Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1895-06-28
the SPENCER DAMAGE CASE
The Sensational Suit Of Louisa DOno
hue vs.. .I"ha Spencer on Trial
III the District Court.
The Fair Plaintiff Tells the jury the
Story OF Her a AlleGed Wrongs
and Suffering.

The sensational damage case of Dono~
hue vs. Spencer was called Wednesday
m orning in tine district court The court
room was fairly we'll filled and the court
in opening the case stated that on the
first demonstration of any kind he would
order the room cleared. 1t took about
all the forenoon to secure jury, great
many jurors stating that they had
formed an opinion on the case, Wm'
Wallace. Jr., and II. Cooper appeared for
the plaintiff and Judge Mcdonnell
and Leslie & Downing and j. L. Lewis
for the defendant The testimony opened
in the afternoon by the prosecution
placing the fair plaintiff, who looked
pale and interesting, on the stand. Id
rcspouse to direct examination che stated
that her name was Louisa Donohuo; her
age she did not exactly know; thought it
WAS IS or %; had resided in Great Falls
since 1891; defendant was her brother-ln-
law; went to his house to assist IN care
of house in April! 1888; LETT February L,
1854; have taught music and worked at
millinery; Mrs Spencer left for Cali
fornia in January, 1894, leaving ber in
charge of the children. Under
stood from Mrs Spencer that
defendant would stay at his ranch. only
visiting the children whom he was in
town; after Mrs. S. left, defendant stayed
at his town house most of the time; wit
ness slept in a room with two beds, one oc-
cupied by herself, one by defendants
eldest daughter; defendant slept in ad-
joining room, which was MT. spencer
! bedroom; witness had asked Mrs. >. Ior
| KEYS to her room, but could not find any.
Before Mrs. S. left, defendant had on one
occasion acted in an ungentlemanly man
ner to plaintiff; had lain down on her
bed and ticl1led her. On Jan Is he took
hold of her and embraced and squeezed
her in most disgusting manner; wit
ness asked hun why he did 80 and he
eaid he liked TO squeeze young ladies;
on evening of 23a Mr.. Scott called and
brought with him book of worlds fair
pictures; after he left defendant ap.
preached her while she was looking at
the pictures and put his arm around her
waist, twice; each time he removed It,
and finally left; he drew his chair close
beside her on one occasion and laid his
hand on her person; on being asked why
he did so replied he liked to feel tho
touch of a woman; she resented his con-
duct on that occasion.
On the morning Of the oath inst. very
early, he came into her bed room IN hls
night attire and,approsching her ed,laid
his hand on her, asking in whisper II
she was awake; sc replied, ~ es, and
asked what he wanted; he then asked
ia a whisper if his daughter, Annie, was
awake; she replied, NO, it was too carly.
lie then said, II want to squeeze you a
little" and got into bed with her. (Wit-
ness then detailed Il conversation and lm-
proper acts on his part that occurred
and her resentment. During this time
she did not make any outcry because she
thought 1t would be d terrible thing il
his daughter, Annie, should awake and
; fluid her father in that situation. tlnaily,
beng foiied ia his horrible design, de-
fenuant lef, the bed and won't
TO his room aud witness got
) up aud dressed and then woke ANNE
Spencer who WAS very sound sleeper;
, gUt breakfast; Chldren called Their
father; AFTER breakfast he came into the
llitcneu and III a very lmperLlnent man
; rur tickled witness She said keep your
HANDS ufI me; thought he mad gone t.
The rdncI. that Guy pat no returned tha.
evening: after he nad returned ne came
10 her bedroom and wanted TO make hci
1. hot whisky slug, urged her u take II
till hU saw lurhet persuasion was u-e-
less and then LETT her. Next morning
caue To kitchen and spoke to her aho
1 sbe would Lor reply; when he saw sHt
r Was angry ne went away; about = D. u
that day he returned and round hli
alone in dining room making Al over
> dress: drew his chair close 10 hers anC
1 asked what she was doing; to.H hlIu; ht
e said get a new one and took $40 from his
q pocket and handed it her saying hl
would give her more; she refused the
: money saying she could get her own
r dresses. lie persisted III thrustnE lht
c money on her and she tinaIly took 1t say
: inr ene always did business on th(
square and would give him credit fer tht
amount on her wages. His manner WhiCl
t had been very pleasant changed at onc'
T. and he moved TO the other side Of the table
+ took up a paper and spoke no more t(
- her. Next morning, on the 2Gth, the de
fcndant again mad Il conversation VIII
her. Shn asked MIN what he meant h.
his conduct to her and what he would d>
: to a rattan who would attempt 10 dc
Z such rhlug3 TO his daughter Us he h&l
@ done 10 her, She told him that thL
- would not be the end OF the mRtter. Il L
drew himself to his full heighth aud
! locking down on her, said thGt his iniu
n enco in this community wae such tha
d she could do nothing about IT. lie thel
q went away and went 10 his ranch.
~ packed up my things preparatory f
y leaving the house, On February | h
e returned TO the house When saw hin
10 was very much frightened and went t
"a my room, lockcu NY trunks, an
left the house about an hou
- afterwards, leaving him a lette
1t stating my reasons Council for plant
lg if here introduced a copy Of the lettel
h, which che identified rs being correct an
:, Spencer's reply) The letter stated i
IA substance that on account of his conduC
toward her ehe left the house and aske