The New York herald., 1877-10-07
MABEL LEONARD.

FURTHER EXAMINATION UNDER THE CONTEMPT
PRocgEDINGs-MR. MESSIAH, THE LONG LOST
HUSBAND, AN ESCAPED CoNvICT-MRs.
ROGERS MATRIMONIAL AND THEATRICAL
CAREER.
As might be supposed from the notoricty already
given TO the and the peculiar circumstances sur
rounding II there was large attendance at the re-
ncwal Of The examination yesterday before Mr.. WILL
lam Sinclair The referee IN the contempt proceedings
against Mrs. Mabel Leonard Rogers, the mother Of
Mabel Leonard, the child actress, who Arst be-
came known to tho public IRON playing part with
Miss Clara Morris in the play 0 "Miss Mult0n" " Mrs.
Rogers was present, attended as heretofore by her
little son. George, whose attachment TO his mother.
notwithstanding the aspersious against her,
show mutton. Mabel Leonard, the centre or
attraction in this judicial melodrama, pres
cnt, she si pursuant 10 the orderO Judge Donohue
being kept close prisoner at the House Of Mercy.
Two of Mrs. Rogers husbands-he first and last known
OF tho series, Mr. Messam and Mr. Rogers-were present.
tho ormer. Will bc BY the report given below
being The important witness Of the day, ana the latter
for the keeping in the background. Mr. William
T. Howe, who appeared behalf Of Mrs. Rogers, and
Mr. l.. L. Dcaned, the representative OF the Society
for the Prevention OF Cruelty TO Children, also
present
Mr.. MEssAM's STORY.
The first witness called Mr. John Messam, who
claims TO be the nrst husband o Mrs. Rogers. He Is
diminutve specimen oil a man, with wonderful
shock OF hair, cadaverous coun,enance aud sight
mustachc, his appearance altogether being that OF
simple, unprclendlng country mechanic. Ho
swerel without hesitatng, the following questions
put 10 hIm:-
q Mr.. Messam, what is your namef A. John Mes.
sam
O. What is your resdences A. Scrub Oak Yank-
town, Westcncster county, ~
q WHAT is your occupationr A. wagonmaker,
wneelrght aud blacksmith l have been engaged ia
that BUSINESS Tor the last tw euty.lve years; have
been 1T Scruo OAK Tor the past three years. own
ceed oI my shop and tue land II occupies; came
tins country eight or Zine years ago: was married
beta Meakn, III lS6:.
O. DO you see ,nis woman in Courts A. Yes, SIR;
that's the iady sitng there tpoints to MS RogersD;
We Mad Two chiIarel born ~ England, Anna and
Thomas; the former ID now known as Mabel Leonard
years old last July ana the boy years youAger
recognize tho boy Iow III Court my soI saw
the gr, Mabel, yesterday afternoon The Sisters
Mercy III Eignty-sixth street.
Y. When Gia your w.fc cease TO live with your A.
-Four years ago ,ast May; previous - that time
went uton tne Stage; she acted at Nibio's Garden;
she ala not 10 upou ,le stage with my consenl her
hours were very irregular when the stage; usually
went 10 escort her home but some mes she would
sip away aud or inr.e o'clocn III the
morulIa; At that time had no control ncr
Y Il your children were gwen 10 you would yoa be
aole H. take oi th.ny A. | aia aUle 10 SUPPORT
them; but as to Mabel, woula ike to lake aayice
from .he Court; DOME tnnk am exactly capable OF
taking charge .! Dcr under tue present ccunsiaces
woud ike 10 provide Tor her welfare and have her
properly ANA rcspec.aDy brought up anu educated in
u virtuous manner.
Among the hrst Questions propoundcd to the wit
ness Oh cross-cAaminatioa Oy Nj Howe was .'Wno
we're the parties inducing hin 10 put appearance
IN the present proceeuing? His answer was that Ls
was hunted up Uy the society Tor ine Prevention Of
Cruelty - Children.
.shunl,d up,'' calculated Mr. Howe; .whst do YOU
mean by thaL? We're you aiosy,
- mean | was searched out By the society," an.
swered the witness; II simply mean thut tney came
10 PeexsSii and inquired alter and some IN
qurt,s drove 10 my shop at YaDgiown.n
.iou were the iox they we're hunting were yUuYn
III OBJECT to tins style Of exAminalion,n SAID Sir.
Delaiied.
well 10 the wtncss, rcortcd .r. Howe ..Iie stated
that tie society ~.nt oat u huItiDs Tor nin.,"
Alter some DISCUSSION rs 10 makiug The exaniuat on
aegoreai Or real Mr. Howe proceeded 10 cross-cx-
anime the w.,ness.
HABITS OF IyroxIcArroy
q. HUN often have you beon arrested Tor intoxica-
ton dufns the iast three years! A. only once, ac-
cUraiIa 70 my rccoi,cctoB.
a. You are under oaih, ana the penalty Is imprIsou
meat ior perjury. is your answer corrcctf A. |
only Remember onco
q. Have you lived with any woman Tor the last three
Mr Howe attempted TO pursue this limo Of inquiry.
to when Mr. Deancid strongly objected MIR. Howe
suggesiel tlat ''wLat was sauce tho goose WAS
Tor the glnacr' Ihey had attempted 70 show
imp. oprietes on me part OF Mrs Rogers sud ana
lowed 10 prove tiat tne witness diu Lot occupy The
hi ig pedestal oi virtue upon winch had bsen ulaced
by the opposing counsel ~ his PRODUCTION a. witness
IN the proceedings. IL tho progress oil hts further
cross.examsua.lon Mf. Howe unueriook ciicit from
the wuess The tact tbat before lott England uo
"a conn ned and Uoated drunkard mat he treated his
we WIN great cruelty tnat lie associated
ot iowd character aud mat altogether uunt
person 10 Dc entrusted with the Inc two cbi.
dIen.
'You are going too lar in this examination, finally
interpogcd Nr sinclair
"Inc trouble is mo witness went too iarn rcjoined
MT. Howe
Aler THIS little cpsode tho Witness In response
other questions proccoacd 10 state that he obtained
employ ynent three hours alter his arrival III this
country.
NEssAMs CONFESSION
"Wcro you never IN prison?" asked Mr. Howe. A.