Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-09-25
SHOCKED
WHEN TOLD Of
ACTRESS DEATH
Sernnacher Tells Court
Actor Admitted He
Had Administered Ice.
Defense Asks Only Few
Questions at Hearing;
Comedian Cheerful.

The day after the party in Ros.
coe (Fatty) Arbuckle's hotel
suite here, September 5, which
led to the death of Miss Vir-
ginia Rape, the comedian de-
scribed how he had administer
ed ice to Miss Rappe, which
caused a general laugh
among those who heard it, ac-
cording to testimony Saturday
by Alfred Semnacher in the
police court hearing of the
murder charge against Ar
buckle.
Semnacher said the CONVEX
sation took place in Arbuckle's
rooms at the St. Francis and
was heard by himself, Lowell
Sherman, Fred Fishbach, who
were present at the party, and
by the actors chauffeur, Harry
Mccullough.
ibid anyone express any remon-
stranceT' asked Assistant District
that nothing further was said about
Attorney Golden.
No. replied the witness who added
the incident and that he himself for
got to mention !: during the subse-
quent questioning by the police, cor
oner's and grand jury in San Fran
cisco. relating it for the first time to
the district attorney in Los Angeles
this week. The defense drew from
Semnacher the declaration that he
noticed nothing improper in Arbuckle's
conduct toward Miss Rappe Or any of
the other women at the party.
Hear Of Death.
Semnacher said the first he heard
OF Miss Rappe's death was on the eve
ming OF September 8 in the presence
of Arbuckle, Sherman and Fishbach
IN the office of Sid Grammar in Los
Angeles. all of them, including Ar
buckle, expressing regret over the fate
of the girl, he stated.
We thought it was an unfortunate
affair, the cause of which We were
unable to fathom," Semnacher added.
He explained that after discussion
of the procedure Arbuckle called the
chief of police in San Francisco by
telephone and asked if he was wanted.
Then it was decided to return to
San Francisco, the start being made
several hours later in two automo-
blles. the party consisting of Arbuckle.
Sherman, Nschbaeh. the comedians
manager, Lou Anger. his attorney.
Frank Dominguez and the chauffeur.
On the discussion in Arbuckle's
rooms the day after the affair, Sem |
nacher said, the intoxication of some |
Of the participants was discussed |
According to his testimony Friday most !
of the guests only had coffee to drink. |
Semnacher was asked only a few |
questions by the defense and the hear
ng then was adjourned until Monday |
morning.
Actor Cheerful.
Arbuckle was cheerful as he came !
INTO court, and grinned broadly as
District Attorney Brady joked about
heir comparative ability to squeeze
between tables and chairs in the court !
'oom.t
The film comedian also greeted
morning." His wife and her mother
'at beside him.
semnacher testified that Miss
aappe was in good health until she
vas found in distress in Arbuckle's
uite.
did you ever see her with her hair
own, standing in doorway in the
Arbuckle suite, saying Look here,
sossie?' asked Isador Golden. the as
istant district attorney, who exam
ned the witness.
mo" replied Semnacher.
Semnacher said that he met Ar
uckle, Lowell Sherman, Fred Fisch-
ach in Hollywood the night of Friday. i
eptember 8. the day of Miss Rappe's /,
cath to come to San Francisco.
Arbuckle, Sherman. Fischbach and
newspaper man then met in an office s
/ Los Angeles. Semnacher continued. II
here Miss Rappe's death was discuss I
as an unfortunate accident" which
ley We're unable to understand. It Il
as then discussed what to do, the wit *
ess said, and Arbuckle finally tele- {
honed to the chief Of police in San '
rancisco to inquire il he was want \
!. Arbuckle said nothing about be- I(
E alone IN room with Miss Rappe, S
to Semnacher. r
Questioned by Reporter.
Semnacher declared that he was Ia
orried about Miss Rappe's death, and t
though he heard the newspaper man r
TX Arbuckle if it was true he had n
ZEN in room with Miss Rappe. the
lly reply he could remember having II
,ard was an expression of regret By Ia
rbnckle over the girls death. In
The morning after the, drinking v
lrty at the st. Francis, Semnacher
id he met Arbuckle in. his apartment, Ia
(Contlnued on Pa90 rol u