was not competent
10 testify against his wife
Were Souffina for Pistol.
Mrs. Grace declared. IN her state
nent, that Grace shot himself during a
scuffie with her for possession of a
pistol with which he was trying to
shoot her. 1t was not the first time he
had attempted TO kill her, she said.
Last summer, after she had made her
will I'm his favor at his insistence, she
said he tried to throw her overheard
from a steamer on which they were
travelling from New York to st. Johns.
Some time after that in Atlantic City
che testified. he held a pistol at her
mead, declaring nc would kin her if she
did not stop talking to him about going
to work. She said he had beaten her
and choked her frequently.
From the time she met him until tile
day of the shooting she said she had
given him $1,000 in cash.
Soon after they came 10 Atlanta, last
November, Mrs. Grace said she began
70 realize her husband was neglectinS
her. Another woman began calling him
up over the telephone, and when she
would say anything TO him about II he
As h..
when they quarrelled, she declared she
was careful not to arouse his anger.
Constant Drain on Her Funds.
Then Grace went into the building
business, but with such poor success
that he was constantly draining on her
money. Finally he prevailed upon her
TO give him power Of attorney to go TO
Philadelphia and sell her home. He
was TO leave on the morning Of the
shooting, she going to the home of his
mother to stay during his absence
Grace awoke that morning feeling bad
". and she suggested that they defer
their departure until the next day.
His manner was very suspicious"
she said, and l made up my mind that
he was trying to get me out of Atlanta
so ne could take woman with him,
OF, worse still into my own home
She said Lawrence, Grace's partner,
called UP about IL o'clock and asked
her to tell Grace he had just received
sum Of money and things were looking
brighter. Mrs. Grace said she com
,nented that he could wait before sell
ing her home il business was picking
I'D. "At this suggestion, he raised his
voice very loudly, cursing and abus-
ing me-"
She said she was convinced there was
q woman connected with the trip, and
told Grace as much. LAS said this"
she continued, Grace was lying on the
bed. His coat was hanging just be-
hind where he was lying" She said
she took out Of the pocket of the coat
the power Of attorney papers she had
given TO him, which she intended to
throw in the fire. When Grace saw
what she was doing he jumped out of
bed and grabbed her In the ensuing
scuffle the shooting occurred.
"Oh, Gene. are you hurt?" she said
she asked. She stated that he replied:
Told Wife to Get Out Of Here.
Il have only got scratch. All /
want you to do is to hush and get out
of here"
She said she wanted to call up doc
tor but Grace refused 10 permit her,
and insisted she should go. He said:
IF this thing should get out in
neighborhood like this all my business
and social prospects would be gone for
ever" She said he told her TO take
the pistol with her, lock the doors, and
he could slip out to see a doctor after
dark. She said she left the pistol
downstairs, because she could not get
It in her handbag. Then she went to
Newman. Before she left she said he
made her kiss Bible and swear she
would never tell what had happened.
Grace's only comment after his wife
had finished her story was: 1T sounds
slim TO me. Doesn't 1t to you?"