The Portland daily press., 1897-09-01
ESPECIAL TO THE pREss.l

| Bath, August 31.-Early this forenoon
were resumed, the court room being
again filled and women were in the ma
| jority.
| Before opening court Judge Whitehouse
warned his auditors that no expression of
pleasure or displeasure would be allowable
and that in case of indecent testimony he
should order the court room cleared as he
should have done yesterday had he known
what was coming.
Miss Sarah Wells was the first witness
called, her testimony being to the effect
| that she resided near DR.. Roberts house,
often saw his children, that they were
well hammered and showed evidence of
the best of care and breeding.
Miss Anna Swanton was then called
and stated that she lived in the next
house to the one occupied by DR.. Roberts,
and corroborated the statements of the
preceding witness as to the appearance
and condition of the children.
| Here the defense rested it's case and
Lawyer Whitehouse, who represented Mrs.
court room cleared of spectators on ac-
count of the evidence which might be in
troduced Lawyer Newell, who is DIR.
Roberts counsel, agreed to this and the
| Judge with the lawyers retired to an ante
room to discuss the proceedings and the
evidence which was to be introduced.
Finally the judge announced that the
hon all fbo Of atofp
which he did, most of them being ap-
parently very reluctant to go. When all
were outside except members of the bar
and press representatives Judge White
house and the attorneys again withdrew
and it was 11.3O before they completed
their conference.
Upon the opening of proceedings again
Mrs. Irene Patten was called to the stand
and questioned regarding the story told
by the house keeper. She admitted re-
clining on the sofa with Mr.. Patten and
that he made advances to her. She did
not then or at any other time have any
| improper relations with Mr.. Patten.
John O. Patten was then recalled and
stated that he never sat in hammock
1
the story told by the former stable boy
was base fabrication from beginning to
end except that he did remember sneak :,
ing appearing boy who came to his office
several times with notes.
| Admitted that he made improper adj
vances to Mrs. Roberts on the night de-
scribed by the servant girl, but did not
| l, LOT
| Here the case was rested and it was
announced that no more evidence would
| be introduced and that the counsel for
DR.. Roberts would not in his argument
attempt to push the claim of criminal in
tercourse after which Judge Whitehouse
announced this finding:
II am prepared to make public an
point. After carefully considering the
testimony of Bertha l.. Drew, her man
ner and bearing while giving the testi'
mony and carefully comparing 1t with
the explanation and strong denials of
these parties, the evidence fails to satisfy
| my mind that criminal intimacy ever ex-
listed between these parties, and l am pre-
pared to find that it never existed"
| In the afternoon the court room was
again crowded with spectators and many
women were there in fact many OF them
were those who were excluded this fore
noon They came early SO as to be sure
and get seats.
+ At 3 80 O'Clock court opened and Lawyer
John Scott who represented DR.. Roberts
opened his argument which was a strong
one and well worded. He was followed
| by Lawyer Whitehouse representing Mrs.
Roberts -Patten, who made a very able
argument. after which the court stated
| that it would consider the matter over
might and give it's decision tomorrow.