Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-13

night, and the mir was raw and celd
In the early hours this morning. IN
spite of this, hundreds came from far
and near in every sort Of conveyance
The historic old courthouse, a land
mark connecting the present generation
with the early days of the county seat
was surrounded with parked automo-
biles of every size and shape and ue-
gree of modernness or antiquity. There
was a fair sprinkling, also. OF ancient
and more or less dilapidated buggles
and carry alls from the outlying tarins.
The snow afforded convenient ex-
cuse to leave the chores of back country
farms and drive to town for the big
murder trial, the most notorious that
had occupied the attention of West
moreland County for many years.
Within the stuffy courtroom we're
crowded literally as many men and
women ne could wedge themselves with =
, in doors. Others pressed close to the
windows outside, and large group
waited hopefully in the snow, in the
expectation that some of those within
might leave and their places open FOR
the first lucky conner.
Judge Chinn scarcely could force his
way into the bnilding through the press
of people when he arrived, shortly be-
fore 10 o'clock. His first act when be
took the bench, was to order the court
criers to clear the room Of It's surplus
spectators.
Aisles Cleared
The Judge deferred to public curiosity
to the extent of permitting some to
stand at the end of the room, but only
small proportion of the many who
were sandwiched there when he arrived.
The doors and aisles were cleared ruth =
| hA hn RI IN "a
lated themselves on getting even stand
ing room were turned out into the snow
with the unlucky ones already there.
Miss Knox was not present at The
beginning Of the trial, and is not cX-
pected unless she is subpOenaed az a
witness. She is IN prison at Richmond
on q special order of Judge ChInn. HC
issued this order on learning that
neither side had subpoenaed her. The
attorneys for the defense complained
about this today, before the trial be-
gun, saying 1t was necessary to have
her near so that she and her attorney
could be called into consultation.
Her lawyers. Harry VI. Smith. OF
Richmond, and Frederick Coleman, oi
Fredericksburg, were present when the
proceedings began, and watched vigil
antly for anything that might affect
| LutH ClltuJ o llltlSsls
Eastlake was led In q few minute:
before Judge Chinn came. and given 8
seat beside his counsel, in the far COR
ner in front Of the Judges bench. East
lake was still clad in his uniform as 6
chief petty officer of the United State,
| Navy, the uniform he wore when he wa.
arrested
The months of imprisonment and
worry have made a great change in hi:
appearance. When arrested his hail
was distinctly blonde. Today it wa:
visibly streaked with gray. His eye'
were red as with weeping. and HI
bshowed many traces Of nervousness
His family was near him to lend hin
their support. Mrs s. NJ. Eastlake
7140 Boyer street, Mt. Airy, Philadel.
phia, his mother, came into court early
and took a seat just behind the prisoner
but in the spectators chairs. She wa.
accompanied by Donald Eastlake. the
defendants brother. and his sister. Mrs
Mabel Chambers, 1882 Atwood avenue
Overbrook, and cousin, Reginald
Eastlake, of Obcrlin, o. The family
party spent the night at Colonia
Beach. driving to Montross early this
morning.
Eastlake's two children. Roger. Jr.
and Margaret, also are in MontrosS, bu
were not brought to the courtroom
They were playing on the street in tn,
snow for while early today, and tn,
magnet for many pitying eyes. The
children do not know that their mothcl
is dead, and their father on trial for hi.
life.
Mr.. Butzner. attorney for Eastlake
indicated before the trial began that tn