Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-17
THE DILKE-CRAwFoRD SCANDAL,
The Fashionable Flies Crowd About the
Foul Carcass Once More.

The Fashionable Flies Crowd About the
Foul Carcass Once More.
LONDON, July lG.-The rehearingin the
Dixie Crawford divorce case was COM
menced in the Divorce Court this morning
The court room was crowded. Mrs Craw-
ford, accompanied by her sister, was pres
ent The counsel for the Queens Proctor,
in opening the case, asserted that the evil
dence did not confirm the confession Of
Mrs. Crawford Sarah, Dilke's house
keeper, denied dressing the respondent,
Mrs. Crawford, at Sir Charles Dilke's
house at the time stated IN the
confession of the former The wO-
man Fanny, said 10 have been Sir
Charles mistress, together with her hus'
band, had disappeared, but il would be
shown that she was not with the respond
ent, Mrs. Crawford, on the date alleged IN
the latter's confession. Mrs. ROgerson, the
landlady Of the Warren street house, where
Sir Charles Dixie and Mrs, Crawford are
supposed to have met, would show that
the respondent never remained there, as
alleged. Sir Charles's coachmsn would
show that he had never stayed long at
Mrs. Crawford's house, and also that he
could see over the room in which meetings
between the respondent and correspondent
took place. The opinion prevails that the
court will make strOngattempt TO white
wash Sir Charles Dixie. The respondent,
Mrs. Crawford, stoutly adheres to her
former confession.
Sir Charles Dixie. being sworn, denied
totally all the allegations concerning him
made by Mrs. Crawford in her confession.
Continuing Sir Charles declared that Mrs.
Crawford's confession was an act Of dehb-
crate conspiracy against him. He account
ed for the animus prompting this conspir-
acy by saving that he had once, through q
friend, advised Mrs. Crawford 70 abandon
an intrigue sho then had with Captain
Forster The Captain learning OF this
advice charged the witness during
an interview in 1885 with trying to
blast his (FOrster's) character and chal-
Ienged witness TO a duel. The witness
declined the challenge and treated the
affair as utterly ridiculous The witness
then proceeded 10 furnish evidence sug-
gesting that Captain Forster and Mrs.
Crawford, finding that the discovery OF
their liason was imminent, concocted the
story against the witness contained In the
latter's confession
The court was crammed with nobili-
ties including many well known ladies'
The reporters had difficulty in obtaining
seats. Crowds of people were unable to
gain admission. Mrs Virginia Crawford
was dressed in brown costume, and she
was accompanied by her sisters, Mz.
Ashet0n Dixie and Mrs. Harrison. When
summoned as a witness, Sir Charles was
visibly affected. In walking 70 the wit
ness box he almost staggered, but be soon
recovered his self possession and answered
the questions with elearness and decision.
For instance, he replied to the question:
! Did You make love TO Virginia CraW-
ford?'i with mo, certainly not, " clearly
and distinctly and with good emphasis on
the certainly" The spectators in the
court room showed great interest IN the
narratives Of the witnesses regarding sli
Charles alleged intimate relations with
French woman who was formerly IN tn
service Of his father and after
wards in his own service. SIR Cnarie'
Il was stated, allowed her forty poundl
sterling yearly and when she was In Eng
tland always visited her st IS Warren street