St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-23
ON THE OATH OF "A CHILD.
Grace May Ellis Tells Her Story in
the abduction Case.

Ida Shenk, David Watson and Will
lam DemarS are beng tried before
Judge Otis and jury upon an indict-
ment alleging the abduction of Grace
May Ellis, of Minneapolis, for immoral
purposes, she being girl under the
age OF fourteen years. A jury was Sc
cured yesterday afternoon with but lit
tie difficulty. Quite collection of wit
nesses. friends and spectators were as
Sembled in the court room when the
time for presenting the testimony be-
gan, among them being several women.
Judge Otis stated that the case being
one in Which the testimony would be of
such character that the court deemed it
-unWiSe to have it detailed in the pres
aence of persons not necessarily present,
the court would order the witnesses in,
the ease to beexcluded together with all
others excepting the officers of-the
court, the jury and the parties to the
prosecution and defense.
Ida Shenk Is a dark-cemplexioned
woman whose appearance is not pre-
possessing. David Watson is man of
good appearance, who looks incapable
of the otfense charged and wore an eX
preston of deep concern under the
charge. William Demars seemed more
Indifferent Ill appearance. Watson is
conductor on the Duluth road, and De-
mars is brakeman on the same road.
Assistant County Attorney Pierce
Butler opened the case for the prosecu-
ton and made succinct statement of
the case to the jury. County Attorney
L. ID. O'Brien conducted the eXamina-
ton of the prosecuting witness.
L. l.. McGhee, the well-known col
ored attorney, appeared for the defend
ants. At the conclusion of the opening
by Il g state, Grace May Ellis was called
to the stand. She is Il Hght-comple
Toned, tall girl of slight build, with a
grace OF movement and intelligence be-
yond her years. Her face and manner
betoken maturity and ease remarkable
in one SO young, while her bearing in
dicates perfect ease in the peculiar
situation. During her examinations
in-chief and the cross-examinatIon
she was promp in answers and
showed 10 uneasineSS; besides, she has
an air of fearless innocence. The story
detailed by her followed closely the
statements made by Mr.. Butler in his
opening to the Jury. The substance OF
her story Is as follows:
She lives with her stepfather and
mother in Minneapolis, and will be four
teen years old next April. On Aug. 2
last. which was Sunday, Ida Shenk be-
ing at her mothers home, told her that
she had secured position for the child
in candy store in st. Paul. The child
had been to Lake Harriet that day. re-
turning at 7:30 D. IN. 1t was consented
that she should come to st. Paul with
Ida Shenk to take the promised position.
They started to board an'electric car
and on the way Ida Shenk stated that
she had two men friends there who
would go with them to st. Paul. Two
men were met on Washington avenue.
The four purchased fruit at candy
store and then boarded an interurban
car. the child sitting in a seat with
one of the men until the corner
of Seventh and Wabasha streets, in ST.
Paul, was reached. They all got off
there about midnight and had lunch at
the restaurant in the basement of the
Market house. They then went down
East Seventh street, the child being
told that they were going to the house
of sister of Ida Shenk. They went,
however, to the Carlysle lodging house
and the two men secured a room Oh the
third floor. The two men were the de-
PENDANTS. but who had given assumed
names, Watson being called Shea. They
repaired to the room assigned by the
night clerk. The men produced bot
tie of brandy and induced the girl to
ulliih oOhlO VI lts LII tnO lOUIl was q
bed and lounge. The men went out
and Ida Shenk undreSsed to go to bed
and induced the child to do so, with the
explanation that her sisters house was
closed up and they would go there the
next morning. The men returned to the
room and Watson tried to induce the
child to go to a separate room with him,
but she refused to do so and began to
cry. She was quieted down and Wat
son. with ida Shenk, persuaded her
to sit on his knee. The two men I'M
dressed. and together with Ida Shenk
occupied the bed, whilst Grace May
Ellis took quilt and laid down upon
the lounge. Watson subsequently went
to the lounge and attempted liberties
with the child, who cried and protested.
The night clerk of the hotel came to the
door and asked as to the trouble. He
was told that it was only a slight trouble
between man and his wife, and that
the child was the wife of one of the
men and had three children. After that
the little girl was Quieted and told she
would not be harmed. She then went
to sleep on the lounge and slept until
after Z o'clock in the morning. They
all left the lodging house together.
The men separated from them on
the street. After breakfast Ida Shenk
on Broadway. Ida shenk told the girl
when she asked about the position in
the candy store that it was ssonly q