The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-12

MURDER CHARGE
PLACED AGAINST
MOVIE FALSTAFF
Roscoe "Fatty" ArbuckIe Ar
raigned in San Francisco Court.
Accused of Death of Actress by
Guest at s'Party."
) HELD WITHOUT BAIL
Battle of Legal Wits Now on to
Save "Fatty" From GalIows.
Host of Witnesses and Lingerie
Produced Against Him.

San Francisco, Sept. 12.-Following
the filing of a formal complaint by
Mrs. Bambine Maude belmont, charg-
ing Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle with the
murder, of Virginia Rape, motion
picture actress, the Falstaff of the
movies was arraigned this afternoon
before Police Judge Daniel O'Brien
and his case went over until next Fri
day at the request of his counsel and
on consent of District Attorney Mat
thew Brady.
Mrs. belmont, in a firm manner,
swore to the complaint and then col
lapsed. She had to be carried from
the court room. She was brought to
the court room by District Attorney
Matthew Brady and Captain of De-
tectives Duncan Matheson.
E. Was Guest at Party.
Mrs. belmont was one of those who
attended the fatal party and she as
sisted Miss Rape after the alleged
attack by Arbuckle.
Arbuckle's appearance in police
court was delayed until his Bertillon
measurement could be taken and he
could be photographed for the rogues'
gallery.
The Bertillons showed that his
weight is 266 pounds and his height
feet, 82s ainches. He gave his birth
place as Smith Center, Kan, and his
age as "a.
Counsel for Arbuckle were in con-
ference early today. but their rigidly
enforced rule of silence was followed
so that it could not be learned what
m owes they contemplated today to
bring about the freedom of their
that they might demand a preliminary
hearing upon arra;gnment in an ef-
fort to force the testimony of the state
into the open.
Torn Clothing Is Found.
Police today secured possession of
practically all of the clothing worn by
Miss Rappe on the day she attended
the fatal party. In addition to the
two silk garments held by Los Angeles
police, they took from the room of
Mrs. belmont a Panama hat she stated
Arbuckle wore at a -akish angle when
he opened the door of his room last
Monday at her demand; dress torn
on one side and pair of torn garters.
They were still seeking a shredded
pair of silk stockings.
Held without Bail.
Arbuckle is held without bail in the
hall of justice here. He was arrest eo
Hast Saturday night on his arrival from
Los Angeles and was booked on q
charge of murder. He is confined ir
a small cell. number 12, on the hal
of justice tier known IS felony row.
The Arbuck1e case. his connection II
any, with the death of Miss Rape, il
scheduled to be brought before the
Fra GRAND irIrxy
night A coroner's inquest into Miss
Rappe's death has been called fol
next Thursday.
Arbuckle has requested that non'
but his attorneys be allowed to see
him at the hall of justice. He declined
yesterday on the advice of counsel. t.
make any statement. His lawyers alsC
refused to make a statement or dis
| cuss the case in any way.
/ VIII Be Battle of Wits.
battle of wits, money and in
/ fluence was under way today TO sav.
| Roscoe Conklin (Fatty) Arbuckl'
/, from the gallows. Rallying to thu
| support of the state in its efforts Il
! convict the Falstaff of the movies
| friends of Virginia Rappe, mos
/ beautifully dressed woman in tn
movies" with whose murder Arbuckli
/ stands charged, demanded that jus
tice be done" And in behalf of tn,
| life of the party as Arbuckle wa
! known. not only in real life. but in ;
! Continued on Page Two.l