The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-29
"BABY MINE"
A Curious Trial-The Sequel to Dramatic
Scene at q Wedding.

A Curious Trial-The Sequel to a Dramatic
Scene at a Wedding.
New Orleans Times Democrat.
Hattie Scott, charged with having on Sat
urday, Aug IL created disturbance of the
peace at the Holy Trinity Church, on st.
Ferdinand street, was examined yesterday
before Judge Ford of the Second Recorders
Court The accused, girl of ordinary APP
pearance, with brown hair and light gray
eyes, appeared at the bar, attired in neat
calico dress, and carrying in her arms a girl
baby four months of age. She was attended
by her lawyer.
The case owing to its romantic character,
attracted considerable attention. Hattie
Scott, the prisoner when only fifteen years
of age, had met and loved Louis Hartenstein.
The baby which she carried in her arms was
the result of her foolish affection,
and when she received information that
her faithless lover was about to
wed another she became indignant,
and on the day fixed for the marriage hied
herself to the church, and there, in the
presence OF the bride and groom, priest and
congregation, deposited at the foot of the
altar the innocent fruit of her guilty love. A
disturbance, OF course, followed. The
witnesses to the marriage denounced Harlem
stein and his bride, and the priest, to avoid
violence, escorted them to his private resi-
denee, where they remained until the crowd
dispersed. All these facts were published
at the time hence, when the case was called,
the courtroom was crowded with sensation
loving people, all anxious to see the festive
Louis his bride, the wronged girl and the
baby, and to listen to the delightful little
ttbits of scandal which they fondly hoped
would be elected during the course of the
examination of witnesses. 1t was uncom-
fortably warm in the courtroom, and as the
audience was composed in part of the great
unwashed" the effect was anything but
agreeable.
When the case was called Mr.. Blanchard
read the affidavit, stating that he wanted the
court and audience to understand that Har-
tenstein was not responsible for the charge.
The chief OF police, having been informed of
the disturbance, had ordered the officers to
make an investigation, and that investigation
resulted in the arrest of the accused and the
summoning of Mr. and Mrs. Hartenstein as
witnesses. After this explanation by Mr..
Blanchard the case was proceeded with and
Father Reichardt placed on the stand. He
informed the court that on the day of the
marriage Hattie Scott called at his house
and explained the case, telling him that
Hartenstein was the father of her child. She
informed him that she intended going to the
church, but he advised her not to take that
course. He then sent for Hartenstein and
Miss A. Hrst, his intended wife and in
formed them of the charge made by Hattie,
which Hartenstein denounced as falsehood,
before God and man. Miss Hrst agreed to
be married, Notwithstanding the accusation
made by the wronged girl, and they went to
the church. During the ceremony Hattie
Scott went into the church walked IN
the central aisle, and placed the baby on
the brides veil. Considerable excitement
followed and disturbance resulted. Dur
ing the cross-examination the priest stated
that the proposed marriage had not been
publicly announced in the church for three
Sundays according to the custom of the
Harto an ol Ohf lie
pensation.
When the priest left the stand Harten-
stein was called, and as he mounted the
witness-stand low murmur arose from the
spectators. There was nothing particularly
attractive about HIM, although it is stated
that he had been playing the role of Don
Juan very successfully among a class of ig-
norant young women in the Third district.
Of slight build, with light hair, inclined to
curl, and lighter mustache, he took the
stand with an easy confidence, which seemed
to indicate that he rather liked the notoriety
of the affair. His curly hair was done up in
that peculiar style affected by men of his
class, and his dress inspired dim visions of
moonlight picnicS, servant girls, slow music,
ana languid dances. His evidence was
pointed, and on the cross-eXaminaton the
particulars of his escapade with Hattie were
detailed in language not choice but to the
point, as Hartenstein did not seem to be ia
miliar with the terms usually employed in
such cases.
Other witnesses were examined, and their
evidence, like Hartenstein's furnished
amusement for the crowd, which frequently
had to be called to order by the court off
GERS. The two attorneys, when all the evil
denee was in made their speeches. the baby
cried, and the audience awaited the decision
of the court
Judge Ford stated that 1.-The evidence clear
ly established the fact that the poor, wronged
girl at the bar had exhausted every means
before she took the step which resulted in
her arrest. She had called on Hartenstein's
relations, she had informed the intended
bride and had stated her case to the priest,
but she had obtained no satisfaction what
ever. Turned away like a vile, fallen
wronged her about to wed another, and
as a last resort she placed his baby at
the very foot of the altar where he was about
10 swear to love and cherish another The
spectators rose in their might and expressed
their Indignation at Hartenstein's action.
Applause, loud and long, and cries of order
by the court officers, She was arrested for
disturbing the peace. His court would i'm
pose the full extent of the law on any per-
son who dared to disturb the peace of any
church in its jurisdiction, but in this case it
has not been proven that the accused created
the disturbance. 1t was the indignant spec
tators who were incensed at Hartensten's
conduct, and the court therefore discharges
this poor, deceived, deserted girl. Hattie
Scott, you are discharged" Applause, long
and loud]
Court adjourned, and Hartenstein and
wife left the building.