San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-11-18
WOMEN
CLASH IN
SUPREME
BATTLE
Fiance Comforts Suzanne
in Trial on Charge of
Staying Ex-husband.
By BESS CARROLL
Woman against woman

1
Men have fought the bat
ties of the race-but when
the case of Suzanne Craw-
ford went to trial Wednes-
day, two women met in the challenge
Of a stern, uncompromising struggle.
An old, white-haired mother
A pretty, young girl.
Hurled by fate against each other,
where before they were friends and
kin, Suzanne Crawford and the
mother of the man she killed must
face the battle of the law together
but on opposite sides.
BARRIER BETWEEN THEM,
+ Not many months ago the kind,
blue eyes Of Clara Crawford dwelt
fondly on the pretty face of Suzanne,
her sons wife. Suzanne had won
the only son of Clara Crawford-bur
her mothers heart was glad because
in her loss he had gained happiness
and love.
Today they sit together in the
courtroom, carefully avoiding each
others glance. There is q barrier be-
tween them nova narrow mound Of
earth where they buried Clara Craw-
ford's son not long ago.
Facing the crucial day of her life,
Suzanne Crawford, who shot her ex-
husband during a moonlight drive,
came to court prepared to play the
leading role in the drama she has
made. A few weeks ago she attended
a murder trial, so she could learn 20
play this part we'll.
SUZANNE FRIGHTENED.
But though she was outwardly calm,
carefully well dressed, vivacious and
joking with friends, she hid her hands
because they were cold and trembling.
"Yes, I'm scared" she admitted.
"Once before when was nervous
had my heart tested. 1t was going
120 beats a minute. It's going that
fast or faster now.
sim just not used to the court
house-not immune 10 its atmosphere.
It reminds me of a doctors office. /
don't know how I'm going to stand the
first part of the trial. But won't
show how scared I am IL can help it,
or let anyone see me cry, that's so
silly"
FLANCE WITH HER.
Suzanne explained that her stoical
manner is an inheritance from her
Welsh father and a part of the train
ing she received at home, where she
was taught to disguise her feelings.
But in spite Of her stoicism Suzanne
seemed thankful for the presence of
her fiance. Prentice NJ. Henley of
San Antonio, who accompanied her to
the courtroom. She declared that we'd
ding bells would not ring for her "for
good WHILE" for a reason she said
the trial would reveal.
Alone with her daughter, Miss Zena
Crawford, Mrs. Clara Crawford, moth
er of the slain man, sat attentively |
during the preliminary proceedings of
the court. Not the ghost of smile
touched her lips-the look OF grief
that was craven on her face did not
change.
WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN.
Only once she spoke Of her son, and
of her sons wife.
'He was my only boy" she said.
Tears trickled down the lines Of her
face. 'My only son."
Mrs. Crawford spoke the word "Su-
zanne" kindly and quietly, but it was
only to remark that she had noticed
her ex-daughter-in-law in court. They
did not speak.
And as these two-the gray-haircd
woman and the pretty young girl
their forces on opposite
sides, veteran warriors Of the court
room said that the trial of Suzanne
Crawford would be battle not be-
tween men, but between Suzanne and
Clara Crawford-woman against wom-