Evening star., 1948-12-17
Doctor Takes Poison
As Police Arrive 10
Seize Him in Staying
BY the Asseeiofed Press

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 17.-Detective
Sergt. Charles Beckman said today
that. DR.. Robert c. Rutledge, n,
swallowed several poison pills as
police arrived at his home to arrest
him for questioning in the fatal
stabbing Tuesday night of q St.
Louis Electric Co. employe in a
hotel room In Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The doctor, who is q resident
physician at st. Louis Children's
Hospital, is in a critical condition.
Sergt. Beckman said DR.. Rutledge
muttered phrases about having swal-
lowed poison pills, but was not able
TO add any coherent words.
Died of Stab Wound.
The body Of Byron c. Hattman,
designer employed at the Emerson
Manufacturing Co. here, was found
IN the Cedar Rapids hotel room by
Q maid Wednesday morning. There
was evidence Of a terrific struggle
and an inquest disclosed that Mr..
Hattman died of stab wound.
Sergt. Beckman quoted Mrs.
Rutledge, 23, as saying she had
been intimate with Mr.. Hattman
since July and that her husband
went to Cedar Rapids when Mr..
Hattman left the city Monday ito
have 1t out with him."
He said authorities sought to
question DR.. Rutledge after learning
from Mr.. Hattmans fellow employees
that the young doctor sought re-
venge for Mr.. Hattman's attentions
to Mrs. Rutledge.
Collapsed In Police Car.
Detective Capt. William Washer
said DR.. Rutledge was in the bath
room Of his apartment and took
the poison when his wife told him
police were there to arrest him.
DR.. Rutledge collapsed In a police
scout car en- route to police head
quarters and was taken to City
Hospital. His stomach was pumped
and chemical analysis Of the
poison was being made.
Mrs. Rutledge, under questioning,
said her husband returned home
early Wednesday with a black eye
and said he had been in a terrible
dght." She said he told her the
police might come to see him.
If they do," police said she quoted
her husband, you answer the door
and keep them in the living room"
Mrs. Rutledge told police her hus-
band did not know Mr.. Hattman was
dead until he read newspaper
accounts.
Police said they have not estab-
nshed any connection between Mrs.
Rutledge and picture frame as
sortment of chicken bones inscribed
lest you forget" The article was
found In Mr. Hattman's car. They
said 1t was intended as a souvenir
Of o picnic last summer.
Worked at Same Plant.
DR.. Rutledge is being held in a
hospital ward on q charge of being
q fugitive from Cedar Rapids from
o murder charge.
In her statement to police. Mrs |
Rutledge said she became acquainted
with Mr.. Hattman. a 29-year-old
UdCIlclOI, az EllcISOl1 ElcCUIlC WllcIc
they both worked in the armament
division.
Police said DR.. Rutledge had been
in Cedar Rapids on Monday. Decem-
Der 8. He returned last Monday and
registered at a hotel. Mr.. Hattman
went to Cedar Rapids each week as
part of his job.
They said a man answering DR..
Rutledge's description got into Mr..
Hattman's room while q maid was
cleaning. Mr.. Hattman's body bore
q stab wound inches deep in the
chest.
At Cedar Rapids, o preliminary
Information charging DR.. Rutledge
with hrst-degree murder was filed
by Assistant County Attorney Dave
Elderkin. A warrant was to be
mailed to Linn County Attorney
William Crissman of Cedar Rapids
who is in st. Louis.