Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-11-23
RICH AND RACY.
Opening Of the Hobsnsaek- Spence
Case
IN The COURT AT ST. CLAiRsvIlIe.
A Large Number Of 0nIOokers Present, and
the. Greatest Interest Manifested
The Testimony Given
Yesterday.
Special 10 the REGISTER.

OF. EVANSVILLE, November 22.-For thl
past few month the town of Martins Ferry
and in fact the whole county, of Belmont
as well as our near neighbors over the river
who are we'll acquainted with the differen
parties, have been on the qti pire OF expec
tation and excitement in regard to the Ho
bensack' Spence damage suit. Every bit O
news in regard to this case has been con
sumed with ayidity, owing to the promi
nence of the parties. The first time the
case was brought before the public was ir
the SUNDAY REGISTER, although
Grave Hints and InsinuatiOns.
mods, and u heard more than dozen say
so" had been INDUCED in by the knowing
ones for some time before that. We viii
not attempt to give a history of the case
other than what VII oe given in the testi
mony, the substance OF which will be
printed in the REGISTER from day to day
as the case progresses.
The case was called this Thursday
morning in Belmont Common Pleas Court
with VIM. Hays, of Steubenville, George
Duncan and J. N. Rees, for the plaintiff,
and +. Z. Chambers, Lorenzo Danford and
z. Tallman & Son, for the defendant
DR.. Hobensack, who sat just in the rear
OF his attorneys, near the Jury box on the
east side OF the court house, appeared at
first 10 be considerably excited, and was
very nervous, his eyes watching every
move OF the attorneys and all in the court
room.
Mr.. Spence's DemeanOr.
Mr. Spence sat with his attorneys at a
table about the centre Of the court room,
directly in front OF the Judge, and seemed
to casual observer 10 take but little in.
terest in the proceedings, and yet nothing
tscslet him. a study of his features
Shows that he feels lis position greatly, and
Whatever be the outcome il is dear matter
10 him.
Mrs. HobenssCk, wife OF the plaintiff oc.
cUpied a chair directly in the rear Of Mr..
Spence Hnd lis attorneys She was accom-.
panied by some lady relatives and friends.
She is native of this, Richland township,
and is from one Of our best families, and
for this reason the case assumes peculiar
interest here, and sympathy, where there
is any, naturally tends in that way. The
msntle Of charity should be thrown over
the proceedings until proof indubitable
Shall Tear II Asunder,
and then it should lie remembered that "he
without sin should cast the first stone"
After the arrival of the Northern train,
which brought the crowd of witnesses from
Martins Ferry, the Court House soon filled
up, the bald heads, as usual, having the
front seats. The morbidly curious and the
regular Court House loa'er were there snd
in their glory. The faintest cloud OF any
thing that tends toward the dragging out of
- lel, lta faT, ylD OIL
has the effect of filling the court room. The
death knell to marriage vows, which are
supposed to be the climax of a mans high
est hopes of happiness, is very interesting
to a majority. Alas, how often are these
vows only the beginning of mans woes.
\ call OF the regular jury was made and
one or two challenged of, but it was finally
filled.
The Case Stated.
The case was stated TO the jury on behalf
of the plaintiff by James NJ. Rees, Esq,
who said that the case was brought for
d!,p dspi~b Who was her uncle; that they expected
to prove criminal relations at divers times
and places, including in the home OF the
plaintiff at Martins Ferry. About two
wears ego defendant became very intimate
With plaintiffs wife, and visited her at her
room very often, where he remained for
considerable time with the blinds down;
that they were in the habit OF riding to-
cether, both in the country about Martins
Ferry and in Wheeling; also proposed TO
show that the defendant and plainhn
wife Lad met at assiCnation houses: that
the defendant, since this case was brought,
had approached important witnesses.
Hon. L. Dsnford stated the case
On Behalf of the Defendant.
He admitted the relationship between
plaintiff S wife and defendant, he being
her uncle, but they characterize as false
each and every other allegation OF plaintiff
After swearing the witnesses and the
ususl caution given the jury by the Judge,
Court took recess to I'm.