The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-28
SENSATIONAL SCANDAL.
Pathetic Narrative of Society Woman in
Baltimore Criminal Court.

BALTIMORE May EFF polite society can be
nature of the evidence elected in the trial of
young James Graham Pearre for attempting to
assault Mrs. Estelle Kirkland in the Albion
Hotel Long before the case was called the
court-rooms were thronged by an audience that
would have far better graced a White House
reception than a criminal courtroom. They
drove up to the door in their stylish equipages.
and struggled and jostled each other TO secure
the best possible places for hearing and seeing
and when the case was called the assemblage
settled down, with a look of expectancy upon all
countenances, as if something rich was to be
heard, and they were not disappointed. The
prisoner, who was neatly dressed and appeared
only moderately calm and composed, sat near
his counsel, ex-senator William Pinkney White,
accompanied by his two brothers, George A.
Pearre, of st. Joseph. Mo-, and William Pearre,
of Cum berland, Md. A number of ladies oceu-
pied seats In the witness box, the majority of
whom had been summoned in the case. States
Attorney Charles G. Kerr and Deputy States
Attorney Cans represented the State. Every
thing being ready for the trial to commence, the
jury, which was impaneled yesterday, was sworn,
after which the opening statement as to what the
He detailed the domestic troubles of the prosecu-
trlx: the separation from her husband; her first
meeting with the prisoner; the two notes written
to her by him; his ghosty appearance in her
room at late hour of the night; the assault
upon her; her resistance and screams of murder;
and her pitful appeals to him, for the sake of his
own mother and sisters, to spare an unprotected
woman; his abrupt answer, which was followed
by threats of murder if she resisted; her final
escape from his grasp, etc.
Mrs Kirkland is apparently about thirty-fve
years OF age, has neat figure, and is very pre-
possessing in appearance. She wore a dark,
Wellhtting dress and VEIL which only partially
concealed her features. The sound of her name,
when it was called, caused considerable commo-
tion and the throng of spectators almost stood
ON each others shoulders to catch glimpse of
her. She was escorted to the witness stand by
Judge Lindsay, of the Orphans Court, and was
SO overcome with embarrassment that she could
not hold the book while the oath was being ad-
ministered to her. She was then led to the
front Of the jury, where seat was given her.
She trembled like leaf as she faced the jury,
and tears trickled down her cheeks 1t was
some moments before the examination could
be commenced. The States attorney
her, but without success. She wept
bitterly, and her sobs were audible throughout
the courtroom. Finally she became little
more composed but the evidence throughout
was given amid sobs and tears, and frequently
her agitation was great that the examination
had to be suspended for a time
In answer to questions about her domestic af-
fairs she went on to say that she was alone in
the world with no father. no mother no broth
ers to care for her. and that her husband had
long since left her. Here she became very much
agitated, and amid her sobs she passonately ex-
claimed "Oh, oh, if 1 had had father or
brother, he wouldn't have dared to insult me-
Continuing she stated that on the night of the
assault she received note asking. if she was
home. Surprising some gentleman acquaintance
had written she replied yes. No one came up,
however. She denies that she ever received a
second note, asking If her room door would be
left open when the bearer returned and it was
upon the supposed favorable answer to this that
Pearre attempted his dastardly deed. The ele-
vator boy who carried the note acknowledged
here that he failed to take up Pearre'S second
note, and wheE asked by Pearre, about IL that
night, he was half asleep and may have said yes,
not knowing what he was saying. Mrs. Kirk
Land then stated that she retired at 1870 o'clock,
and being very + tired after the long days
nothing till about o'clock when she awakened,
and, startled with horror, she saw the form of a
man sitting on the edge of her bed. It was dark,
and she could not at first tell who the party was:
but as he turned his head the light from the
window fell upon him and she at once saw that
it was Pearre She sprang up in bed, almost
frightened to death, and exclaimed, '.My God!
What are you doing here9"
He replied: "You know what am here for,
1 leave" f00O O'-'-'
''Never" replied the witness. "never."
Witness then proceeded to narrate the details
of the assault, which caused a profound sensa-
ton in the courtroom, and awakened much in
dignaton among the friends of the lady Manv
of the things testified to it is not possible to pub
lish. She stated that he threw himself on the
bed, and that she fought to release herself from
his grasp. She told him she would scream if he
did not leave the room. He laughed at her,
and said that he had pistol ia his pocket
and would shoot any one who came to her
assistance. He said, further, that if any one
came and found him there they would not be-
lieve that he had come there without her permits
sion. He acted like a mailman and seemed
utterly reckless as to consequences. She strug-
gled with him with all her strength, and in her
efforts to escape him, her clothing was torn
almost from her body. She repeatedly appealed
to him to spare her, but he paid no attention to
her, replying only in the coarsest words. With
all due justice to the lady. and although the tes-
timony was given amid sobs and tears her de-
scription Of her trying ordeal suspiciously
reminded one of similar scene of yore between
Tarquin and Lucrece, SO graphically described
by Shakespeare. In her agony she exclaimed:
For Gods sake, for the sake of your mother
and sisters, who are virtuous women, lei me 90:
you will ruin me" she cried. She successfully
resisted him, however, and growing still more
and both of US shall die"
She made one desperate effort to throw him
from her, and succeeded. She sprang to the
door and threw it open. Than he exclaimed,
''Stop, for Gods sake you will ruin both of u.s.
She rushed out, despite his warming and ran
down the hall until she reached the servants
room.
The servant testified that when Mrs Kirkland
burst into her room she was entirely denuded of
clothing, except some shreds which chung to her,
and upon examination the bed clothing was
found to be torn and scattered all about.
The defense acknowledges that all this &C.
Cured, but intends showing, if possible, that
Pearre was invited into the room, but how they
purpose getting over the struggle and Pearre's
adventure over the roof to get to his victim, is
yet to be shown His statement will be made
to-day.
The trial creates big sensation, and is all the
talk. Every one bitterly condemns Pearre, and
don't hesitate to state that he deserves hanging.
The result of the trial is doubtful If found
guilty. however. he will get long term in the