Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-23

The trial of the now famous action for al
legged indecent assault, by Victoria Smith
against w. W. Billson, for $4,000 damages.
was resumed in the district court yesterday
morning. As the case approaches crisis the
interest increases in intensity, and the action
has already occupied the court longer than 1t
was to have been expected. The surroundings
of the case yesterday were about the same as
on the day preceding, with the exception of an
increase in the number of spectators.
Every available foot of the court room was
occupied and the proceedings are watched
with the same attention as an auditor would
give to the plot of a new drama or the libretto
of an opera on its inaugural presentation.
Considered from one standpoint. that in which
the proceedings are evidently viewed by the
public, this is not especial occasion for sur
prise or wonder. The unique character of the
proceedings, and opera bouffe style of the
plaintiffs attorney, convey the idea of bur-
lesque and give rise to frequent and most in
decorous levity.
The prospective in the picture yesterday,
was about tina same as on the day preceding. In
the foreground there wa the interesting group
consisting of MIR. Jones, counsel for plaintiff.
whose hair bristled on end, and classic beard of
sanguinary hue gave the idea-of one on the
offensive; to the rear of him aat the plaintiff,
accompanied by Mrs. Smell, and the other
mysterious females. MIR. Billson sat by
his counsel, Messrs. Davis and Horn,
reserved and with quiet air.
The members Of the Jury looked refreshed
after their nights rest but it was evidenced
by the occasional shrugs of impatience that
the story was becoming as familiar as twice
told tale. As before stated the court room was
crowded to repletion. @
HORACE G. DUNNE.
Judge Wilkin took his seat on the bench at
10 o'clock, directly after which Horace G..
Dunno, reporter for the GLOBE, was called fo1
the defense.
By ex-Gov. Davis-Witness resided in st,
Paul, and was reporter fer the GLOBE; had
met the plaintiff; had interviewed her on the
2Oth of September; recognized the interview az
one that appeared in the following days issue
of the GLOBE; the interview took place at the
intelligence Office of Mrs. Smell, on Franklin
street, in the presence of Mrs. Smell; had in.
formed the plaintiff of the object of his visit
being to get an article for the paper
had interviewed plaintiff as to the alleged
assault and had obtained her statement; she
spoke of having resided at Decorah and Cresco.
Iowa, and at Rochester in this State; plaintiff
did not mention the towns of Saltwater and
Go mover; witness had said something to Mrs.
Smell about not visiting the office of the Pio-
neer Press; she insisted on visiting the Office
OF that paper. No one had been scooped.
The witness was then subjected to an alb
surd cross examination relative to his life
from his birth to date which had no bearing
on the case. The next point made by coun-
ell was relative to the kind of paper used in
writing up the interview with plaintiff and
the number of words on page. Having
reached conclusion on this point Mr.. Jou es
asked the reporter an insulting question which
he refused to answer and was sustained by the
court in 80 doing.
8. B. wooLwoRTH.
Mr.. Woolworth. Pioneer Press reporter,
was next called to testify relative to the publ.
cation of that paper of the original story.
Plaintiff had said that Mr.. Billson visited
her room at 10 o'clock and remained until
o'clock in the morning; witness enquired why
she did not make an outcry; she replied that
1t wouldn't have been any use, as no one was
around to hear her.
Recess until q. P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session the plaintiff, Victo-
ria Smith, was recalled. The first effort was
to show why she changed her name 60 Smith,
the claim being that such a change was all
right among the Bohemians. Next came de-
tails of where she had lived during preceding
years. The witness continued: After leaving
the house first saw defendant at his Office in
the custom house: it was on Saturday; Mrs.
Smell was present; there was no other inter-
view.
Witness didn't do much of the talking; the
statement that witness called on Mr.. Billson to
make him pay money is wholly untrue. Over
heard the conversation between Mrs. Smell and
Mr.. Billson; the statement that she had dis
nxxyou nkrsra H. ,o~I~ L.