New-York tribune., 1921-11-29
Girl Lay Ill
In Bathroom.
Arbuckle Says
Comedian Gives Jury His
Account of Party Preced-
ing Death of Virginia
Rappe, Who Was a Guest
His Testimony Unshaken
Swears Mrs. belmont Put
Ice on Head of Actress:
Tells of Drinks and Dance
sseesal Dispatch to Tbs rriauna


SAN FRANCISCO. Nov. cs.-Roscoe
isrstty") Arbuckle to-day gave on the
~itness stand his own version of what
happened in Room 1919 of St. Francis
Hotel on the fateful day when Miss
Virginia Rappe met with an injury
.hst cost her her life a few days later.
Arbuckle has insisted all along that he
be permitted to tell the world just
what happened. His attorneys we're
doubtful. They feared the prosecution
would tear the fat comedians story
70 tatters in cross-examination. But
FATTY" prevailed over their conserva-
.ism and left the witness stand With
out any serious flaws having been
found in his story.
Arbuckle to-day presented himself as
the victim of chain of unfortunate
circumstances. Actions that had been
stamped by the state as unbelievably
vulgar and savage he explained into
acts Of mercy and chivalry. And the
state, after a merciless and exhaustive
examination, failed to shake him in
any part of his explanation.
Found Her on Bathroom Floor
Arbuckle's testimony was, in brief,
that he did not attack Miss Virginia
Rsppe when he followed her into
Room 1919 on Labor Day and locked
the door behind him; that he had
nething to do with the injury that
caused her death. He told of unex-
pectedly finding the girl lying on the
door of the bathroom, writhing in pain
snd Of ministering to her. He placed
her on bed and went to call the
other women in the party. He had
been in his bathrobe, pajamas and
slippers all day, and had gone into the
room to dress, he said, that he might
20 automobile riding with a friend,
Mrs. May Taube. He had locked the
door that he might not be disturbed.
Leo Friedman, Deputy District At
torney. went over and over the story
with him. but failed to trip up the de-
fendant at any point.
Friedman's questioning had but one
effect on Arbuckle--it stirred him to
anger.
Did you tell the doctor what caused
Miss Rappe's illncss?" Friedman de-
handed.
"No!" said Arbuckle, and he half
rose from his seat. "How could tell
him when l Didn't know?"
!Arbuckle was called to the stand
early in the morning session. He looked
quite solemn as he took the oath and
numbered into the chair. But when he
started to answer questions he began to
shift around in his seat and make ges-
lures with his hands.
In response to questions by Gavin
McNab, his chief counsel, he told how
he had arisen between 10 and II o'clock
on the morning of September s, in his
room, 1919, had bathed. shaved and put
on his pajamas, his bathrobe-a hand
some black plush thing lined with Ing
perial purple--and his slippers. He
was in his room about to dress when
Miss Virginia Rappe entered.
Miss nfn Blake, ias oihs1s Miss Provost, se Mrs. Del
mont, AL Semnacher," he said. IL
couldn't get away; l couldn't insult
them and GO in to dress just then.
at was 3 o'clock when / went into
room 1919. Mrs. Taube had como up
about 1880 and I told her that l had
loaned my car to Fred Fishback, and
that he was going out to the beach and
would be back as soon as possible.
Didn't Invite the Guests
"She asked me who all these people
know them | didn't invite them here
! believe, though, that l did introduce
her to Miss Rappe.
Miss Blake had to get to rehearsal
at o'clock. ! remember looking at
the clock on the mantel. l don't re-
member her coming back, though l re-
member seeing her again. Miss Rappe
got up and went into room 1919. She
had been sitting on the settee all after
noon. had been sitting nearby Oh
a chair, but / had been kidding around.
dancing, eating, drinking, playing the
monograph.
II remember distinctly it was 3
o'clock when l went into room 1919 to
dress. ! closed the door and locked
it. went into the bedroom.
"Miss Rappe was in The bathroom on
the floor. When I opened the door it
struck her. She was i'll. picked her
up and carried her to 1919, at her re-
quest, and placed her on a bed. She
asked for water and ] got her t%o
glasses. | washed her face. went
out minute and when l came rack
she was lying between the beds, .iav-
ing fallen off the one on which | ;ad
placed her.
"She was holding her stomach, while
held her head. l then went to 1920