The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-04
a Witness Creates Sensation by Descnb-
ing the Plaintiffs Method of
Swindling at Cards.
Albert Edward Played for Sucker by the
Injured Innocent in the Case-The
Holdout Racket and Big Lead
Pencil in the Game - The
Days Proceedings in the
Court Room-Notes.

the least, and the thlru DAY OF JDe GFldI
opened with as great crowd striving Tor
admittance and as great crowd IN the
rourt room as the first day. Lunch bas-
kets and pocket TASKS were out in full
force. 1t is too early to sum up the effect
of the testimony already taken, but the
British matrons as all ladies will admit,
have much to do in molding public opinion.
1t is safe to say, however, that botn the
plaintiff in the libel suit, Sir William
t5ordon Cummings, and the defendants,
Mr.. and Mrs. Lycette Green, Mr.. and Mrs
Arthur Wilson and Mr.. Berkeley Leavett,
10 say nothing of the prince OF Wales, have
not shown up in very bright colors. Even
The prince of Wales best friends are said
10 admit unwillingly that the testimony
he gave yesterday was far from being OF a
nature to reflect credit upon the future
king of England. The prince of Wales
was present again this morning.
After the court was called to order Sir
Charles Russell commenced his address in
behalf of his clients. Sir Charles said that
his clients had been forced into this action
much against their wishes. There were
nine persons engaged in the melancholy
business" all Of whom knew the plaintiff.
The plaintiff admitted that accusers acted
conscieutiously, and he did not believe it
possible for all of these persons to be mis-
taken in regard to the conduct Of the
plaintiff on the nights Of September and
b. The plaintiff admitted that they were
Rll persons of honor and integrity. and
having made the charges they adhered to
them After they had made the charges,
was it conceivable that an innocent man
would bear such an odious burden upon
him? The defendants would testify that
they remained quiet until the plaintiff
made an attempt to secure a modification
Or withdrawal of the charges The de-
PENDANTS said that they were prepared to
Bubstantiate the charges which they had
made. The plaintiff conduct at no time
during the stages of this distressing story
has been that Of an innocent and honorable
man. No innocent man would have signed
the confession which he signed. This aC-
tion was brought only after the plaintiff
failed to secure his retirement from the
army on half pay.
Sir Charles then dilated upon the inno-
cent character Of the Tranby Croft card
party and the mild character of the game
of baccarat played there. He had models
of the tables used each night at the games,
with the positions of the players marked
upon them. He also had photographs of
the rooms where the games were played.
The jury examined these exhibits with
great interest and asked many questions
about the game, the position Of the
players, the tables, etc. Sir Charles then
explained the intricacies of the game and
showed how impossible it would be for the
players from their positions TO be mis-
taken as to the conduct with which the
plaintiff was charged.
Sir Charles denounced Sir William for
resting under the odious imputation of
dishonesty. 1t was said, he continued
that this was done to avoid scandal which
would involve the prince of Wales.
But a man of honor, even were there
fifty princes in the case, would not have
allowed his honor TO be clouded for any
such consideration. The only way in
which the scandal affected the prince of
Wales was that lie was playing a friendly
game of baccarat in a house where there
was cheat. Sir Williams action had
been contemplate, when he was content
so long as secrecy in regard TO his conduct
was sustained. Here are the facts, said
Sir Charles, in conclusion, land you must
do your duty however painful "
1t was noticed that the prince of Wales
and the plaintiff. as well as all present.
paid the closest attention to the speech of
the distinguished jurist. His denuncia-
tion OF the plaintiff was severe and cut
ting.
Mr. Arthur Wilson, son of the million
Alre owner of Tranby Croft, and leading
stockholder In the Wilson line of steam
ers, was the first witness for the defense.
He testified that during the play when
Sir William Gordon Cummings tableau
Somerset's hand, and seeing that he held
natural and a court card he (Sir Will |
iafn) at once dropped five pound counter
(Which he had concealed in the palm OF
his right hand) upon the table, and was
paid upon that counter. This testimony
produced great sensation.
The witness said that he saw Sir WILL |
lam do the same thing several times on
the same evening, and then he (witnessl
told Mr.. Leavett OF IL, who also saw Sir |
William cheating in the same manner
The witness had conversation with Mr.
Leavett after the game. The witness said |
that the later was Mortified. The wit |
witness asked what was to be done Leav- /
EFT replied, For goodness sake, don't |
ask me. He is in my own regiment, |
aud was my own captain. What am l TO |
dof"
The witness said that when play was |
resumed the next night an agreement had /
been made to watch Sir Williams play. /
The witness made a regular baccarat |
table out OF long pantry table covered /
with green baize, and that the table was
used the second night. As upon the |
previous night the prince of Wales occu |
pied the position of banker. Gen Viii |
hams acted as a crCupler. The witness |
believed that the plaintiff had a paper and /
some counters on the table He had other
in the breast pocket OF his dress
coat. The plaintiff added the witness.
had long thick pencil in his hand. Sir /
William staked five-pound counter and |
the prince of Wales gave the cards to
Lady Coventry, who took seven, which /
WAS considered good card The plaintiff.
according to the witness looked over Lady
Coventry's hand. and witness then saw
Sir Williams hand go out aud gradually
advance towards the white line marked on
the baccarat table.
Continuing, MIR Wilson said. amid a
breathless silence in the court room, that
II then came around TO the prince of |
Wales turn TO take card, aud he took
one and said. Il am haccarat.r the card /
being bad. Immediately upon hearing
this, Sir William pushed just over the line
a ten-pound counter, four inches away
from the original counter. The plaintiffs
tableau won and the prince of Wales paid
nm 'hver.. overlooking the other
counter, which the plaiutiff had pushed
over the line Thereupnn Sir William ex-
Claimed, Beg pardon. Sir. there is another
Ienner here which you have forgotten -
IhlS ANNOYED the prince Of Waias who |
sald, i wish you would put your stakes
forward more .conspIcu0uSly. !" and having
the additional so Later in the game
said the witness, Sir William iicked /
another counter over the line with his
pencil
The cross-examination of Mr.. Wilson |
was process OF some length: but Sir
Edward Clarke, who conducted il. only
succeeded in scoring occasionally. and waS
not successful in upsetting any of the facrs
detailed In the original story told by Tie
witness
Mr. Wilson's cross-examination was not
inlshed when the court adjourned until