Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-13
Arbuckle in Court
(continued from PAGE one)

his attorney a continuance to Fiji
/ day was obtained and the prisoner
was returned to his CELL
Representatives of the district at
torney's Office continued their ques-
tioning of those known to have at
! tended the Arbuckle party last Hon
(, day and from them. district Attor-
ney Brady stated was obtained evil
| buckle at his trial. Among those
questioned today was Mrs. Sidi Writ
! Sprecktes. widow of John D. Spree
kles, Jr.
Mrs Spreckles told the district
attorney that she was informed over
/ the telephone last Friday by Mrs.
I belmont that the young actress was
! in serious condition in local hos
! pital. Mrs. belmont asked Mrs.
! Spreckles to telegraph. Henry Lehr
man in New York concerning Miss
Rappes condition. After the tele-
| gram had been sent Mrs. Spreckles
| told the district attorney that she
called at the hospital and saw Miss
Rape.
/ Mrs Spreckles said she was not
sure Miss Rape recognized her, but
she said to Mrs. Spreckles:
"Oh. to think that ! led such a
quiet life and to think that 1 should
get into such a party"
| Later in the day Mrs. Spreckles
said she returned to the hospital
| had sent to Lehman. On her ar
rival at the hospital Mrs. Spreckles
said the Rape girl was unconscious
and the telegram was not read to
! her.
Mrs Spreckles told the district at
| torney that she then called on DR..
James L. Gordon, pastor of the First
Congregational church and asked
him to offer prayers for the dying
girl. Mrs Spreckles met Miss Rape
( in this city in 1915, she said.
/ Joyce Clark, cafe entertainer,
was summoned to the Office of the
captain of detectives after it was
! learned that she had been invited
to Arbuckle's party.
! ) Miss Clark said she went as far
as the lobby of the hotel but de-
/ cided not to go to Arbuckle's rooms.
She met Mrs. belmont the next day.
she said and Mrs. belmont gave her
the details of the party and the al
legged attack.
Before an inquest into Miss
RapPe's death began late today Ar
buckles attorneys. recognizing the
cancellations of showing of pictures
! in which the comedian was starred.
! issued q. statement asking the public
to withhold Judgment until the court
has returned its verdict.
| The statements said in part.
With a full knowledge of our DO
sltion as attorneys we assert that
: Roscoe Fatty) Arbuckle is innocent
of any and all charges made against
him in connection With the death of
Miss Virginia Rape; and that the
courts of California will sustain our
confidence in his innocence.
We appeal to the conscience and
! the. heart of the American public to
mold IN allegiance any judgment until
the courts have determined upon the
CUNT or innocence of our client We,
with complete knowledge of all
. lacts, know that he is innocent.
! The patrons of the silent drama
having a knowledge of the smiles
and the heart of Fatty ArbuckIe
VIII not believe that he is guilty of
the charge made against him until
proved in court of justice"
! The manager of the hotel st.
/ FRANCIS where Arbuckle had his
suite, was ordered today to appear
! before the district federal prohibit
ton enforcement officer to be oues-
tloned regarding the liquor said to
nave been consumed by the Ar
! buckle party
| Arbuckle's arraignment was con-
! Quoted in haze of f1ashlight smoke.
the flashlights popping with ma
! ch1ne-gun regularity.
His arrival in court was so long
| delayed that Judge O'Brien adj
; Journed the session and said he
would wait five minutes until the
! prisoner could be produced
Arbuckle appeared through side
/ door within the five minutes, fianked
| oy MS attorneys and the police
| guard. He appeared greatly defect
| ed and heavey many signs
/ Following the court session and
before he was taken back to his cell,
he was given an opportunity to go
! Into the judges chambers to make
and smoke a cigarette while the ar
raignmeht papers were being made
! out
| The little court room was packed.
! the spectators rising in their chairs
when Arbuckie appeared and re-
| naming in that position during the
brief session. There were few wom-
en- present
Arbuckie spent the afternoon at
the inquest. Tonight he went back
! to his cell to await the outcome of
a grand jury investigation in which
Mrs. belmont was expected to be the
leading witness
| Mrs. belmont did nor testify at
the opening session of the inquest
the district attorney saying t1at her
| appearance today previous to grand
jury session would handicap the
authorities. Instead. physic ans and
others told of Miss Rappe's removal
! from Arbuckle's suite, her treat
ment in another hotel room and lat
er at hospital. her death and the
| post mortem examination. The ply
! sicians were unable to say what the
exact cause of Miss Rappe's death.
| Harry d. Boyle assistant manager
of the hotel testified that when call