The Indianapolis times., 1934-03-02

the mysterious Wynekoop tragedy.
That day was last Nov 81.
Il had arranged with DR.. John NJ
Birger to perform an operation on
a patient at GsNheld Park hospital"
she said, "and I spent the entire
morning there"
Il returned home about 1 O'Clock
and had lunch with Rheta. She
said friend had asked her to go
walking and I encouraged her to
do so. but she said she would go
out alone, if at all ana buy some
sheet music"
Catches Breath, Rests.
DR.. Wynekoops recital was inter-
rupted frequently as she caught her
breath and rested. A short re-
cess came at this point to give her
more, time to recover her strength.
She did not weep, but her voice was
taut indicating great emotional
strain.
Conviction might carry the death
penalty.
Il was about to leave when 7 gave
71eta two lii'f and a 50-cent piece
When 1 left she still was at home
but expected to go down town. I
went to the postoffice, then to New
mans hardware store, then back to
Garfield park hospital, to see a
patient. Then I walked home. 1t
was about o'clock.
II entered through the basement.
where I left my hat and coat (not
far from the private Office where
the body was found and went up
stairs, calling Rheta. She did not
answer.
Doctor Breaks Down.
Il prepared dinner, setting a
place for Rheta When she did
not come. Miss HenneSsy a. board
err and 1 ate alone. After dinner,
Miss Hennessy went to the drug
store for some prescriptions for Tse,
When she returned, she was COM
planning of a stomach disorder and
I went to the basement for some
medicine for her.
Il opened the door of the private
office and switched on the lights"
Here DR.. Wynekoop broke down
and wept Her continued description
of the death scene was given be-
tween sobs that shook her slight
frame pitifully.
I saw Rheta-on-the--op operating
table.
The head was exposed, a blanket
was over the body. I walked around
the body and saw the pistol near
her hand. She was the very pic
ture of death"
When she had composed herself
she said she returned to Miss Hen
messy, called a doctor, who called
an undertaken, and finally the po-
lice about 10 p. m. This was nearly
two hours after she found the body
The frail defendant was carried
into the courtroom and placed upon
the witness stand by bailiffs before
the jury was seated Flashlight
bulbs f1ickered like lightning in the
brief period before the court for
mally came to order and Attorney
Smith began to question DR.. Wyne-
koop.
You name is DR.. Alice Lindsay
Wynekcop?" asked Attorney Smith
as he opened the dramatic pro-
ceeding5.
Yes, answered the physician.
Her voice was low and weak, hardly
audible above the rattle of street
cars passing in the street below.
You are how old?" the question:
ing went on.
"SiXty-three, said DR.. Wynekoop.
Her voice broke.
Rheta's Father Present
The defense attorney led his client
through an account of her early
life. She was visibly affected as she
recalled the scenes of her youth.
The courtroom was quiet and in
tense.
The crowd was composed mostly
Of women. Many of them were
young matrons, strikingly dressed
and in sharp contrast to the somber
garb Of the defendant as she pre-
sented her own defense against the
charges of murder.
Seated in the front row, only a
few feet from the witness stand, was
Burdine Gardner of Indianapolis,
father of the slain Rheta He was.