The New York herald., 1879-03-19
The Plaintiffs Kentucky Husband
Appears in Person.
4 HISTORY THAT WAS TOLD THE DEFENDANT.
Unpleasant Developments for the
Aged Senator.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

BY TELEGRAPH 10 HEkALD
WASHINGTON March 1s. 1879.
The trial of the suit of Mary S. Oliver against
Senator Simon Cameron resumed this morning
Long before the opening OF the doors of the court
room hundreds of persons had congregated at the
outside anxiously waiting opportunity to get in
At the hour-ten o'clock-for calling the every
seat and all the standing room was occupied. The
class of persons present included the best citizens
of the city, most of whom, it is said, had not been
inside of court room for over ten years. Several
ladics present and attentive listeners to
the testimony of Mrs Oliver; but before the conclu-
sion they retired satisfied that the nature of the
widows evidence not suited to refined ears.
General Butler and Colonel Cook, of Mr.. Cameron's
counsel, early on hand, reaching the Court
House some time before the plaintiff and her
counsel. On the arrival of the latter all eyes
turned toward her. but she modestly walked to seat
near her counsel and did not seem in the least dis
turbed. Her friend. Mrs. Charlton accompanied
her. This lady has acted toward Mrs. Oliver during
the past five days a adviser. She is a TALL
slender woman about fifty years of age. with sharp
features and dark brown eyes. Her hair is gray and
altogether she has the appearance Of person who
fully capable of giving good advice.
SENSATION THE DAY.
The sensation of the day when General Butler
'produced and presented the kentucky husband of
of age about six feet high and weighing least 1870
pounds. He has heavy white mustache and no hair
the top of his head. After the midday recess the
number of spectators increased to such an extent
that tho Judge compelled to order the Marshal
to force the crowd back. A number OF the specta1
tors having crowded in the jury box after the crowd
was forced back as far possible some Of the num-
Der squeezed ont of the door,
ACCESSIBILITY EVIDENCE
At the adjournment of the court yesterday the
point under discussion whether or not the
plaintiff had the right to introduce evidence prove
seduction under promise of marriage no such
charge being laid in the declaration The complain
ant had been heard and it for the defence reply
General Butler thought the point of considerable i'm
portance in the view that it sent the parties
to try an issue of which no notice had been given,
and which would involve tedious and decidedly
unpleasant investigation. II would bring pain to
the defendant and, by number of Witnesses place
the plaintiff in an unenviabe position before tho
public. For this, if for other reason, he would
prefer not to this question opened; but the
thorties divided the admissibility of test-
mony of this character especially where the charge
seduction not set down in the bill OF complaint.
He did not think could be cited to show where
1T was asked to admit testimony to seduction
when the averment not set out in the pleadngs.
They had here widow of at least one husband land
they would try and find two or three more before
they got through with the easel going to the Of
an aged man and then making the allegation that he
proposed to make her his wife. By the way, he
would say this widow no chicken and did not
need such projections still she wants damages for
IN injured reputation This merely breach of
contract, and there difference between this
and any other contract in the law for the law has
one and the rule. This of conse-
quential damages, and special damages could not be
claimed unless they were specifically set out He
continued his argument at length, citing
authorities to sustain his view OK the incompetency
of the testimony
Chief Justice Cartier said that the plaintiff pro-
posed prove seduction and also to show contract
of marriage. He thoughtit would be to reject
testimony tending to prove n marital contract. and
1t might be that this contract had its outgrowth
sacts. He was in doubt the point in relation to
seduction. but he would admit the testimony and
open this little possible for of them
desired to hear such evidence.
oLIvER's TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Oliver then resumed the stand and testified
that relying upon the promise of Mr.. Cameron to
marry her. she permitted him to enjoy improper
privileges with her; the winter Mrs. Mcveagh
came to the st. James Hotel, in this city, with
her children, and that afternoon Mr. Cam
sent for the witness to to his
parlors at the Congressional Hotel; it rained
ct the time; when she entered he locked
the door and took the key out; he said that his
daughters came with the children and annoyed him
and he would not let them in; he told her that
should they come to the door for her to get back
of the bed and II they went TO the window for her
TO 20 behind the curtain, and that would prevent
them seeing her: Mrs. McVeagh and the children
did come and Knocked but receiving answer
went away he then said that she must not leave the
room alone. az it would look strange; Mr.. Cameron
had champagne in the room and invited her to
drink, saying that 1t would help her; she took
little of IL; she asked him to go home with her. and
he said that he would send her in a carriage; she
sat upon the sofa and requested him to open
the door; he refused; he said that she
not comfortable and got pillow for her saying
that she could not so out until morning; MIR. CAM
eron insisted upon her stayingkept the door locked
and held the key; she remained IN the room all
amer Qni che VIVA tn atpa-rv and
insisted upon her complying with his request
body would know IT, and in the sight of God IL
she knew the handwriting of Mr. Cameron. and the
letters she had exhibited were written by him.
THE CROSS EXAMINATION.
Cross-examined BY General Buter-She had given
several interviews to the press; reporters came TO
lished in tho Post of January 2s, 1873, was
2 sanderous piece in reference to her many
Husbands rssna ,i. it ., was libel it was at New
of herself; she told him that she depending
upon a lady in that city for home; that she was
'once in better circumstances but that she had lost
everything; when she a little girl she went to
live with Mrs. Oliver at Louisville Ky and she sent
her to school kept by Rev. Mr.. Brown; Mrs.
the house and promised to marry her. but
had q wife living; after she related her his
efory to Mr. Cameron he told her keep TO herself
and that she should como to washington he would
ltntroduce as the daughter of Commodore stuart
and widow; Mrs. divers son was named Thomas
Marshall Oliver she told Mr. Cameron that they had
lived together as man and wife, and that sho.had
children by him; she lived with him from 1864
mp to the time the divorce was gotten from his
wife, and the Judge told her that II divorced her
also; she told Mr.: Cameron at the time she lived
with Ohver ne mad wife living; after the divorce
Oliver left. and she never saw him again; she was
born in Ireland and was descendant of the Alden
family; her rather was once general, but had be-
come reduced by circumstances her father gave her
20 family named Stuart living az Petersburg, Va;
Mrs Oliver took her from there to 1.aleIpn, N c..
and afterward to Louisville. KY. she attended
school at q convent at Cedar Grove, KY; she told
Mr.. Cameron that a lady in New Orleans, who had
lost her husband by yellow fever. wanted her to live
with her; MIR. Cameron said be might make New
Orleans his home at some future day aud wanted her
~ come with him; she thought that she would like
him, because he was kind and gentle.
Her first meeting with Mr. Cameron was in 1874;
she saw him about the Marshall estate, and IL being
claim against the United States she thought that lie
would take some interest In IL; her visit North at