The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-08-08
HOME MATTERS.
The Mccormack Rape Case.

| Inc casc ol uc Tcople V. y. +hcN 'ha'h,
charged with outraging the person of one Alice
Golbet, was called for trial on Monday afternoon
The entire day was consumed in procuring a ju-
~, as follows: X. =. Hoge, +. q. Weaver, r. 5
Leslie, l.. Marks, VIM. Cuthbcrson, John Collins,
| r. Poundstonc, j. X. Spencer, John Dagger, L.
Gum, Thad. Rude, Chas. II. Ioag; and the case
was really commenced on Tuesday morning.
THE ACCUSED,
Nicholas Mccormack, is man about five feet
seven inches in height, well formed, light eyes,
dark hair, and of an intelligent appearance; is a
married man, and apparently about thirty years
of age. THE LITTLE GIRL,
Alice Gorbet, is very small for her age, appear
ing more like a weak and puny child of seven or
eight years than the object of an outrage, which,
if committed, should imprison the perpetrator
for all time to come. Small in stature, delicate
IN health and timid in appearance, this mere
child entered the witness box and told her story
| Her direct examination lasted until noon, and
from two until five in the afternoon was she sub
jectcd TO rigid cross examination by Mr.. Bull
1t was the cause of much comment by eminent
members Of the bar, as well as spectators, that
her conduct and intelligence surpassed that of
any child ever before seen upon the witness stand
in our Circuit Court.
Following her came Liz2y Harding, a girl aged
twelve years, who testified to sleeping with Alice
on the night of the first attempt at outrage by
Mccormack Her evidence substantiated that
of Alice as to the conduct of the accused on the
first night On her cross-cXamination she con.
Quoted herself in Il manner which must have
convinced ibp i1trr tbDt La ..1I .ho
truth.
Medical testimony from Doctors Stout, Dyer
and Hard was next introduced as to the condi.
ton of the child at the time of their examina-
ton, about July 4th.
Mrs. Wilson, an aunt of the irltie girl next ties
titled as to her condition in IuLe.
Mr.. Gorbct father of Alice, was next called,
and testified to the FACT that the defendant had
offered him the sum Of eleEea haudrcd dollars,
provided neither he or the little girl would APP
pear against him, stating that " if Alice swcars
against me will have to 90 to Joliet"
This witness also subotantiutcd many state
mcnts made by Alice in in her testimony.
The next Witnes, was Mrs. Smith, an aunt of
the little glrl, whose testimony was subs tantaly
the same as Mrs Wilson's,
Here the prosecution rested their case and the
court adjourned for dinner.
In the afternoon, Mr.. Ball entered upon the
defence Introducing first Marshal Foster, of
Strea.or, who testified to no fact tending to &C.
quit the prisoner but in his REORGANIZATION
snbstantiated the evidence of Mr. Gorbet as to |
the proposal of Mccormack to pay him (Gorbet) |
eleven hundred dollars TO keep quiet, by repeat !
ing what he heard Mr. Gorbct say TO the pris. |
oncr Ut is too late for N? to do anything, the !
law must take It's course
The defendant next ayailcd himself Of The pro- I
visions of law by placing himself upon the wit
ness stand His testimony occupied oil of the
remainder Of the day except few moments
when Mrs. Gregg and Mrs. McDougol gave
their evidence as to statements made by Alice in I
res"r' ~ The innocence Of the defendant which |
'h', III her evidence admitted, but stated that
fear of death compelled her to deny his guilt,
The evidence Of the prisoner was in the main, |
very nearly the same as that of the prosecuting
witnesses, except that he denied committing or
attempting to commit the crime. He testified
that the little girl did not occupy the same bed
with him, but slept in an adjoining room the
night on which, it is alleged the crime was com
mitted; admitting, however that on the prcced- |
ing night he did occupy the same bed with the |
little girls, they testified but denied the truth
of their evidence wherein they said he did at
that time attempt to commit an outrage upon |
Alice.
The next witness was Mrs. Stouder, who tcsti- !
fled partially 30 the same as the defendant, but
in regard to many circumstances made positive
denial as to their occurring in the manacr or at
the time sworn to by the prisoner.
The next witness was a little girl by the name
Gregg, of South Ottawa, who in subs lance testi. .
fled the same as her mother in regard to state .
mcnts made by the girl Alice.
The defense next asked permission to introduce ,
as a witness Mrs. Mccormick, wife Of the pris-
oner. Nterthc point of her admissibility pro
and con by the attorneys the court ruled her to .
be an admissible witness.
Her testimony consisted Of corrobrration of
the testimony OF the defendant, and her opinion
as to his innocence.
Drs. Dyer and Stout were recalled and exam.
med briefly in regard to their professional cx
animation of the little 4irl.
JuuSf pllllldll WIS HEAT SWOl1l ana produced /
the evidence ofthe little girl as taken before the
examining magistrate.
The defense rested their case here, and Mr.. .
.;orbet was rc-examned for the purpose of re-
nuting some OF the evidence OF witnesses for the
defence.
This closed the evidence in the case, and at
half past four the States Attorney commenced his
opening plea for the people, For one hour and
1 half Mr.. Mayo surprised himself. ELOQUENT
yet gcntemanly, he depicted the horrors of the
outrage the child-like simplicity Of the little
orphan, condemning the defense for, as he said
bcling the fOirer name of Alice 10y calling her
prostitute, and she but ten years Of age, puDny
md delicate at that. At six o'clock court ad.
burned until 4. II. Friday
On yesterday morning Mr.. Bull, counsel for
he defense, commenced his argument for his
client. and opcuDic1 tho fiul,. uutil moan in or