The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-06
THE OSBORNE CASE
Captain 0sborne's Wife Held to Answer
the CHARGE of Perjury.

LONDON, Feb. 5-Mrs Florence Ethel
Osborne, who voluntarily surrendered her
self to the police yesterday to answer tC
the charges made against her in coanec-
tiOn with the theft and sale of a quantity
of valuable Jewelry belonging TO Mrs Har-
Ereave, formerly an intimate friend of the
accused, was formally arraigned before
Lord Mayor Evans this morning. The
Court room was filled with fashionable
crowd. sympathy was expressed on all
Edes for Captain Osborne, the husband of
the unfortunate woman, who has stood
nObly beside his wife through evil report,
and even when he knew beyond a doubt
that she had committed the crime that
has brought such heavy disgrace to him
front of the solicitors bench, directly fac
ing Lord Mayor Evans. She had been
brought IN from the Cloak Lane police sta
tIon, where she had spent the night after
her arrival in London from Dover. On
her right was her husband and on her left
the detectives She appeared utterly
broken down. She kept her handkerchief
10 her eyes, and occasionally her whole
frame would shake with convUlsIve sobs
Captain Osborne was most soliCItous and
devoted in bis attention to her He kept
his hand on her arm and tried bY word
uuG kindly touch to comfort her. The
scene was most pathetic one.
Lord Mayor Evans entered the court
room, and Mrs. Osborne. with a brave
effort, regained Il little composure. The
court was declared opened and the formal
charge against Mrs. Osborne. of obtaining
money under false pretenses, by repre-
BenJing herself as the rightful owner of
the lewelry she sold to Messrs. Spinker
a son, was read. Mrs. Osbornc's solicitor
arose aud announced that Mrs. Osborne
had surrendered herself voluntarily TO the
police ln order to meet the charge against
ner. Lord Mayor Evans said that he was
unahle TO proceed with the case until the
treasury was represented. Then eusued "A
long wait, which proved too much for the
strained nerves of Mrs. Osborne She be
came hystercal, and at the Lord Mayor's 5
suggestion was taken to an adjoining COM
mlttee room, To await the coming OF a
representative of the treasury Cantain
Osborne supported her on one side aud a
StalWart detective on the other. They
were compelled 20 almost carry her
Finally Mr.. Cuife, representing the treas
Ury, appeared in the courtroom, and court
was resumed. The Lord Mayor stated that
the case would not require the presence Of
Mrs. Osborne, aud she therefore was not
again subjected TO the ordeal OF appearing
IN the courtroom. Mr. CUffe said that
the treasury had no evidence 10 offer
against the prisoner, whereupon Lord
Mayor Lyans promptly discharged Mrs.
Osborne.
The detectives again placed Mrs Osborne
under arrest on the charge o. perjury, for
testliying IN the libel suit brought by her
against Mrs. HargreSve that she was en-
rlrely lnnoceUJ of the theft and that She
knew nothing whatever about the missing
1ewelry. She was at once taken TO the
police court, where the formal charge was
made against her. Captain Osborne went
with her 10 the police station. The repre-
sentative Of the treasury said that he
would only prove the fact of Mrs Osborne's
arrest, and would then ask that the matter
lie adjourned. The police testified to the
arrest OF Mrs. Osborne NJ Dover. and the
magistrate then remaaGed her for A week.
Bail WAS offered, bUt was refused. Mrs.
Osborne was then removed TO Holloway
Jail Captain Osborne accompanied her
10 prison.
It will be remembered that on the trial
o. the libel Sult counsel for Mrs Osborne
taClJly admitted that the charges We're
true. Mrs. Osborne had previously been
subjected TO long aud searching cross
examination, during which sne had i'm
pressed the spectators with the belief that
She was much mallgned woman. The
admission OF her lawyers that she was
guilty came as a shock 10 the lady : friends
and sympathizerS.
The police at once took out a warrant
for her arrest for perjury but before they
could serve q Mrs Osborne had fled There
were many conJectuIeS rs TO whittier she
had gone, some OF the reports having IL
that she had fed 10 France. while Others
stated that she had caught "a steauerai
Queenstown and sailed for the United
States.