The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-02
WALES WAS THE BANKER.
Opening Day OF the Trial Of the Fa-
nous Baccarat Scandal
Case.
FL. r. Fl. Albert Edward Present
and Ready to Go on the
Stand.
The Plaintiff, Sir William Gordon Cum
ming, Denies That He Ever,
Cheated While Gambling.

William Gordon Cumming against Mr.. and
Mrs. Lycstt Green, Mrs. Arthur Wilson,
Mr.. Arthur Wilson and Berkeley Louett, for
slander, was commenced before Lord Chief
Justice Coleridge to-day. Long before the
hour fixed for hearing the case the court
room WAS hlled with crowds of fashionable
people who had been lucky enough to OBJ
tain tickets. Judge Coleridge had given
orders that admission to the court was to
be by special tickets only and he announced
he would be able to accommodate only q
few of the most distinguished applicants
with seats beside him on the bench, reserv-
ing the main body of tho court for mem
bsrs of the bar, witnesses, jurymen and
about thirty-tive newspaper representa-
tives. The result was that crowds of
angry and disappointed people were seen
outside the court. The first tremor of
excitement was caused by the arrival in the
court room of Cumming, plaintiff, accom-
panied by his counsel, Solicitor General
Clarke and DR.. Gill. Opposed to these
legal lights are Sir Chas. Russell,
Mr.. Asquith and Arthur Russell.
who came in accompanied by the
defendants. The plaintiff was cool and
calm, but apparently not in the best of
humor. The heir apparent entered the
court shortly after IL o'clock, accompanied
by his private secretary. The prince took
seat near Justice Coleridge. The entrance
Of the prince of Wales was the signal for
the court proceedings to commence. No
sooner was the prince seated than the jury
was sworn, and Chief Justice Coleridge,
taking his seat on the bench, addressed
Solicitor General Clarke, the leading coun-
sci for the plaintiff, saying in substance
that he desired that the prince of Wales
should be kept in court as short time as
possible. To this the solicitor general as
sented.
Sir Edward Charge, amid almost breath
the plaintiff. He said the charge
WAS most serious one. He detailed tas
circumstances of the now famous card
party at Tranby Croft, Arthur Wilson's resi-
dance, during the Doncaster meeting i'll
September, 1890. 'Beccarat," said the
soliciting general, had never before been
played at Tranby Croft.''
At the conclusion of the address Sir.
William Gordon Cumming, plaintiff, was
called to the witness. He said the prince
of Wales acted as banker upon the occas-
ion referred to and that Gen. Williams was
croupier. His (plaintif'a) attention was
not called the first night, September g. to
lowing evening, he said, when dressing for
dinner, Lord Coventry and Gen. Williams
came TO him in his bedroom at Tranby
Croft. The former said some peo-
pie staying trere said that he (Cummings)
had, while playing baccarat the previous
tiff said that he then replied that this was a
foul, abominable charge and deliberate
falsehood, adding. addressing Lord Coven
try and Gen. Williams: "What am to do?
You two are my old friends; for goodness
sake say what is to be DONE"
The plaintiff then remarked that he added
to this request that he placed the whole
matter entirely in their hands, and that af-
ter dinner, at the suggestion of Lord Gov
entry and Gen. Williams, he, plaintiff, had
an interview with the prince of Wales, to
whom he repudiated the charge brought
against him and said
Your royal highness will see what ter
rible thing this is for mel, who have been
attempting for twenty years to lead the
life of an officer and gentleman" To
this, according to the plaintiff, the prince
replied: "What can you do? There are
five accusers." Sir William Gordon Cum
ming said his first impulse was to pub
licly insult his accusers upon the race
course the next day. 70 this the prince of
Wales. plaintiff testified, replied: "What
is the use of that? There are five against
you."
Continuing, Sir William said that half all
hour after his interview with the prince he
was summoned to another room where he
found Coventry and Gen. Williams, who
told him the only way to avoid ga horri ole
was to sign document which had
already been produced and read. Plaintiff
said that although it was a tanta-
mount admission of guilt he
was persuaded to sign it, believing
he could trust his honor to Williams and
Coventry. Cumming concluded his testi-
mony with the same denial that he sver
cheated at cards at rranby Croft or any
where else. The cross examination of
plaintiff commenced then by Sir Charles
Russell, leading counsel for defendants.
Tho court after hearing further testimony
for the plaintiff adjout ned. The prince of
Wales remained throushout.
The plaintiff said he had no reason to
suspect malice on the part of any one of the
defendants. Sir Charles Russell then
glanced at q paper. and turning towards
the plaintiff, continued: And does this
worst of it is that feel that they are act
ing perfectly conscientiously in the matter
and they believed that they did see me re-
sort to foul play"
Pardon me-" cried Sir William quickly,
drawing himself up his eyes sparkling and
MS WnOle JN4nner QeuOG1nE considerable eX-
citement, "are you reading from any letter
Of mine.'
Sir Charles Russell replied: "Yes; does it
express your feelings?"
Yes" replied the plaintiff sharply.
Then Sir William, under cross-examlna-
tion, explained ut length several points III
regard to bnccarat PLAYING. Ho also said
he hnd nothing before him on the table
while playing baccarat on the evenings of
Sept. s and 8, at Tranby Croft, except
small piece of paper ami pencil and possi- |
bly, u tumhler. Sir Charles Russell asked
plaintiff number OF questions bearing
ipon points in the case and ceverly sought ,
20 obtain admission that the bare in
creased his stakes when he won and from
questions put it was evident that plaintiff |
would be accused of 30 doing after seeing
ihe cards of his neighbors. Replying to
questions Sir William said Lord Edward |
,omerset and Mrs. Coventry increased |
heir stakes nnd also kept counse,s
II their hands az well as on tho table. The
plaintiff admitted that on the second night
of the baecarat games nt lranby Croft, the
,rinco of Wales said, Il wish that people
would put their stakes where they could be
Gen." but plaintiff added that he did not
hink this remark applied to him any more
han to any one else. The baronet also ad
nitted that he kept number of counters
II his pocket. He did not ask To be CON
rpnteN with hiu necuaara IL wna rnlly of |