The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-11-23
And Facts are Stubborn
Things" No Doubt,
TOLD BY MR.. MILANDo PRATT
concerning the Abortion Case-They
are an Ugly Array-NOt
Half Told Yet.


self-in the ns-Evans-FOwler case
before the Grand Jury had its effect in
overwhelming the testimony of all the
other witnesses, and causing the sentl-
ment to waver and the case to tOtter, |
would Eke-in Justice to all parties con-
cerned, and especially TO the public at
large-to state a few facts in connection
with the case.
1t is alleged in your reporters state
mont published in this mornings
HAM that when ''her''-Miss Evans,
NV TrOns'-"a affidavit was read to her,
thai "she was asked how she ever came
tn sign such a document if its contents
were not true? She answered that she
was in a state of mind impossible to de-
scribe. from having been informed that
both Mr.. Irons and DR.. Fowler had left
the country, and that the fermer had
absconded with IA large sum of money.
Being asked who had told her this, she
answered Mr.. Pratt. When she signed
the paper she said she did 50 believing
that she was doing something which
would bring her lover back TO her.
Now. it appears that II is upon this,
her testimony, the Grand Jury ignores
in this somewhat celebrated case. All
other misunderstanding the f9tus it
self-must be ignored and erased from
the minds of the jury when this Iron
bound testimony appeareth. Some of
the Jurors were seen to turn aside and
place their handkerchiefS to their eyes"
and weep. Oh, that | could have wit
messed this touching scene! Weep on;
weep on; ye ministers OF justice ID
Keep not back the gushing tears of SYM
pathy. let them flow on until remOrse
and shame Is swallowed up in the vic
tory of inlquity and crime goeth un-
punished.
Now for the facts. First deny ever
having told the girl. Evans, "that roth
Mr.. Irons and Fowler had LETT the
country, and that the former had
absconded with large sum of money,
as the following statement will show for
itself and can be refuted by the parties
whose names l have taken the liberty
to make use of, if not stated acc Ordlng
TO facts:
After Mrs. Pratt had informed the
girl that we knew what was the cause
of her sickness and the nature of it by
the discovery of the foetus and the over
hearing of the conversation between
herself and Irons, and also DR.. Fowler,
she made an open confession to US, as
she subsequently did to number of
others. She related about Mr.. Irons
sending her to Dr. Carnahan, of Ogden,
to undergo an examination some weeks
previous to her sickness; her reasons
for leaving her home i'll Brigham
City to come TO this city
and that Mr.. Irons was very
angry at her for coming; his treatment
towards her; how she Lad pleaded vi h
him to marry her, and the excuses he
had offered for not doing so; how he
had deceived her on various occasions;
how that he had made arrangements
with DIR. Fowler for her to visit him for
examination on three different Occa-
Sions; giving the details and particulars
OF these visits, especially the last one OF
Saturday afternoon, November l,
wherein the doctor performed an oper-
alton upon her person, which brought
about her sickness. etc, etc.
On Monday morning, November 8, the
day following the discovery of the
abortion. went up to the City Hall to
file my complaint or affidavit against
Irons and Fowler. While the officer
was taking my statement and before 1t
was completed so that l could
sign it, Mr.. Irons was released
from prison on bail, and he
told me that he was going right
down to see the girl. Feeling that his
object for going to her was to seal her
mouth from testifying against himself
and the doctor, [ Immediately went to
the Marshal and requested him to send
an officer to my house fOrbidding Mr..
Irons to enter. Knowing the nervous
condition of my wife, also started for
home before signing the affidavit. The
officer having arrived at my house just
before Irons reached there, informed
my wife of his coming. After Mrs.
Pratt had forbid Irons from entering
the house he cried out to the girl from
the outside, but the officer-Who was sta
toned in the house at the time-put in
an appearance and Irons scampered off
without having the privilege of COM
nlunicating with the girl.
After all had quieted down. / again
returned to the City Hall for the purpose
OF completing the charge. After the !
affidavit was completed and was about
TO sign it, it was suggested to me that if
the girl, Miss Lizzie Evans, who was the /
most injured party la. this affair, would |
be the complainant herself, that this /
would be the better way to proceed in |
the matter. l therefore requested JUS /
uce Spelrs TO accompany me home, and !
get her sworn affidavit. / read the atfi- |
N~fAN ~ liz al Gully anu SiO0Ag III tAC /
presence OF Justice Speirs and several |
others, and after hearing it read she |
held up her hand, saying as she did so, |
4 say that every word of It is true, so |
help me God" and she also said, ~ can /
tell more" She did this willingly, with |
out the least compulsion or persuasion |
on the part of any one. She also adj |
mitted and stated the particulars of Dr. |
FOwler's examination and operation |
upon her to Drs. Hamilton and Bowers |
in the presence of Mrs. Pratt and my
self, and. think, her mother, and they |
expressed themselves, after having |
heard her statement, thatit was "a clear
case of abortion"
The case was set for examination be-
lore the Justices Court, and in the
meantime 1t was thought proper, by the
prosecution, to take a statement or
sworn deposition from her-as she was
lying in very critical condition and
might desc that her testimony could
De preserved. Therefore, Mr.. Fletcher.
the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, went
uoTn 10 my house for that purpose
ana took her statement, which she gave
voluntarily and of her own free viii
and choice