Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-10-30
TABER VERSUS DOWNS.
THE PLOT THlcKENs AS TIME PASSES.
Crowds Throng the Boston Court House
Mr.. Taber on the Witness Stand-His
Testimony Very Damaging to
the immoral Pair.

BosToN. oct. 26.-The Supreme Court
room was crowded again to day with cur
ious spectators, interested in the proceed
ings of the Downs raber trial. The only
witness examined was Fred j. Taber, the
libellant Mr. Taber said that his suspi-
cions were first aroused by finding that
Pastor Downs was making his wife pres
ents of bouquets, etc Mrs. Taber was
absent from home great deal week
days aud Sundays, and would not
return until quite late. Mr. Taber
said that one afternoon at about 4:3O he
returned to his home unexpectedly He
noticed that the curtain was down in the
parlor, there being about eight inches of
the window left uncovered 80 that he
could see in ut the bottom. He looked in
and saw u gentleman, and Mrs. Taber was
either leaning on the gcntleman's breast
orstting ON his lap and he thought he
saw him kissing her. He went in and
found the Rev. Mr.. Downs there. As he
went into the room Mrs. Taber was rapid
ly passing into the back room. Mr..
Downs made some excuse and hurried
away. Afterwards he spoke to Mr..
Downs about what he had seen, and Mr.
Downs said that he was as innocent as II
babe. The pastor claimed that Mrs.
Taber threw herself into his arms and
that he didn't even return her en-
then and there that any man
who would receive woman in
that position and kiss her would do other
things if Inc got Il chance.
Mr.. Tabcr ATTENDED the church frequent
ly and had often seen her go into the pas
tors study. In 1854 Mr.. Taber became
converted and his relations with the pas
tor were friendly for II time. He remun-
stratpd with Mr. Downs and his wife,
stating to them that their intimacy was
creating Il scandal III the church AT
prayer meeting on one Friday evening in
May, Mr.. TaOer saw the pastor look at
Mrs TaDcr and make Il motion with his
thumb toward the study. Five or eight
minutes later he saw Mr. Downs and his
wife go in there and he heard Mr.. Downs
say 81 Will see YOU tomorrow after Bible
meeting GA the next afternoon Mr..
Taber concealed himself in the church
and by listening at the study door
learned when hls wife entered
the STUDY with the pastor from
the other door Mr.. Taber had with MIN
Il piece of mirror and cane. He attached
the glass to the end of the cane, then got
on II chair and holding the glass up to the
trauSOm over the door was enabled to see
everything IN the room, and the conduct
of the palr was of a very serious nature.
Mr.. Taber left the church, never took part
in its proceedings and never lived with his
wife again. Then Mrs. Taber moved to the
lodging house on Derne street. Mr. Tabel
watched the meetings at the Derne street
house, until Mr.. Taber and two detectives
caught Mr.. Downs and Mrs. Tabor in an act
of criminal intercourse, as has been before
related. Mr.. Taber was questioned about
a Mrs. Lincoln whom he had been in the
habit of visiting frequently, but nothing
important was ELECTED. At various points
in Mr. Taber's testimony the audience be
came quite demonstrative which mani
feslatiuus, however, were promptly sup.
pressed by the court officers