Evening star., 1934-02-22
10OL0VE LETTERS
READ IN DEAN CASE
Medical Testimony Is Held
Up for Notes Written
by Kennedy.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
GREENWOOD, Miss, February %.
Medical testimony has been halted
In the murder trial of DR.. Sarah Ruth
Dean while the defense places in evil
dence more than 100 love" letters
written to her by DR.. John Preston
Kennedy, whom she is accused of
killing
The letters, some of which brought
ripples of laughter from spectators,
are being read by Nelson Taylor, a
friend of the Dean family. He ap-
preached the 100 mark when court
adjourned yesterday.
Previous to offering the letters the
defense sought to show the poison
with which DR.. Dean is alleged to
have spiked" high ball given to
DR.. Kennedy 10 days before his
death could have entered his system
in other manners.
Could Absorb Mercury.
DR.. Kennedy in dying statement
told of the high ball which he said
had a metallic taste. He began to
treat himself for poison shortly after
drinking 1t. Traces of the poison
we're found in his body by the State
chemist
Defense counsel asked DR. A E.
Gordin. consulting physician, whether
q doctor washing his hands with a
solution of the poison for period
of years could absorb some of 1t
into his system.
Yes" answered Gordin, adding he
Thought So when asked if an ex-
pert were TO examine his kidneys
after death whether minute amount
of the poison would be found.
The defense later placed Taylor on
the stand to continue reading letters
written by Kennedy to DR.. Dean.
Mrs. Bessie Barry Kennedy, divorced
wife of the surgeon, had testified 10
IAN affair" between the two,
My darling" Taylor began. OPEN
ing an envelope dated January l8
1892. 80 the break has really
happened between t-) and me-
you didn't think it would
happen. did you love you
more than ever your letters,
every one, are being destroyed
DIR. Dean Breaks.
Another penned shortly afterward
to Dr., Dean in LeweS, Del. said he
had received a letter from West
Point Mrs. Bessie Kennedys home).
In this letter Kennedy said: Some
lOenr,le 1ove fIyndarSnnroIh
have not YOU are my all,
what more can l say?"
DR.. Dean broke and tears dropped
from her eyes as a letter from Ken
nedy dated March ,, 1882, was read,
telling OF the death of her uncle. Tom
Dean
Shielding her eyes. her head bent
low. tears dropped into her lap. Jury
men could hardly sec the silent display
OF emotion. perhaps the mcst no,ce-
able that has marked her attitude
since the trial began.
Her sister, seated by her side. did not
see what happened. In a minute DR..
Dean wiped her eyes and Strengthened
up. The reading continued uninter-
rupted.
Visits Are Explained.
Kcnnedy'S letters later in March
took a different trend. He seemingly
was trying to explain having spent
several nights in the home OF a par
ticular friend OF his then estranged
wife.
He wrote that he didn't want to
offend this person and mentioned "she
does a great deal Of talking" The
specta tors laughed
subsequent letter told DR.. Dean
that "' these damn gOSiping
wcmen's tongues are loose at both
ends
Kennedy several days later repeated
that these women's tongues are going
full blast again since the separation
became known He predicted some
thing else would happen soon "and
they will leave me alone