Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-12-04
Scandal in Massa chusetts.

law suit resembling that of Mr. Tilion
| against Mr. Beecher has closed in Pliisheld,
| Massachusetts. DR.. Lorenzo Waite was the
| foremost homeopathic physician in Berkshire
county, and was socially and professionally
well regarded. Wealth and reputation he had
accumulated in abundance. In 1867 he medi-
| caIly treated the wife of e. r. Wilson, and she
claims that while in a condition so feeble as TO
be easily impressed he replaced her husband in
her favor and affection During the next four
| wears Dr. Waite called often and regularly upon
| Mrs Wilson. One malady was scarcely cured
before, according to the attentive practitioner,
another attacked her. The husband paid the
bills regularly, and if his version OF the mat
ter is truthful, suspected nothing until the wiie
confessed to him that she gultily loved her
medical adviser. Mr.. Wilson welt 10 Dr.
Waite in IL fury, but what happened in the
interview is disputed Waite says Wilson de-
mnnded two thousand dollars as a salve for his
wounded honor. Wilson says that Waite vol
unfairly offered the money. There is little
doubt, however that more or less money
changed hands upon some basis OF settlement.
Dr.. Waite claims, in spite of this, that he is
innocent, explaining that the fear OF damaged
reputation induced him to buy silence Yet
silence was not strictly maintained, and Pitts
field was soon full of whsperings against the
popular physician AT length the social ex-
plosion came in d suit for twenty thousand dol
lars damages brought by Mr.. Wilson for the
alleged seduction of his wife. DR.. Waite was
so badly scared that he hid away for few
days, but took courage afterward and began
bold defence. He had many friends who
firmly believed that blackmail was the only
crime involved, and the sentiment of the county
was about evenly divided.
The trial, which lasted week, was a nota-
hle legal contest Congressman Dawes was
the counsel for the plaintiff, and his local po-
litcal opponent, Mr. Marshall Wilcox, was en-
gagged on the other side. Mrs. Wilson adhered
to the cause of her husband, and her testimony
was full and circnmstantial. She even pro-
duced amanacs, covering the years of alleged
misconduct, in which the guilty days were
marked. Her story was adhered 10 in spite OF
tantalizing cross-examiDaiion. The defence
met it with the counter charge of backmail.-
Mr.. Dawes made an eloquent address to the
jury for the prosecution, emphasizing DR..
Waite's fright, yacillation and expenditure OF
money for silence as proofs Of guilt. Mr.. Will
cox, for the defence argued that these things
are natural in an innocent man in danger OF
undeserved infamy and that the success of
blackmail did not always depend upon the
guilt of the victim. He also said that if Will
| con had believed his wife guilty, he would not
have con6oned her crime, nor have left Waite
unshot Judge Rockville, in his charge, said
that no controversy of law was involved. II
was simply a question as 20 who had told the
| truth.
| The jury agreed upon verdict Of $40 600
| for Mr.. Wilson. An effort will be made by
the Doctors counsel to get new trial granted
| on the ground of excessive damages If this
fails it will probably be carried to the Supreme
| Court on exceptions.