Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-26
Mrs. Blanca De Saulles
Takes Witness Stand in
Own Defense.
ACCUSED OF MURDER
OF FORMER HUSBAND
Success of Plea For AcquittaI Believed
to Rest With Defendants Physical
Ability to Face GrueIIing Examina.
tion-Friends Fear Ordeal May Over.
tax Accused Womans strength -
Incidents Snow Unhappy Relations.

Mineola, N. Y, Nov. 26.-Mrs. Blanca
De Saulles took the witness stand this
morning when court opened and upon
her physical ability to face the Cruel
ling examination depends the success
Of her plea for acquittal of the murder
Of her former husband, John L. d.
Saulles, one time Yale football star and
, clubman.
Doubts that Mrs. De Saulles would
be able to bear up under the ordeal
were raised, following the visit Of her
physician to the Jail last night, when
it was said she has steadily lost
strength since her trial began week
ago.
She seemed pale today but COM
posure marked her attitude as she took
the stand. The court room was jammed
early and many were unable to gain
admittance.
Mrs. De Salllles' answers to the first
questions put by Henry A. Uterhart
her attorney, were uttered in such a
low tone that Justice Manning had to
urge her to speak louder. She testified
that in early childhood she fell while
playing in her home, striking her head
against a fireplace. Next the defend
ant, in reply to questions, told of her
meeting with De Saulles. at race
meeting, near Santiago, Chile, in 1902,
Of his subsequent visits to her mothers
home, Vina del Mar, the vineyard by
fbo l., 80 hat, l,,;o q
courtship and marriage the same year
in Paris.
Inherited Securities Worth 100000.
Mrs. De Saulles said she inherited
securities worth 100000 and shortly
after her marriage she gave them to
De Saulles. The witness then told of
her return to the United States with
De Saulles, and Of his buying her a
revolver while they were residing at
Larchmont, N. Y. She said her hus-
band told her that since she would be
alone at home most Of the time 1t
would be best for her to have the re-
volver for her protection.
Mrs. De Saulles identified the re-
volver, the same with which De Saulles
was shot. .
Continuing her story she said they
next went to South Bethlehem, Pa,
where her husbands parents, Major
and Mrs. Arthur B. De Saulles reside,
and where her son, John L. De Saulles,
Jr., was born on Christmas day.
"Were you happy there?" she was
asked.
1T wasn't very NICE" was the an
swer.
WAS your husband there much OF
the timer" asked Uterhart.
The witness then told Of an incident
which occurred during brief period
Of residence in Washington.
Other Attractions For Husband.
Il don't want you to mention the
name" said Uterhart, but tell us how
photograph which De Saulles showed
you in Washington was inscribed"
ITO Jack, with love from -"
she answered.
Mrs. De Saulles' testimony was in
terspersed by the reading Of several
letters by her attorney, which she said
she wrote to her husband from Bethle-
hem.
TITS so lonesome without you, don't
disappoint US again. Come Tuesday
without fail"; "Toodles and send all
the love In the world" were phrases
occurring in these missives. They
were signed Your devoted wife
daddy's girl"