Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-10-01
The Jury In the ROssiter Case Out
Thrce-quarters of an Hour, and
Verdict of Guilty.

w III. MChue,
JAS Anderson,
George Mullett.
The indictment was read charging w.
A. Rossiter with having lived in unlaw-
full cohabitation with Eliza Crabtree Ros-
sitter and Myra Young.
Evidence was begun by calling Will
liam Crabtree to the stand, who testified
to knowing the defendant; Eliza Crab
tree Rossiter was his sister
had known defendant for twenty
years; called at his house on
an average of once week for the past
two years Eliza has six or seven child
rem. Witness had taken meals at the
house when defendant was present; it is
a one-story dwelling, with five or six
rooms youngest child is boy about
three years old, and named Ernest !;
know Myra Young, but have not met her
for many years; never visited at the
Bee Hive house. Know Phoebe Rossiter !;
she is defendants daughter and married
to Mr.. Bailey. Mr.. Rossiter lives with
my sister.
Mrs. Phiebe Bailey: My mother is
Mrs. Eliza Rossiter; | have little
brother called Ernest, who will be eight
years old this October; her father passed
most of his nights at home, but some
times he was away.
Charles S. Burton: / have known
Myra Young for about fifteen years, and
Mr.. Rossiter nearly as long. visit the
Bee Hive house frequently, and am re-
lated to Myra Young by marriage never
heard her called Mrs. Rossiter. | have
seen Mr.. Rossiter at the Bee Hive house,
but not at night or meal times. Myra
lives in the north part OF the house.
Don't know whether the child is called
Young or Rossiter; saw defendant seat
Myra at the Theatre Rossiter goes to
the Bee Hive house l think he has
something to do with the business of the
heirs OF Brigham Young.
Henry Smell: | know Myra Young,
am her brother-in-law my wife and |
visit the Bee Hive house; l have seen
Mr.. Rossiter there; don't know OF his
boarding with Myra Young have heard
she is the wife of Mr.. Rossiter have seen
Il child with her, but don't know whose
it is. Am brother OF John w. Smell.
Julia Burton, the wife of Charles Bur-
ton, said: Myra Young is my sister; she
is about 80; don't know whether she is
married or not; have heard in my own
family that she is married to William A.
Rossiter. She has child called Rus
sell don't know its other name, or any
thing about its father; don't know
where she is; havn't seen her for two
months.
Mrs. ]. ID. Spencer, testified; Myra
Young is my sister, and reported to be
married to w. A. Rossiter, who is said to
be the father OF Myra's child, Russell !;
saw Mr.. Rosster at the table with Myra
and others.
John ID. Spencer said: live at the Bee
Hive house, where was married little
over three years ago. have understood
that Mr.. Rossiter and Myra were mar
ried. Their child is named Russell Ros-
sitter.
Eva Davis: Myra Young occupies a
portion OF the house connected with the
Bee Hive. She is my sister. Have seen
MIR. Rossiter there, who is reputed to be
Myra's husband presumed Russell Roq-
sitter to be their child; never saw Mr..
Rossiter in my sisters bedroom. Mr..
Rossiter has business at the houses of the
heirs OF Brigham Young's estate, and
calls ut mine.
Court adjourned until to-day.
This mornings session OF the Third
District Court opened up with the case of
the
UNITED STATES AGAINST JOHN DAYNEs,
Indicted by the Grand Jury for the crime
OF unlawful cohabitation. Mr.. Daynes
withdrew his former plea of not guilty
and pleaded guilty OF the offense charged
against him. He was given time to plead
but waived it, and made the following
STATEMENT.
most respectfully submit to the Court
that | am member OF the Church of
Jesus Christ OF Latter-day Saints. From
the teachings of the church and from nv
reading OF the Holy Bible, | was and am
OF the opinion that polygamy is as justifi-
able in the sight of God as monogamy.
and consequently married plurality OF
wives. believed that the laws passed
by Congress against polygamy would be
declared null and void when tested in the
courts OF appeal. | have watched the
OF cases in the courts, and now,
seeing that the Edmunds law is ruled
upon in the court of last resort as being
/ feel it to be my duty as a
citizen to submit to the inevitable, and
obey the law as interpreted by the courts
OF my adopted country.
l have at this time large family de-
pendent upon me Tor support, and feel it
to be my duty still to protect and care for
them, and as all | can earn these dull
times is not more than sufficient to sup
port them properly, ask the Court to
deal as leniently as possible with me
under the circumstances.
JEo. DAyNEs.
In a few kind remarks Judge Zane
imposed the lenient fine OF $3.50 and
costs.
Mr.. Daynes, through Attorney Darke,
asked the Court: Gam compelled to
live with either OF my wiyes?'
The Court replied in substance that
defendant is in duty bound to live with
his first wife and provide for her and her
children. Under the laws OF Utah ii il
right for man TO live with any woman
as his wife, so long as he holds her out
and treats her alone as such.
THE RossITER CASE
Was called with witness Mr.. Alfales
Young: ! reside in this city; have been
acquainted with defendant, Mr.. ROssiter,
for twenty years; know Myra Young
since childhood; she is my sister; lives
in the north extension of the Bee Hive
house; visit her frequently; she is re-
puted to be married to Mr.. Rossiter;
have seen Mr.. Rossiter at her house oc-
casionally; have seen Mr.. Rossiter there
during the day and at the table during
meal time; Mr.. Rossiter sat at the table
as apparent head OF the family; have
seen little Russell, the 3-year-old child,
there; understand that Mr. Rossiter STAYS
there as the reputed husband OF my SIS
ter Myra, who bears the name of Rooster
Cross-examined-l remember the mar
riage OF MIR. j. ID, Spencer, little more