Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-06
CHE'T' SMITHS CRIME
The Trial of the PrOGurer In Chicago Yes
tsrday.

CHICAGO, December 4.-The abduction
case against ''Chet" Smith, the cheat
rical agent" charged with inducing young
girls to go to disreputable houses near the
logging camps in Wisconsin was resumed
to-day in Justice Fischer's court. The
first witness was Maggie Cruel, n of the
compliments. She merely said that Smith
had made no inquiries as to her family
connections, before engaging her to go to
Hurley, Wis.
Mrs. Lizzie McDermott said that on No
yember 18th, she went to Mr.. Smiths Of
fee to see if he knew anything of her
daughter Maggie's whereabouts. At first
he denied all knowledge, but finally said
that he had sent her on the road. On be-
ing pressed to tell where the girl had been
sent, he said that the name of the place
was Hurley, Wis, and that it was q re-
spectacle theater where Maggie would be
safe, and would earn so a week for a
time, while she was learning the business
and would afterwards earn more.
He gave his word of honor as to the re-
~spectability of the theater to which Maggie
had been sent. Mrs. Margaret Cruel told
how she visi tied Hurley in company of the
two officers. when we got there" she
said, I'VE found the theater." Down
stairs was q saloon
FULL OF ROUGH LOOKING MEN,
who looked at me wickedly. The saloon
was in two parts, separated from each
other by a door.
The front part was full Of the rough
men who were swearing and drinking be-
hind the door. When il was opened, l
saw n number of girls and men passing
backward and forward. | became nervous
and went to the hotel while the officers
continued the search and afterwards
brought the girls to where | was. Mrs.
Cruel never saw Smith but once when she
called at his office on Clark street with the
detectives and asked him where Maggie
was.
He then told her that her daughter vas at
Hurley and she asked him if it was a
respectable place. He replied: eyes, upon
nv honor rs q gentleman it is" 81 then
called the officers" said Mrs. Cruel, land
said there is your man and they arrested
him. George West, n brakeman on the
Northwestern railroad, said that early in
November Miss Cruel and Miss McDermOtt
were on his train in company with q
woman who had previously made the trip
on his train, and each time
A OTHER r. WITH HER.
She had told him that her name was
Mrs. Coup. He had a conversation with
Miss Cruel, having had 4 slight previous
acquaintance with her. He asked what
she was going to do in Hurley, and she
replied that she was going to take y posi-
ton in a dramatic company. lie told her
that she had better not 90, but had
best keep on his train to Green
Bay and return the next day.
She was afraid to 90 home and left the
train at Milwaukee to take train for Hurley.
Mr.. West said that Smith was frequently
at the Northwestern depot at the time OF
the departure of trains and stayed until
the trains left. He at one time came with
several girls and said as he left the train:
"Please lock the doors. | am afraid that
these girls will get out. | will have some
more cattle for you ina day or two
Several witnesses testified rs to the good
character of the Gruels. No decision has,
us yet been reached.