The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-17
DlLKE'S DIRTY D0INGS
A Woman Ruined by Titled Seopndrel,
While he Goes Acquitted.
Disgusting Details of the Case Brought Out
on lite Trial-StriEers Attack and Sack
Several Houses Socialists Leader
Visit Mr. Gladstone.

case of Mr.. Donald Crawford against his
wife, in which Sir Charles Dixie is a core
spoDdent, was begun to-day. Great interest
is felt in the case, and the courtroom was
crowded when it was called. Sir Charles
Dixie arrived early, and took his seat in the
courtroom without being recognized by
most of the people in attendance. Mr.
Chamberlain, President of the Local Gov
ernment Board, and many gentlemen prom
inent in official and social life were present.
The case being announced, the petitioners
counsel stated that the first intimation his
client had of his wife's unfaithfulness was
on the receipt of several anonymous letters,
the writer of which warned Mr. Crawford to
beware of 1.-The member from Chelsea"
Sir Charles Dixie. Mr.. Crawford
thereupon made am investigation
into his wife's habits and
found that she had been corresponding with
one Captain Forster. This Offense he had
condoned. Receiving further anonymous let
ters, Mr.. Crawford taxed his wife with infi-
deity. Sne admitted her guilt and made
full confession. She said she had slept two
nights in the same bed with Sir Charles Dixie.
HIS attentions 10 her, she said, had COM
menced directly after her marriage. He pro-
fessed TO admire her because of her resem-
blaDce 10 her mother The wife of the petit
toner had attributed the anonymous letters
TO the yindicativeness of her mother. The
petitioners case rested solely on the wife s
confession. The servants OF Mr.. Crawford s
household, counsel said, would give evidence
showing that their mistress had been absen nt
from home on the nights she stated she had
slept with Sir Charles.
The petitioner, Mr.. Crawford, was called
to the witness-stand, and gave testimony
supporting the statements OF bis counsel.
MIR. Crawford said he had been startled by
his wife asking him whether he would for
give her if she had been unfaithful TO him.
His wife's sisters had been'shown the anony-
nous letters, and had agreed that they were
in the handwriting of their mother. In her
confession, the witness said Mrs. Crawford
had declared that Sir Charles Dixie had COM
pelled her TO enter bed with Fanny" his
mistress, Sir Charles himself lying beside
them He taught her every French vice.
He then told her again how much she was
like her mother.
Counsel for the petitioner submitted the
evidence against Mrs. Crawford but submit
ted none against Sir Charles Dixie. The
court granted Mr.. Crawford a divorce from
his wife and dismissed the charges against
Sir Charles Dixie.
The consensus of opinion is that the filthy
revelations made in the trial and his failure
to attempt to either deny or disapprove the
charges against him have practically ruined
Sir Charles Dixie.
Although Sir Charles Dixie escaped under
the technical plea that Mrs. Crawford's un-
sworn confession was insufficient evidence,
the whole tenor of the trial has produced a
profound and universal conviction of Dilke's
guilt. Justice Butts, in summing up, de-
scribed the respondents statements as clear,
distinct and substantial, and said they COM
PEELED him to conclude that the adultry
charged was actually committed. If the
woman bad been put in the witness box and
had given the same testimony there would
have been evidence against Dixie. Dilk's
position was further damaged by mis- refrain
ing from giving evidence. The Attorney
GENERALS defense, were we to put Dixie in
the witness box his cross-examination would
be on indiscretions in life, from which no
man is free" was taken as frank admission
that Dixie was unable TO give an explana-
ton. That part of Mrs. Crawford's confess
sion describing the depth of the debauchery
between Dixie and her, is unfit for publica-
ton. The trial has caused a painful i'm
preston throughout the country in regard
to the state of society morals.
The striking operatives in the hosiery
factory in Leicester, renewed the riOtous
demonstrations to-day. They attacked and
sacked several houses. The police frequently
charged the strikers during the day, and in
each instance were resisted, many of the
policemen being injured. The authorities
alarmed at the aggressiveness of the strikers
and seeing that the regular police force was
inadequate to cope with the disorderly ele-
ments, have ordered the appointment of
special policemen, and a number of citizens
are now being sworn in to do duty as such.
Burns, Hindman, Champion, Watts and
Williams, the Socialist leaders who managed
the Trafalgar Square meeting last Monday,
called in body to-day at Mr.. Gladstone's s
official residence, in Downing street, for the
purpose of obtaining an interview with that
gentleman. Mr.. Gladstone was absent at the
time of the visit and his secretary received
the callers. The Socialits stated that the OBJ
ject of their visit was to obtain from Mr..
Gladstone some declaration of the Govern.
ment's intentions with regard to affording
relief for the unemployed workmen of the
country by means of public works. They
desired TO obtain this information before
stumping the country in the impending la
Dor agitation in order to be able 10 carry as
much encouragement as possible to the peo-
pie. Mr.. Gladstone's secretary advised the
deputation TO call at the Office of the Secre-
tary for Home Affairs, as the subject was not
one properly pertaining TO the Treasury De-
partment, of which Mr.. Gladstone is First
Lord. This reply was received with dissatis-
faction, and the deputation handed the Sec
retary a document for Mr. Gladstone's pc
rusal. This was in the nature of a formal
declaration insisting on behalf of the unem-
ployed workingmen that the Government
. take immediate steps 70 relieve their press
ing needs.
Tonight the strikers smashed many win
dows and stoned the police. The police in
adjacent towns have been reinforced. No
arrests have been made.