The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-14
ROBERTS N COURT
Status-in-Fact of His Super
numerary Wives
is SUBJECT OF INQUIRY
He Kicks Constantly and is
Constantly Turned Down.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-The committee
Of the house of representatives which is
investigating the case of Mr. Roberts Of
Utah, began the examination OF Wit
nesses at 1880 today. A large number Of
spectators were present, including sew
eral ladies. Mr.. Roberts occupied seat
at the foot of the committee table, while
thanking him was the delegation Of Gen
tiles, Rev. DR.. Tiff, Mr.. Schroeder and
others-here to direct the case against
the Utah nember-elect-
When Chairman Taylor (Ohio) called
the committee to order and asked what
witnesses would be heard Mr.. Roberts
arose and asked to be informed as to his
status before the committee. He made a
short statement in line with his brief.
which has already been published Mr.
Taylor responded that all Of Mr.. Roberts
rights had been fully looked after and
protected, and there wa no proper ques-
ton which had not been raised. Mr..
Taylor then asked Mr.. Schroeder what
witnesses he would call.
Does this man appear as Attorney
asked Roberts.
He will examine witnesses" explained
Mr.. Taylor.
''Then I wish TO introduce the court
record relating to him." said Roberts.
Mr. Taylor said this had already been
passed on Saturday and Schroeder had
been recognized.
Charles Austin Even was then called.
He gave his residence as Salt Lake City.
In response to questions by Mr.. Schroe-
der, he said he knew the general reputa-
ton in Salt Lake City OF the status OF
DR.. Maggie c. Shipp- Roberts,
The witness said that the general rep
utation of the status of Roberts and DR..
Maggie C. Shipp-Roberts was that they
maintained the relation of husband and
wife. While the questions were being put
as to Mrs Maggie Roberts. Roberts in
terrupted with the objection: What this
lady may have done is immaterial in the
absence of any showing that it was at
the direction of B. II. Roberts,
Mr.. Schroeder said that later testimony
questions, and Mr. Taylor ruled that the
competency of the questions could be
judged by the subsequent testimony.
The witness was then cross examined
by Mr.. Roberts, whose questions brought
out that the witness had no personal
knowledge as to Mrs. Maggie Roberts or
Mr.. Roberts based on talks with them.
INT Inf md ne
common repute.
II want to know" asked Roberts, eff
the general reputation you have been tes-
tifying to, obtains since March 4, 1892"
1T does"
"And what is that reputation
THAT Maggie C. Shipp-Roberts is the
plural or polygamous wife of Brigham
H. Roberts,
"On what act is this general informa-
ton based?' inquired Roberts.
mo specific acts, but generally accept
ed reputation, responded Mr.. owen
There was also considerable testimony
on court prosecutions throughout the
state, on which the witness had informa-
ton As his evidence closed, Mr.. Roberts
asked to have all this testimony struck
from the record, as the witness was IN
able to testify OF his own knowledge.
The csairman permitted the testimony to
stand
Mr.. McEwen Of the Philadelphia North
American was examined as to a recent
interview with Roberts, signed by him
CdcEwen). In this Roberts spoke OF his
wives" referring to them as good and
true women" toward whom obligations
had been incurred prior to the enact
ment Of the polygamy law.
was not this conversation in refer
ence to general conditions?" asked Nh
Roberts
"Oh. no. Mr.. Roberts," answered the
witness, directly addressing his inter
rogator. You spoke Of general con5i-
tons and used your own case to illus
trate"
Captain Elias II. Parsons. Of the quar-
termaster department, L. S. Y. testi-
fed to an incident occurring in 1906. while
he was IN Salt Lake City. About a. m
some one asked him to call up on his
telephone Or. Maggie Ship Roberts. on
going to the telephone and calling up
the house. a mans voice answered
Who Is this?" Captain Parsons asked
over the telephone "B II Roberts"
was the reply, Captain Parsons testified.
On determination Roberts asked.