The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-02
HEARING A QUEER WITNESS,
THEN A REQrEST TINT SHE M HELD
ON CHARGE or PERJURY.
The Vanderbilt WIN Case Lawyers Closely
Questioning Mrs. stoddnrd- Living Under
Hair % Dozen Names-A Varied Life.

Mrs. Lillian COc-Drnper- Bcnnng- NOll-
Davis Cough Stoddard was cross-examined
yesterday by Mr.. Clinton. She testified on her
direct examination that she was married to DR..
Charles A. Stoddard in Kingston in 1874 that
she lived with him in New York as his wife
that she was with him when ho went into pre-
tended trance and dictated to the Commodore
pretended spiritual communication from tho
Commodorcs first wife. directing him to give
his property to William II. Vanderbilt and that
the latter paid him 81 900 for such services 1t
was known that since her examination on Fri
day detectives had been hunting up her history.
Mr.. Charles Stoddard. son Of the Doctor. had
informed Mr. William II Vanderbilt of her
reputation. and witnesses were brought down
from Poughkeepsic in special car. Mr. Gin
ton was fortified with minute details OF her life,
and he persisted in facing her with them until
sho became nctled and rescntful.
Mr.. Clinton rushed at her with tho following
opening question: Who is the Edward Hall
in whose family you say you lived the past six
months ?"
" I had not much acquaintance with him. |
had acquaintance with his wife,
Do you know that man, in whose family you
say YOU lived being frequently arrested for
forgery ?"
" Yes. sir; have read it and know IT,"
" Is it the one who was charged with forging
| Now ok central lallrOad bonds r
lam sure do not know. | am not posted
on bonds. | cannot answer that
| " How many names have you passed under
within the last ten years p
Two; was always known 10y the name Of
| Stoddard. wanted to get away from him and
took the name OF Draper, Lillian Draper, iw9s
dard at Ga Charles street hired the promises
aud had my sign up as dressmakcr on the first
" Doyou know man by the name Of Ben
~ Yes. sir"
Did YOU and he live together there rs man
and wife 2"
| house for him. | do not know what they call IT,
| After question from Mr.. Clinton rs to her
exact relations with Beuuing, the witness hest
! iatcd and grew excited, and appealed to the
Your Honor, must answer these Ques-
" DO YOU object 10 answering them?' asked
4 do" promptly replied Mrs Stodlard
| Then the Surrogate cvinccd design To- protect
| the witness. Mr.. Clinton said the object of the
| question was 10 show that she was living with
| Benning in the time embraced in her tcsu-
Mrs stoddard next said: Il was introduced
! To- Banning by Nlr. Stoddari on boat going To
| the fishing banks. That was about seven years
ago. never was in South Carolina. and never
| We're you ever arrested for stealing u
watch ?"
phasl5 and rapidly would like TO see who
Mr Clinton. passed to the question Of her
| residence AZ Mr.. Halls house IN Avondalc. and
she repeated tina, She AWAY called it her home;
| was last there about fve months previous TO
Friday last. She had her things at Fifty
seventh street and Sixth avenue most Of the
time. and took her meals there generally.
, Whom did you live with theret Did you
Kept house Tor him thore in eight rooms.
We had hoarders. but | can't rccollcct their
| names. We lived there two months. and that
| WINS tho only placc lived In since last November
W t. the time | testified here. | do not know
that Benning went 10 state prison
Have YOU not lived with Bcnning since he
came 9ui Of state prison three years q
Mr.. Clinton-l propose To show that She never
was the WIFE 4 Dr. Stoddard. hut thai, at the
| time she said she was DR.. Stoddard's wife she
was living a. the vile or mistress Of this state
prison bird.
| Doctor, but had no right TO degrade her and
| the witness had right to avail herself OF her
Mr. Lord said that the witness had failed to
| cover certain period OF her life. hut was IN
mrruptci by Mr.. Clinton with the ex'anation
ms is an unmiignted outrage and an at
| Mr.. Lord denied any such intention. and Mr.
Clinton said. excitcily The counsel is telling
| the witness what 10 say Both III" lawyers
ranprrcd Justly With ai- saVel. and shouted
Gentlemen. both take your seats
.o.-pA}o ye ~ ,ae family Of Or stoidarl III Pouch.
Do you Anos he vic Of pr s,oidard' A-Ihave
. iauuns toward lady sitting in. court near him. a
OF pf s,oiisrI M',e an oppression OF mingled
| q "Yon have aiwavs Known her ns the wife oi pr
st6idari' A.-No III have known him before anew
. Did yon know HIM before you lived in hi, family
9 How long heforg' A-Two or three year. -ues'
IVA; 9e.ui r. Or N Wss s a ~sn' "a H. "S f
The neNt chd wa. 'ha.,s should INNS he Wa W
Q-whcre iii Won 20 when YOU ict there Al went
| down ls he Kept house
| tor him. lived with him in Kingston
lived 1T his family Ain Bridge street roushkceI.sic
In reply TO questions as 70 the places whore
she LIVED previous 70 going 70 lr. Sc ldards,
| ana Coe az hrr own homes sue SAID she had
| been called by the name Of Coe because VI Coo
last she had gone to PIP West Iiny-third street,
whore she WAS stopping with Mr.. Dill"n.
In response 70 Mr. Lords redirect examina-
ton she said that Bcnning and Stpddard were
acquainted about nine years tina, she WAS mar
ried TO Or. Siodeard about three years before
She went to his house 10 live as n servant; that
| she was married by a Justice. and ono wit
ness. Mr. Chichester. was present; TINT DR..
| Stoddard directed her TO e. by tho name. II
| Mr.. Stoddard had given the witness wedding
rinf nov IN her PosiSess.@m ana the iesw n
Stoddard had given orders 10 have the name
Lillian, Stoddard engraved in H.. This was be-
| married this ring WIS exchanged for another.
THIS is INDUSTRIOUS. said the surrogate. re-
NTIliE 10 Al lifh o. llONllE lllil l'l' MlAilff1
hal married Dr. Stoddard knowing that he had
! a wife living.
Mr. Lord replied that she thought she WINS
married. Dr. Stoliari hal shown her a paper
which he said was PROPOSED divorce from his
wiie that the Doctor sad their marriage WIS
| all right, and had promised her writton papers.
Then a long discuss n was had aH - whether
| the witness might not have religious belief
| that she lad n right To- marry Dr. Stoddard
under such circumstance. Tho Surrogate
called attention g. the tact that She continued 20
live with nr St0idari after she knew that lie
! had another wife.
judge Eh.rk quoted tho case u Gen. Jackson.
who thousht he we- married, hut found out
| that his wife was not properly divorced from
her first husband aud had 10 get the ceremony
/ performed second time.
The surrogate excluded the proposed tcst-
| mony and announced n recoss.
MIR. Choate requested the Court TO take charge
of the witness in the recess. with q view OF com
| hitting her on charge of perjury.
Judgo Black objected 10 the proposed action
AS not proper because II the other side wanted
10 arrest the witno s. they could rot warrant
| in ten minutes II they were not afraid 10 take
the oath whi n would affect them in the Same
way N which they you'd attack her appausel.
| and he dared Mr.. thuate to do that.
Mr.. Lord Rddel that not since civilization
| began had such bold uttempt 10 ntimilatn
! witness been made. The trouble was settled bv