The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-31
PRINCESS META ON THE STAND
The Owner OF Beauty Won
der" in Its Defense
is A CENTER OF ATTRACTION
Busy Explaining Matters Connec ted
With Her Business
She Declares That She Is the Sole Owner Of
a-,1 Torfz
is A CENTER OF ATTRACTION
She Declares That She Is the Sole Owner Of
the Preparation, and Tells How
She Conducted Its Sales

| !
| The table was almost covered with speci-
mems of fancy work. of mure or less ex-
cellence, while several bottles of the
| Beauty Wonder" which is good for ev-
erything except mumps, were attractievly
grouped in the center. Hon. J. Marion
Brooks was on hand early and took quite
aspride in the artistic display of his fair
client. All the Wizards were in evidence,
Princess Meta, of course, being the center
of attraction
The first witness called was Mrs. n eta
Willard, the head of the business, some
times known as Princess Meta. The
young woman was dressed in her usual
good taste and likewise had her full stock
of self possession about her. Mrs. Will
lard said that she was born at Sturgis.
Mich, and was raised there. She was
now 20 years OF age and had been marie d
little over three years. The with ess
then gave her pedigree in eXtenso, and
said that her father and mother were
now living at Battle Greek, Mich. Prior
to her marriage she had besn engaged in
the manufacture OF the Beauty Won
der" Mrs. willard said that she had
first come to Los Angeles about year
ago, and was accompanied by her hug
bana and his father-in- law. They first
located ON North Main street. but after
ward removed to Sixteenth street. he
returned east after Christmas with her
husband and his father. The old gentle
man, she said, lives with his children
and does nothing, as he is an invalid.
II ain the sole owner OF tho Beauty
III ar
partners. / opened up business in Los
Angeles at No. 115I North Nam street
when | came here.
At this point Juror Wigmore told the
court that he was feeling badly and asked
TO be excused for a few minutes. II is re-
quest was granted and recess of thirty
minutes was deolated.
the hearing was resumed at IL is
o'clock, when Mrs. Willard resumed the
stand and went into a further statement
OF her distinguished antecedents, saying
that she had heard her grandfather say
that his father was with Washington at
Valley Forge. She was strictly an Amer
lean girl, and had never taken time to
study any foreign language, as English
was good enough for her. Witness said
that she had had dealings with Mrs. Min
nie Stevens, and incidentally scored that
lady, saying that she had written her that
she was finely formed, good looking
woman, evidently with a view to infu-
encing her in appointing her as her
agent The WITNESS then went on to tell
about establishing q depot in San Fran
cisco for the sale OF her goods. and Incl.
dentally brought IN Mrs. Harrison, an
other beauty doctor, to impeach Mrs.
Stevens.
An effort was made to get in certifi-
cate lndorsing tie Beauty Wonder" but
on the objection of the United States at
tOrney it was excluded.
The defense then offered letter indoors.
ing the Beauty Wonder" which was
objected to by the government, when
argument followed, which continued up
to the noon hour.
at the afternoon session Mrs. W lizard
was recalled to the stand by the defense
and questioned regarding the receipt of
letters from various parties whom she had
engaged as agents. An attempt was then
made to introduce the letters In evidence
which was objected to by the prosecuting
| attorney and sustained. Questions as to
the contents of the letters were propound-
ed and the fact deducted that no obiec-
| tons had come form the agents in ques-
ton to the defendants methods of con-
| Quoting her business or the articles
handled in that business.
Attorney Denis demanded that the let
! tiers be shown him, and after reading
| them he called the court s attention to
certain passages in them and requested
| that witnesses testimony relating to
| them be stricken out. In standardization
of mis- position Mr.. Denis presented long
| and forcible argument, oontsndng that
i the evidence was incompetent and imma-
terial on the grounds that 1t did not con-
| trRdict the proofs already given to the
| point that Miss Bond and others had
| been fraudu emily dealt with.
"You might taxa any number of the
million and half Of people in this state
and have them testify that they had been
| defrauded, but what would that have to
do with disproving tina: these unfortunate
| individuals have been defrauded?''
| Mr.. Brooks replied with an equally long
| and 1orcible speech, and his points were
EN- phasized by his colleague. c. G.
| Bower, who established the fact that the
evidence was pertinent inasmuch as it
showed that many agencies, similar to
| the ones referred to in the indictment,
had bean established and were, according
| TO the voluntary statements of the agents,
both satisfactory and lucrative.
| the court ruled that the evidence was
admissible and the defense proceeded to
| further in terrogate the witness.
By this means it was proven that
branch agencies had been established bv
the defendant at the following places and
with the following persons in charge:
Mrs. Georgia Ridgeway at Woodlands
Miss Jennie 7. Stearns at Yuba City,
| MISS a. j. Ithpp at nevada ClUy, MIS- Ii.
| Darling at Santa Cruz. and Miss Lillian
M. Graves at Tucson, Arizona.
| Mrs. Willard could not recollect the
| names of her agents, and her memory
was refreshed by allowing her to look az
the letters Further questt oning was
ended by the prosecuting attorney, who
surprised his colleaguesiby asking that
| the letters In question be introduced in
evidence as an EXHIBIT of the United
| States. The court gave favorable ruling
and Colonel BROOKS then read each
| eplstle to the jury. The substance of
every one was most Entering account
of 'Beauty Wonder" and praise of its
proprietor, Mrs. willard. Several of them
reported large and profitable sales and
contained orders for additional ship
ment'. One or two were full of personal
matter, expressing the warmost feeling
for Mrs. Willard. In no single instance
was anything written derogatory to the
defendant or her business.
After concluding the reading OF the let
tiers, the defense put few questions to
tho witness for the purpose of proving
that she alone was connected with the
affair.
HAS 7. A. Willard assisted you in
putting your goods on the market?" was
the first question.
mo. | have conducted my business
alone" the witness replied.
Mrs. Willard was then told to explain
to the court how it was that her name
appeared as Nita l.. Willard on some or
the letter heads and as Mia K. Willard
on others.
She offerel this PLANTATION: that the
engraving from which tue letter heads