The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-08
NEGRO CoURTEsANs
Called to Testify to Scott Jackson's
LicentiOus Character.

LfcenttOus Character.
The afternoon session promised. just before
the hour OF opening, to be enlivened by the
testimony of small drove OF colored fair
les from George street, who came over the
river during the noon recess at the solicita-
ton Of the prosecution, it is said, to testify
to the acquaintance of Scott Jackson. They
were brought in under the guise OF rebuttal
testimony in the matter of the character OF
the accused. Their presence caused much
amusement. and ladies were warned to with
draw from the court room when the first
courtesan was put on the stand.
Alice Smith, colored, of No. Z Longworth
street. testified that she conducted house
OF prostitution and had known Scott Jackson
since four weeks before Christmas. Colonel
Nelson asked her If Scott Jackson had been
in her house, but Colonel Crawford object
ed Colonel Nelson stated the Defendants
character had been brought in for considera-
ton by the defense, and that he was simply
offering evidence in rehuttal, as he wanted
his residence in Cincinnati. Colonel Nelson
temporarily dropped. the question and asked
the witness where she first met Jackson.
Colonel Crawford also objected TO this, but
Judge Helm ovewuled the objection upon the
statement of Colonel Nelson that he was
simply asking the question to precede an
other item of testimony. Judge Helm then
ordered the entire evidence of the witness
excluded. The jury got the effect, however.
Lottie Turner, another colored woman, was
called. Colonel Nelson began her examina-
ton ingeniously. He neither asked her
where she lived nor her occupation although
it was well known, but asked her if she
knew Scott Jackson. She said she did, and
had known him since November, 1895. Judge
Hal, i
ton 10 bring out the location of the wit
ness's residence or her occupation, and she
was excused
Detective Cal. Grim was recalled and Col.
Nelson asked him If he heard the CONVEX
sation between Chief Deitch and Walling
In inc; 5aek hs,t presence; Col crawford oh,
changed the question.
Did YOU he said, hear the conversa-
ton of Walling and Chief Deitsch wherein
Nalling said in Jacksons presence that he
(Jacksom was going to bring Pearl Bryan
TO Cincinnati and poison her in a room and
then cut her into pieces, and in what man
Col Crawford then objected to the QueS-
ton. holding that in the direct testimony
Chief Deitsch and others had stated that
Jackson had denied the allegation of Wal
ling, and that in what manner Jackson
made the denial was not to be considered
He held that the question was not in rebuff
tai and was not admissible in this instance
Judge Helm, however, overruled the OBJ
lection.
There then ensued a long wrangle as to
the admission of this testimony earlier given
by Mayor Caldwell. Chief Deitsch. detec-
tiveS Grim and McDermott and Sheriff
Plummer. The detectives Coz. Deitsch and
Mayor Caldwell were all in court and Col
Crawford declared that they were being
lugged into the case again for the effect It
would have on the jury. Col. Crawford
even spoke of Col. Deitsch being there in
''all his regimentals.''
Judge Helm made short Gu. of the whole
thing by allowing the testimony of Chief
Deitsch, Mayor Caldwell and others. which
was ruled out earlier, to be considered by
the jury for the purpose of rebutting the
testimony of Scott Jackson.
Col Deitsch, called, was asked the same
question over the objection of Col. Craw-
ford, but the chief, like detective Grim no.
ticed nothing particular about Jackson's
manner at that time 1t seems likely now
that the whole story of the police inter-
views with Jackson and Walling will be
gone over again, as Jackson testified con-
corning them. and the former testimony
which was ruled out seems to be competent.
Mayor Caldwell then stated on the stand
that there was nothing unusual in the man.
ner of Jackson when he made the denial of
Walling'S statement. He simply said WAL
lie, you know that isn't true"