The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-12
FRANK RATCLIFFE'S MESSAGE
SAID MOTHER WAS DYING

Mrs. Walker was followed on the
stand by Frank Radcliffe. her eldest
brother. He came forward with a
smile on his face.
lie said that he was twenty -ninc
years old. and that he had been a travel
ing salesman since he WAS eighteen.
He said that he was more Interested
any of tho family. and had helped
support her and educate her before she
started working for herself. He re-
lated having known Walker for sevc-
raj years, OF being friendly with him,
and OF once trying TO help him secure
q position through Mr.. Duggins. who
had testified. He said he knew moth
ing of his sisters engagement.
He arrived In Richmond from a bust
ness trip on April %. after he had
wired ahead that he would come home
by the end Of the week. He telephoned
to the Prudential Insurance Company.
and learning that his sister was not
there, went home. He was met by
John Ratcliffe's nanny" and then
saw his sister Alice, who told him his
mother was dying. He asked what was
the matter, and she said. Betty has
got married, and nearly killed mamma"
He told OF trying 10 locate Mrs.
Walker, of sending 4 telegram to Alex
andria to intercept her. as he had heard
sho was on her way To Baltimore.
The telegram was, Come home to-
night ii possible Mamma, l think,
is dying. Everything will be all right"
He finally located Mrs. Walker At the
Walker home. and got her to the tclc-
phone. He asked her tn como out at
once, but She told him that her father
ph nj Itnr tn c.at I,n
place again.
Snid He'd Take Her Back.
That's all right" he answered.
I'm here now. I'll stand by you"
She asked If Grant could come with
her, but he replied that Mrs. Rat
cliffe was TOO nervous. and that he
had better not come. They met 1t
Seventh and Broad Streets, as all had
testified, and after refusing the Of
fer OF the Bauers' automobile they de-
cided to go home on n street car. He
said he heard Walker say to his wife
in an undeTtonc. when are YOU com
ing back, Betty"
I'll bring her back. said" tho wit
ness testified. He said that all tho
conversation about the marriage on
the way home was that he asked his
sister why she had done ii, and she
said She didn't know. She appeared
10 DC anxious ABOUT ncr mother, the
witness testified. Then he told OF the
incident in the dining room, where tho
girl rcnounced her husband, and asked
to be taken away from Richmond, and
OF the arrangements 10 take her to the
Wadsworths. Mr.. Wexford came after
being called in. and Mrs. Walker told
him shc didn't want to live with Grant.
The witness said that llc said nothing
to the girl to keep her away from her
husband.
On Cross-EI aminntion.
On croSs-eXamination, the witness
told Mr.. Wendenburg that he did not
call doctor to his mother. lie said
a physician had been to see her. MIR.
Wcndenburg stressed the point how
ever. that though Frank Radcliffe tcs-
titled he thought he was going to lose
his mother, he did not call Il physi-
cian., but did send n telegram TO In
terccpt his sister.
what was tho necessity OF saying
in the telegram. Everything will BIO
all rightT asked Mr.. Wendonburg.
"l'or some reason sho got married
without telling any OF US. and 1 thought
she might feel that wc would not want
her after that
Did you obpect to walkers"
No"
Did you want her to marry at allg,
Eyes. II she got a man worthy Of
"a ',pe you think Mr.. walker is all