The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-03-07
THE BEACH TRIAL BEGUN
NOTABLE TESTIMONY GIVEN BY
WITNESSES.

secretary Thrasher's Flrst Witness
Intercsting Developments Some Pas
sages at Arms-Other Witnesses
Testify.
The trial of William Y. Beach was
begun In the Orange town court yester-
day morning with Judge Bryant on the
bench. The court room was filled with
a gathering Of people from the different
walks of life all anxious for glimpse
of the prisoner. He was defended by
Attorneys Goodhart and Lynch of this
city, while the prosecution was repre-
sented by Attorney G. X. Bush of
West Haven.
When court opened Attorney Bush
stated that he had amended the COM
plant to read had enticed a female
known as Clara Layton" Attorney
Goodhart demurred to this on the
ground that the correct name of the
woman should be inserted in order that
his client might know who his accuser
was. After a lengthy argument the
court sustained the demurrer and or
dered that the correct name Of the Wo-
man be inserted in the complaint.
1t was then amended to read Mrs.
Nellie Hodhkirk, known as Clara Lay
Nellie Hooghkirk, known as Clara Lay
ter-in-law of Secretary Thrasher, and
1t Is understood she was merely intro
duced into the case as a matter Of
necessity by Mr.. Thrasher, at the last
moment, on account Of the sickness OF
his principal witness.
Mrs. Hooghkirk resides at 274 Green
witch avenue, in this city, and was pres
ent during the trial all day being called
upon as witness in the afternoon. AT
ter the settlement of the legal question
just mentioned, the investigation pro-
ceeded, Beach pleading not guilty.
Secretary Thrasher was the first wit
ness for the state, his testimony
which included the reading of several
letters being quite sensational After
his testimony, which is given below, he
was cross-examined by Lawyer Good
hart, and some of the tilts between the
two were amusing During one of these
Lawyer Goodhart questioned: did you
see Mrs. Hooghkirk yourself when she
got off the train and went towards Mr.
Beach," mo SIR" said the witness;
Beach; he came to her." Later Mr.
Goodhart questioned: do you know
Mrs. Hoghkirk?"
Witness-"Yes sir do; she's my sis
ter-in- law"
Attorney Goodhart-"Your sister-in-
law by marriage?"
Witness-"Yes, sir; don't hardly see
how she could be my sister-in-law any
other way"
Mr.. Thrasher testified that the adver-
tisement which was shown and read ap-
peared in a New Haven paper Novem-
Der 49, 1t read:
''WANTED-Intellig young lady;
good reader and writer. Address H.,
Box 1916, City"
Mr.. Thrasher stated that he caused
letter replying to the advertisement
to be written. copy of which was
shown in evidence.
1t was dated New York, Feb. g. 1899,
and gave the address of 215 Pearl St,
Brooklyn, N. Y. 1t was signed fict-
tiously Clara Layton. Several days lat
er the following answer, signed Haynes
Randall, was received:
Yours received with pleasure-I am
a widower, so years old-living alone
no children or others in the house.
am not looking for a Sunday school
teacher but simply an unconventional,
stylish, entertaining young lady who
can read and write well, and if she can
play the piano and sing little it would
add to her attractiveness To such a
one can offer a congenial house There
would be no work to mention and no
salary, although disposed to grant any
additional favors, they would have a
recognition that would apply to the ex-
pense of wardrobe.
Please reply to
HAYNES RANDALL"
Thrasher's answer to this letter was
not given in evidence. He did, how
ever, communicate further with Beach,
otherwise Randall, who replied, the Sec
ond time, as follows:
"wednesday, Feb. s.
my Dear Friend
yours just received, I was much
pleased with your open frankness.
wrote you and meant just what think
you fully understand in regard to other
favors. If granted they would be re-
ciprocated which would help on ward
robe.
"Your board and rooms you would, of !
course, have, as live IN my own mouse |
all alone. 1t has seven rooms and bath. !
Later on If you desire 1 can send you
a photo of it, also Of myself, both to be
returned. I am fifty and a grass wild |
over; no kids. My wife and separat- |
ed about two years ago and she now |
lives with her relatives and never comes |
near the house. want person who |
has a reputation to care for, same as |
you seem to have.
IT will tell you how I once managed |
it with friend, who is now in San
Fran. She and her supposed mother
rented my cottage and I boarded with
them Her mother was an invalid and
could not often leave her room, This
fabrication passed all right. No one
has ever yet caught on. The same plan
could be well received by the neighbors,
the same as she always was 1 should
always be kind and gentle and careful
of your reputation. / fully understand
that is Of great importance to a girl.
Tell me about your personal attrac-
tons. Have you nice teeth of your own
and nice long hair? l like nice ap-
pearing lady, like quiet people. I have
~ f3,a ,,nyioht Y,ianO Return tbic 1et- |