The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-18
MRS. BAIRD DECLINED TO ANSWER
Her Testimony as a Witness I'm the
niHnmy Case Sfops short

Special Dispatch To the observation-disclosures
TACOMA. Feb. 1T-Ths afternoon the
preliminary hearing OF the bigamy charge
against j. Harry Baird was begun In the
municipal court. and at $50 this evening
the hearing was adjourned to tomorrow
With Mrs. Matte l.. Smith Baird on the
stand under a ,cross-examination, and
practically in the position Of q reealcitrant
witness by reason or her refusal 10 re-
ply 10 u question put to her. The initial
inquiry OF Itself promises to make this
bgamy case one OF more than usual SEN
Sation and the manner in which the de-
fense has commenced It's fight shows there
VIII be many surprises in store for those
who believe they have been acquainted
with Baird and the lady who now charges
him with bigamy
The first hour of the hearing was devot-
ed 20 hearing testimony from witnesses
who know Baird well. and who told how
In introduced and lived with the plaintlT
as his wife. one OF the witnesses testified
70 having served notary for Baird ana
the plaintiff and as having taken their
Acknowledgements as man and wife. Aud
itor Spike testified TO having recorded
deeds transferring property. in which
Baird and the plaintiff transferred the
property 10 4 third party as man and
wife.
The plaintiff was put on the stand by
her attorneys and told how she and Baird
had gone 70 San Francisco. and had there
entered into q contract marriage. she
could not tell the name OF the Justice of
the peace nor the witnesses TO the con-
tract. but gave the dates OF leaving i A.
coma. their coatraCt marriage and their
return here These were the more i'm
portant points Of her testimony. and when
ked II she could produce the contract
she replied that Baird had taken * about
one month after the ceremony ana she
had never since seen T.
When the attorney for the defense be-
gan the cross-examination he led the Wit
ness over the same incidents she had al
ready testified to- ana then sSili:ulsy
questioned her az 20 dates OF leaving Ta-
coma. arrival a. san Francisco. etc. ri
nally he had the witness admit she ar
rived in san Francisco At least one day
prior 10 her contract marriage. Further
questions led her 20 admit that she and
Baird stopped az a hotel as man and wife
the night before their formal union hy
contract. II was when the attorney put
more direct question as 10 whore ana
with whom she slept on that night that
a legal battle ensued. In which Baird al
torney limited that ne had q great deal 10
show concerning the prosecuting witness
On her own testimony. that To-.td have a
material l-aFing on the case.
Assistant Prosecutor Hugh Farley at
tempted 70 defend the witness. and after
tae court ordered her 20 answer the Ques-
zion which raised al the row. she would
Ugt do g.. III Farley made a talk -
justify this last attitude OK the witness
and the codrt then took a hand. saying
lie consi 3eTed the ~ s@cuior gong beyond
the duties q his position IL defending the
witness and tina, unless q better showing
ba made q Justify her refusal 70 reply
20 ta@ question he would certainly trsa.
her a. reaalcitraat with So Az adjourn
merit w8~ faken win the question ar
answered and WIKI the courts order .
bring further proof - STOW Why Sue
should oc obey his order or he would use
BIS authority - compel her obedience.
TIE complaining wi;uess 8 a refined ap-
Teartng lady. s.euderly built. Win clean
cut. delicate features an1 the general alr
- "a person ~ education. she was tastay
dressed ~ black Bat shovel excessive
. nervcGSEes throughout the afternoon.
she - quite Ael known in Tacoma. whers
she has many warm friends among well
known respectable rssf1erts- she was
accompanied In tne c0u:< rooFa by tuo
lady friends Gue CT whom. drs. f.llza bet8
! &4eS5. Nas w.,Esess 81 her behalf
BAIRD 50. with nts attorney during ira
na+~iug ard pad 10 apparent attention
wEsfsVer 20 tac plaintiff When &Ee "a.
on she sand he changed hfs position -
"a . sock -wav from asr ard while ~
took memoranda 81 the evidence. he cid
not Orcs openly Jock n ;hc witness. t4iz
send erding the preliminary hearing k
rarse today. End ae was cEGcTsa 10 ig--