Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-23
F AK PLACED ON TRIAL
Former eonfectisner Under Indictment on
d
Charge of Adultery
Evidence Giyen Today by the Young
Girl with Whom He Was
u Associated.

MaXimillisn WI Falk, who formerly con-
Quoted confectionery establishment on
18th street Pbetwsen L and F streets, was
placed on trial ins Criminal Court No. l to-
day under an Indictment charging adultery.
Inc case at the time the facts were first
made public, more than a year ago, at
tracted widespread attention, mainly by
reason Of the prominent part played in it
by Miss Hattie Minnie Dawson. school
girl of unusually attractive appearance.
After hearing in the Police Court Mr.. Falk
was held to await the action of the grand
jury. He was subsequently indicted and,
after several postponements, was placed on
trial today. Assistant District Attorney Jo-
seph Shillington appeared for the govern
ment, MeSsrs. Charles Bendheim and c. c..
Carlin representing the defendant.
After the assistant district attorney had
explained to the jury what the govern
ment expected to prove, Rev. Edward
Huber minister of the gospel was called
to the stand. He testified that he per-
formed the ceremony uniting Macmillan
w. Falk and Minnie NJ. Dante in matri-
mony, in Baltimore, December 80, 1891.
Miss Dawson a Witness.
Miss Davidson then appeared as a witness
for the government. She stated that she
was seventeen years of age the LIST of last
September. She met Falk at River View
in July, two years ago. She had gone to
that resort on an excursion given by school
children, she at that time being a pupil at
the Webster School. She was fifteen years
OF age at the time she met Falk The
evening of the day in question she was in
his company most of the time
Continuing, the witness testified that g
few days after the excursion Faik passed
her house and engaged in conversation with
her He told her he was going to New
York and invited her to accompany him.
She met him several times thereafter, and
he repeated the invitation He told her he
was married, but could not gee with his
wife. and the latter was suing him for di-
vorce Later on, according to Miss Davi-
son. she again, met Falk He told her that
he had been to New York and remarked
that she hadn't grit enough to go with
him The fall of 1897 the witness was
sent to school at Mount St Agnes, five
miles outside of Baltimore.
She returned to this city for the Christ
mas holidays. she said, the ODD of Decem-
Der, 1897 Christmas eve she went past
Faik's store on 18th street Falk came out
and talked with her. She had an engage
ment with him for Christmas day, but did
not keep it,. She saw him the Tuesday fol-
lowing Christmas, however, and arranged
to leave home the following Thursday. Her
reason for leaving home was that she did
not wish to return to the school near Bal
timore. Falk stated to her, Miss Davi-
son testified, that ne would back her in
every lilll.S she ulu. SQe lett nome, as ar
ranged, Thursday, the Both of December,
1891 and went to Falks store about pm.
Falk closed the. store. and they went to-
Sether to a hotel in this city. They spent
the night there Friday evening he sent a
carriage for her, and she was driven TO the
18th street store. Falk purchased a wrap
per and Undertaking for her. They re-
manned in "a rear apartment of the store
until Saturday evening. when they were
discovered by the parents of the witness
and an officer. Miss Dawson admitted that
she had been guilty of acts of indiscretion
with Falk. 1r
Her Cross-ES m nation.
On cross-examination Miss Dawson ad-
mitted that she testified in the Police Court
that Falk had advised her to g home
when she appeared at the store Shs also
admitted that after the episode at the ho-
tel she had said that If he did not allow
her to remain with him she would go to
some improper place.
Miss Dawson declared she had testified
falsely in the Police Court. She did So she
said, in order to shield Falk, and also be-
cause she did not fully understand at that
time the nature of an oath. At the time
told her not to say anything one way or the
other and she was then under his influence.
A This point recess was taken.
After recess the REORGANIZATION of
Miss Dawson was continued, but nothing
new was developed. The trial was then
suspended in order that a jury might be
impair eled in the Strather murder case.
The Falk trial had not been resumed when
this report closed.