The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-17
4 GREAT SCANDAL REVIVED.
Testimony in the Reopened Caseof Craw-
ford Against Sir Charles Dixie.
The Latter Takes the Stand and Testifies in
J. His Own Behalf, Denying Absolutely ALI
the Statements of Mrs. Crawford.
The Case Reopened and Attempt Made
to Whitewash Sir Charles

to Whitewash Sir Charles.
LONDON, July 16.-The rehearing in the d.
vorce case of Crawford against Crawford and
Dixie, reopened by the Queens proctor, was be-
gun to-day. Sir Charles Dixie. the correspond
ent was present, as also were Mrs. CRAWFORD
ana her sister The courtroom was croWoeo.
The counsel for the Queens proctor, IN opening
the case, asserted that the servants mentioned
by Mrs Crawford in her confession as being
present or witnessing ~her meetings with Sir
Charles Dixie at his house or elsewhere, did not
confirm Mrs Crawfords statements in any par
icular. Sarah the maid. who, Mrs. Crawford
said, dressed her in Sir Charles's apartments
after his departure from the appointment there.
denied, tho counsel said, that she ever did as
Mrs Crawford alleged. The French woman
Fanny, who Mrs. Crawford confessed, brought
her into relations with Sir Charles Dixie, with
her husband, had, the counsel admitted disap-
peared; but Sir Charles Dixie himself would tes-
tify and show that he was not with Mrs. Craw
ford on the dates she alleged he was in company
with her and Fanny The woman who kept the
house in Warren street. wherein Mrs. Crawford
said she met Sir Charles Dixie, would show that
the respondent never slept there, as alleged. Sir
Charles bikes coachman would show that he
waiting for his master to terminate his visits to
Mrs. Crawford. The coachman would further
testify that he could have seen If anything
wrong had been done in the room where Mrs
Crawford received Sir Charles in her own house.
as the coachman. from his box, could easily see
oyer the whole area of the room. A consensus
of opinion makes of the rehearng strong az
tempt to whitewash Sir Charles Dixie. Mrs.
Crawford adheres to every statement made in
her confession.
Sir Charles Dixie, being sworn denied totally
all the allegations concerning him made by Mrs.
Crawford in her confession. Continuing, Sir
Charles Dixie argued that Mrs. Crawford's con-
fession was an act Of deliberate conspiracy
against him. He accounted for the animus
prompting this conspiracy by saying that he had
once. through friend, advised Mrs Crawford
TO abandon an intrigue she then had with Capt
Forster. The Captain, learning of this advice
charged the witness. during an interview in
1885, with trying to blast his [Forstersl charac-
ter, and challenged the witness to a duel. The
witness declined the challenge and treated the
affair as utterly ridiculous. The witness then
proceeded to furnish evidence suggesting that
Captain Forster and Mrs. Crawford, finding chat
discovery of thSir liaison was imminent. con-
cocted the story against the witness contained in
the iady's confession.
The court vas crammed with notabities. in
cludlng many wellknown ladies. The reporters
had difficulty in obtaining seats. Crowds of peo
pie were unable to gain admttance. Mrs. Vir
GINA Crawford was dressed quietly, in brown
costume She was accompanied by her sisters,
Mrs. Ashton Dixie and Mrs. Harrison She ar
rived early, and conversed animatedly with her
counsel. Mr.. Geo. Lewis.
Sir Charles Dixie who was accompanied by
bis wife, looked careworn: He followed the evil
dence with the keenest interest. 1t was gener
ally thought that Sir Walter Fillmore, who
represented the proctor, was somewhat biased Ill
favor Of the correspondent.
When summoned witness, Sir Charles
was visibly affected. In walking to the witness
box, he almost staggered; but he soon recovered
with clearness snd decision. For instance he
replied TO the question, "Did you make love
to Virginia Crawford9' with mo, certainly not
clearly and distinctly, and with good emphasis
on the certainly Mrs Crawford and Sir
Charles frequently exchanged glances. The
former smiled amusedly when Sir Charles de-
MED that liason had existed between them.
The spectators in the courtroom showed great
interest in the narratives of witnesses regarding
Sir Charles's alleged intimate relations with a
French woman who was formerly in the service
of his father aud afterwards in his own service
Sir Charles. it was stated, allowed her forty
pounds sterling yearly, and when she was in
England always. visited her at No. Go Warren
street Much interest was also taken in the
story of how the mysterious Fanny vanished,
reAppeared, and revanished again before the last
trial. reappeared afterwards, and gave evidence
to Sir Charess solicitor, and finally vanished, i
and is now not to be found. 1t is generally {.
thought that Sir Charles has not emerged from
the cross examination with credit.