The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-10
WRIGHT AS AN ATTORNEY
HE CONDUCTS HIS OWN DEFENSE BE-
FORE THE POLICE COURT.
Points Involved I'm His Case, and
Is Prepared to Fight.

In Police Court yesterday Lycurgus Har-
ry Wright. charged with bigamy. had no
attorney and conducted his own defense,
which was along the lines indicated by
him previously. He seemed to have a
knowledge of court proceedings, and when
the state prosecutor asked for a week S
continuance of the case Wright objected
and demanded an immediate trial. saying
he had already been a prisoner for sixty
hours. Judge Daily sustained the objection
and Mrs. Pearl Wright. wife No. l." was
called.
Wright objected to her giving testimony,
saying, II will admit all she says He
evaded the question, Then you admit she
is your wifc?" and replied, Il will admit all
she says" Wright then said the woman
was his wife and could not legally testify
against him. She, however, took the stand
and said she had married Wright in Cali
fornia, Mo-, Oct q, 1895, and also told Of
minor happenings since their marriage.
Mrs. Nancy Wright, who the defendant
claims is Mrs. Nancy Closer and so adj
dressed her during the cross-examination,
was next called. She said her maiden name
was Woodruff: that she met Wright about
year ago at the home of Mrs. Lou Mey-
ers, at Noblesville, at whose home she was
married July 81 by a man giving the name
of Clarence Cunningham. an alleged justice
of the peace; that after their marriage they
went to East St. Louis, then to Plainfield
and then 10 this city. Judge DAILY asked IL
She had been divorced wnen she married
Wright: She replied that the divorce was
granted Oct. Ia and she was married 10
GloSser when she married Wright. He
told me that IL would be all right and
could get my divorce afterward, she said:
On crosS-eAamination she said she had not
represented herself as Mrs. Wright be-
cause you told me not to-; To-. .....
were married to e befoFe your dvoree
from Closer Do you know you are guilty
of bigamy?"
81 guess l am" replied the woman. but
She said she had not seen a marriage GER
tificate, but il was taken by Wright, with
out her signature, and put in a large en-
velope which was placed in his grip.
When Wright went on the stand he was
asked about the woman he is supposed to
have married at NObleSville. He denied they
had been married and claimed no proof of it
could be found. He refused to say anything
regarding the alleged wife and child at
Evansville, saying: II am tried here for
bigamy only as far as these two women are
concerned and will not incriminate my
SELF. His objection was sustained, but the
case was continued until Nov. 10 and efforts
Will be made to get the woman at Evans
Vile here as witness.
The CLOSER or Woodruff woman wife
No. 2" will file against Wright for obtain
ing money from her by false pretenses.
1t is the opinion of those who heard the
proceedings that unless something more is
found Wright has made a good case for
himself and conviction Will be improbable
Owing to Wright's refusal to say anything
regarding the woman at Evansville, who is
supposed TO be his wife, there has been some
doubt in the minds Of those connected with
the case that they were ever married. The
woman has also refused to talk regarding
the matter and the folks with whom she has
been stopping know but little of her. Dis
patches from Sullivan, Ind, state that the
woman has been a resident of that place for
two years, Wright visiting her about once
year. 1t is also claimed that when he first
moved to Sullivan Wright collected some in
surance money and absconded. About ten
days ago the woman left Sullivan with
Wright, who took her to Evansville and
left an order at the Sullivan postoff1ce for
his wifes mail to be forwarded to 80 Locust
street, Evansville. where she is now stop
ping. 1t was learned yesterday that the
woman was married to Wright about ten
years ago at Keddyville, Mo-, and her
maiden name was Mary Stevenson. They
nave one child, girl about six years of age.