New-York tribune., 1921-01-26
Murder, Says
Mrs. DreWes:
B1'ines Winces
Mother of Slain Dartmouth
Student, Halted by Emo
ton at Times, Testifies
Against Her Sons Chum
Smiles ut His Parent
Two Women Friendly in
Court; Witness Tells of
Cry for Help and Shot
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 25. Mrs.
Christian F. Drewes, mother of Elmer
c.. Drewes, the slain Dartmouth Col
lege senior, took the witness stand to-
day at the afternoon session Of the
trial of William P. Brines in Judge
William c. Ferguson's court Brines
Is charged with numbering Drewes the
night of October 16
All eyes in the courtroom. which
was packed to the doors. were riveted
upon the woman in black. whose emo
tlon at times prevented her from pro-
ceeding with her story, and whose
hands nervously wrung handkerchief.
Soon after beginning her testimony,
Mrs. Drewes was asked question by
Assistant District Attorney Gordon.
Mrs Drewes, who had been seated and
who had spoken in low tone, arose
and replied in loud, firm voice, as
she bent fixed gaze upon Brines:
mo. did not see my boy after $3.50
o'clock on Saturday night, October Is,
until he was brought home to me muir
dered."
William A. Gray, attorney for the de-
his feet to object, but Mrs. Drewes had
already said the words.
Brines averted his eyes while Mrs.
Drewes was on the witness stand. Not
once did he look at the mother of his
dead friend. But he flushed and swal-
lowed hard when she uttered the word
murdered" and when, evidently, he
felt her stare upon him. 1t was the
second time day that the otherwise
imperturbable Brines showed signs of
emotion.
The incident was the most dramatic
occurrence in the second day of the
trial. 1t was preceded by little scene
which also deeply impressed the spec
tators. They were shown that Mrs.
Drewes and Mrs. Annie Brines, mother
of the accused, still cherish a friendly
feeling for each other in spite of all
that has happened and is alleged to
have happened.
To reach the witness stand Mrs.
Drewes had to pass Mrs. Brines, who
was seated in the center of the first
row. AS she did SO the mothers ex-
changed smile Of sympathy and
nodded to each other. Again, while on
the stand, Mrs. Drewes more than once
looked over to Mrs. Brnes as if ask
ing confirmation of her statements.
And Mrs Brines each time smiled and
nodded approval.
The most significant testimony of
the day was that given by Howard L.
Heath, of Trenton, who was Drewess
roommate at Dartmouth and who, de-
spite strenuous objections by Mr.. GRAY
and after lengthy arguments by the rival
attorneys, was permitted by Judge Fer
guson to tell of a conversation with
the youth on the day he left for Phila-
delphia, October IS.
Heath declared Drewes told him that
he was going TO take the o'clock train
from White River junction to New
York, where he was going to see Char
lie" Schlcss, wealthy young friend
Then, the witness said, Drewes an
nounced he would go to Philadelphia
to get an automobile. Heath added tina.
Drewes told him Bill" Brines had in
formed him where he could get q car.
The witness identified bit of charred
paper as letter from Drewes. That
piece of black paper, it is said, was
among the letters B1ines burned
When Heath made his Identification
Rrines first showed signs OF being
moved. He gazed intently at Heath,
taking in every word he said He col
ored and dropped his eyes when the
witness recognized the handwriting on
the burned letter.
Mrs. Ellen Reeves. who lives about
one city block from where Drewes's
body was found, testified she heard a
shot about 10 o'clock in the evening.
She also saw an automobile race Dy