The times., 1897-05-18


Interest in the proceedings against
Alfred B. TaIcott, on the charge of IN
decently assaulting five small girls, reached
its highest pitch yesterday just before
adjournment, when Attorney Carrlngton
placed the aged defendant on the stand.
AS he walked from his seat beside his
counsel his years were very apparent.
His step was feeble and halting and his
back bent A chair was placed III the
witness box, as he could not have boone
tbe fatigue of standing His voice was
thin and weak and at times almost in
audible. Several times during his testi-
mony he gave way completely and sobbed
aloud, with his face in his hands, while
the faces of many of the jurors and
audience worked in sympathy.
After describing the exterior of his
house and the grounds about it, Mr. Tai
cott was asked If what the little girls
had said was true. At this be burst into
tears ana exclaimed, vehemently, No, sir;
no, sir God knows | didn't do it,"
did you ever have your hands on
them in an improper Manner
No, sir l played with them as | would
a kitten he said, still sobbing. :" have
been fool about children all my life,
ever since l was a boy. l could never
pass a baby i'll a carriage without tax
ing 1T III my arms
You have little girl or your own, about
eight years old?'
Yes. L suppose they would swear
did the same thing to her
The witness told OF some previous trou-
bic that he had on one occasion with SaXtry
and how his wife said: Pop, YOU have done
the worst thing YOU ever did in your life
You have made enemies OF those Toys for
life, land so it has proven" he continued.
''Did you give money to the boys VINO
bring these charges against your"
"Yes, l have given them in all s3s.
"Hnw did you happen TO give them the
money!"
At this the aged defendant again lost
his sclf-control and burst into teais.
Il did Sc any man would have done,
he said, between sobs Il have lived in
this city for thirty years without the
slightest shade on my reputation, and
when these boys made these infamous ac-
cusations against me and said they wanted
S25 as hush money, sooner than have such
an awful charge placed against me, gave
ittot Butit wasplain blackInail y
But you Offered Mr.. Hartley, the father
ue Phoebe, $500 a few days ago to have
the case stopped?" asked Assistant District
Attorney Mullowny, on cross examination.
Its allie, - exclaimed the defendant, half
rising from his chair, and shaking his fist
violently. Its a lie. God knows it's q
lie
The witness told how, on the day in ques-
tion, the two smaller girls had cor.e into
his yard to play with his little daughter.
Mabel. The latter ran away in the course
of Il child s game, and the other children
ran over To the chicken house, on which he
was making some repairs. He told them not
to go in, as the floor was dirty, and spread
mating over il for them.
1t was just after this that he heard the
boys call out a short time afterward
the boys came TO him with the PROPOSE
ton OF which ne spoke in the inst part
OF his testimony.
That's all, Mr.. Talcott," said Mr..
Darlington .'One thing Inole would like
to say continued the witness. THESE
boys and the people in my neighborhood
imagine l am very wealthy, and the
thought of my accusers was that they we're
going to make Il Iich haul. would also like
to say thatsthis is the fist case i have
heard in court in all my life. -
That's Gun case, your honor" said At
torney Darlington.
Hartley, the father OF Phoebe testified
that after tie trial last Friday he stopped
Talcott and told him that he had polluted
his daughter for life. The latter pleaded
that he was an old man and couldn't have
done the girl any harm He further Of
fered 5000 il the case could be disposed Of
During the morning Attorney Caring
ton, for the defense, introduced a number
of witnesses who testified TO the good
character OF the defendant and to the bad
reputation OF the alleged victims and of
the boys upon whose information The arrest
was made
DR.. j. B. Gregg GUSTS, physician to the
Talcott family, testified that To the best of
his belief it would be impossible for a man
of Talcott's age and physique to act as the
two older girls had testified.
Attorney Darlington next had Mrs. Tai
cott called, intending to show that Mr.. Tai
colt was incapable of the assaults charged,
but Judge kimball challenged her, and ask
ed by what maxim of law the lawyer held
chat man s wife could testify for or
against him.
"Well," answered the latter, ''the only
rule l know is the rule of Justice, which
would require that if a certain fact were
In the sole possession of a mans wife
she should he allowed to state it in bis
behalf
When O'Clock, the time for adjourning
the court, arrived, Judge KiInbaIl con-
tinued the case until this morning at 10
O'Clock.