The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-03
The Husband of Mrs. Cougar Takes the
Stand and Exonerates His Wife
of Any Wrongdoing.
Personal Appearance of the Parties
to This Famous Case.
Lawrenceburg Evinces a Pluclxy Disposition
to Make the Best of Her Recent
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
INDIANA.

/
Suit-Bout Between Judge and Counsel.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.
LAFAYETTE, March John D. Cougar,
husband of the plaintiff in the Cougar.
Mandler suit, was witness of importance
to-day. He most emphatically cleared his
wife of all suspicion, so far as his knowl~
edge went. He swore that he saw her leave
his home on the 10th of November, and that
he watched her until she entered the door of
her mothers residence, across the alley; said
she came back by 10 o'clock that night, and
did not leave the house again that night. He
swore that he frequently sent Mrs. Cougar
| to Captain Wallace's Office" He related
many instances when Mrs. Cougar was alb
sent when he was with her instead of Cap
tain Wallace He had a satisfactory account
for every occasion when Mrs. Cougar and
Captain Wallace were accused of irregulari-
| ties.
Mrs. Mary Brown, sister of Captain Wal
lace, who bears a striking resemblance to
Mrs. Cougar, swore that she was the woman
who went to Captain Wallace's office last
summer when the windows were put down;
that the windows were put down because
he was sickly and afraid to sit between open
windows.
Counsel r. P. Davidson, for plaintiff, was
again to-day severely reprimanded by Judge
Gould. Mr.. Davidson objected to a remark
made by the opposing attorneys and bitterly
pronounced it false. Judge Gould called
him to order, but he persisted when the
court said emphatically you are out of
order sir.' Still he continued, and again
saib opposing counsel had uttered a false
hood. At this Judge Gould said "Mr.
Davidson, it is as easy, and still better to be
! a gentleman than to act the part of a swag-
gering bully" Mr.. Davidson resumed his
seat, saying he thought his remarks did not
call for censure so severe as that. The dis
pute arose from Mr.. Davidson's objection to
question and Mr.. Coffroth saying the OBJ
lection was simply made to let the witness
out of close place.
THE PRINCIPAL ACTORS IN THE CASE.
| Letter in Cincinnati Enquirer.
Captain Harry Mandler, who has obtained
great notoriety by reason of this case, was for
| number of years a barber in Cincinnati,
and did business on the splendid steamers
that many years ago piled the peaceful
ing man, quiet and undemonstrative. A
broad-shouldered, "big-headed" Dutch citi-
zen, with a pair of piercing eyes that are
peculiar to the detective wears his hair
nicely combed and his heavy mustache and
goatee always hear evidence of the neatness
and care of q respectable and clever tonsorial
artist During all the tedious proceedings Of
the famous case, when at times he was Sc
/ alxr ohn Nv 1iprr ho
has sat in his accustomed place blythe side
of his attorneys, and never uttered word,
but has conducted himself with the utmost
propriety. He has borne an unsullied reputa-
| ton, was gallant and brave soldier and his
only failing is that of poverty, and his only
fault is that of being Dutch barber"
Mrs Cougar the fair little lady who has
been written about in all the papers of the
| land, whose silvery eloquence has been
| heard on hundreds of rostrums, is a constant
attendant, and watches closely every step in
! the trial. She is, in her happy moods a
bright, smiling little lady. Of the blonde
type, with hair already whitened, although
she is by no means an elderly lady With
the cleverness of an actress, fortified by more
than ordinary culture, refinement and brains,
she impresses quite favorably those with
| whom she comes in contact. There have
been times when, laboring under great men
tai excitement, superinduced by thrilling
features of the trial she permitted her better
| judgment to momentarly leave her, and
fired by Indignation and anger, she de-
nounced the courts decision as an outrage or
| the witnesses for defendant as periurers.
Indeed, there have been many occa-
sions dramatic and really sensational,
and these features of the lingering
| trial have constantly fed the fire and intensi-
fed its interest. Whatever may be said of
Mrs Cougar one thing is evident. She is re-
markedly industrious, a constant worker, and
| knows hOnp1S
| upon the witness-stand, SAID of her that she
worked twenty-four. hours a day, meaning
thereby that she was constantly at work
| when she was not in slumber. Her husband as
| lawyer, and has an Office business that has
| come to him as the fruit OF careful attention
| to his profession and an honest dealing with
| his clients. He is very reticent in the trial.
Says never word, barely makes suggestion,
and occupies a good part of his time in read
ing the papers He, however, is regular in
| his attendance, and accompanies his wife
and chaperons her coterie of lady friends,
who daily come as her sympathizers.
John d. Cougar has the reputation of a
clever little gentleman, as honest
as the day is long and without an enemy.
tainly has borne himself without any display
of his troubles, if, indeed, he has any. He
was educated at Gambler, Kenyon College.
Judge Gould, of Carroll county, who was
callel here to preside is now serving his sec1
ond term wearing the judicial ermine. He
was a gallant soldier in the same regiment
| with Captain Mandler He has been unjust-
ly abused for his conduct of the trial. His
fairness is conceded by the entire bar OF Las
fayette. His decisions are those of the care1
full and circumspect judge. The Islander suit
at best, with all its animosities, its bitterness,
the rivalry of contending attorneys, and tina
mean exhibitions of legal spleen, is an ele'