Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-04-10
MechIin and HIS Daughters.

TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENCE.
The Mechlin assault cases came up in the
Police Court at one o'clock today
Dr.. VIM. I. Oakley, for defence, testified
that he has known Mr.. Mechlin since the 18th
day of September last. He was called in place
of DIR. Pope to see Mr.. Mechlin, who was sick
with malarial fever. He also attended Aimee
and Willie. Mr.. Mechlin was very sick man
Testimony as TO the condition Of the affairs in
Nh Mechin'S house at that time, and the con-
cluSiOnS of DR.. Oakley, was sought TO be drawn
out 10y counsel for defence, but objections were
raised by MIR. Coyle, when Mr.. Taggat recited
the nature OF the evidence he d sired to elicit,
and advocated that ii be given without strictly
adhering TO the rules OF evidence.
The Court said so far as the condition of his
house was concerned he would hold that Mr
Mechlm was responsible for what 1t might
behaving jurisdiction OF his own house and
premises. The children certainly were not
responsible for il, but be would have TO RUE
out the testimony. The Doctor might testify
10 anything he saw in relation TO the treat
ment or demeanOr OF Mr.. Mechlin 10 his chill
dren, and they TO him.
The Doctor continued, saying that Mr..
Mechlln seemed TO show the ordinary interest
OF fathers TO their daughters. He IN. had
called upon witness in relation 10 the health
OF his children, and whenever witness had
been at the house be always appeared affec-
tiOnate and kindly disposed.
CroSS-eXamined by Mr.. Taggart He never
had any reason TO believe that the illness of
the girls was caused 10y cruelty of their father.
Aimee and Willie had been subject to a sup.
preston OF the menseS, which appeared 10
effect their mental faculties, as il generally
does.
DIR. Oakley continued, saying that he saw no
signs OF dissatisfaction 10y the children as TO
the treatment OF their father Aimee's mind
was evidently affected. He came to this con
eluslon from conversing with her and judging
from her answers.
Mai. A. e. Richards was the next witness
Here lengthy collOquy took place as TO the
nature OF the testimony TO be given and the
Court declined to receive the testimony.
MECHIIN ON THE STAND.
Mr.. Mechlin, father of the girls took the
stand and testified in relation 10 the assault
on Charlotte. He said he did not recollect hay.
ing administered any punishment on the 18th
october. III was the day after they moved
and the condition of their domestic affairs was
such that it would not warrant any such
charge. They had enough to do without en-
gaging in such matters as punishment OF
children. In relation TO the next alleged as
Sault about the Furnishing of her for not cook
ing Elias breakfast i'm proper manner, he re-
to shuttle out and equivOcate, and he cufed
her with his open hand. He did this for
eeguivoeating but not for the fault Of cooking
He had a Screw-dTver and a hammer i'm his
hand, but he did not use these instruments
In eufting her. She protected her head
and ears with her hands and ran
around the room and bolted out OF the
room. He caught hold of her by the arms TO
restrain her, as she was in a violent temper
and In doing SO, she slipped and fell on tile
moor, and appeared to be in kind OF faint,
winch he thought was all put on. He did not
KICK her, but struck her with his open hand
on her face. He wanted to box her ears. l-giF
she held her hands SO that the blow was on her
cheek, which very likely made il red but he
did not abuse nor injure her S
By Mr.. C0yle.-Charlotte is a very large
heayy girl, and he may have torn her dress IN
TINS, and held the hammer and screw-driyer in
MS lett hand Charlotte got up herself. and he
scolded her severely, telling her that II She re-
peated that offence again she would be pnn.
ished severely. He saw no bruises on her
iace afterwards. Ella came down stairs
during this scene or near its close,
MARRIAGE LICENSES have been issued 70
Nm woodward and Elizabeth Nolin James