Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-14
TAKING OF EVIDENCE AGAINST
THE MORMON BEGAN YES
TERDAY.
Roberts Persists In Interp0sing
Technical Objections Both to the
Evidence and the Method Of Pro-
cedure - Witnesses From Utah
Say His Polygamous Status Was
a Matter of Common Report and
observation-disclosures Man Who
interviewed Roberts Tells of His
References to His Wives.

Case VI MT. RODertS, OF ULan, opened
its doors at TO-: 80 to-day to begin the
examination of witnesses. A large
number of spectators were on hand, in
GLIDING several ladies. Mr.. Roberts oc-
cIpied a seat at the foot of the commit
tee table, while hanking him was the
delegation of gentiles-Rev. DR.. Tiff,
Mr.. Schroeder, and others-here TO d.
rect the case against the Utah member
elect.
When Chairman Tayler (Ohiol called
the committee to order and asked what
witnesses would be hard, Nj. 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 pub
lished.
"Mr. Tayler responded that all of Mr..
Roberts's rights had been fully looked
after and protected, and there was no
proper question which had not been
raised.
Mr.. Tayler then asked Mr.. Schroeder
what witnesses he would call.
Does this mar appear as Attorney"
asked Mr.. Roberts.
"He will examine witnesses" ex-
planned Mr.. Tayler.
Then 1 wish to introduce the court
record relating to him." said Mr..
Roberts.
Mr.. Tayler said this had already been
passed on Saturday and Schroeder had
been recognized.
Charles Austin Owen was then call
ed. He gave his residence as Salt Lake
City. In response to questions by Mr..
Schroeder, he said he knew the gen.
eral reputation 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 nus
band and wife. While the questions
were being put as to Mrs. Maggie Rob-
erts, Mr.. Roberts interrupted with the
objection.
What this lady may have done is
immaterial, in the absence of any evil
dence showing that it was at the direc-
ton of B. H. Roberts"
Mr.. Schroeder said later testimony
would bring out the m~ateriality of the
question, and Mr.. Tayler ruled that the
competency of the question could be
judged by the subsequent testimony.
Mr.. Roberts then cross-examined the
witness. Mr.. Roberts's questions
brought out that the witness had no
personal knowledge as to Mrs. Maggie
Roberts or Mr.. Roberts based on talks
with him, but his information was gen.
eral and common repute.
Il want to know" asked Mr.. Rob-
erts, "if the general reputation you
have been testifying to. obtains since
March 4, 1899"
at does.''
"And what is that reputation"
THAT Maggie c.. Shipp Roberts is
the plural or ~polygamous wife of Brig
ham H. Roberts"
"On what act is this general reputa-
ton based?" inquired Roberts.
mo specific acts, but
Generally Accepted Reputation
responded Mr.. Owen.
There was also considerable testi-
mony on court prosecutions throughout
the State, on which the witness had in
formation. AS his evidence closed, Mr..
Roberts asked to have all this testi-
many struck from the record, as the
witness was unable to testify to his
W knowledge.
The chairman permitted the testi-
mony to stand.
Mr.. McEwen, of the Philadelphia
North American, was examined as to
a recent interview with Roberts signed
by him (McEwen). In this Roberts
spoke Of his wives" referring t them
as good and true women" toward
whom obligations had been incurred
prior to the enactment of the polygamy
law.
WAS not this conversation in refer
ence to general conditions?" asked Mr..
Roberts.
"Oh, no, Mr.. Roberts" answered the
witness. directly addressing his inter-
rogator, "you spoke of general condi-
tons and used your own case to Illus
trate."
Rev. DR.. diff, a Methodist mission
airy of Utah, testified that the general
reputation as to the status of Celia
Dibble Roberts was that she was the
plural wife Of Brigham H. Roberts.
On cross-examination Mr.. Roberts
sought to show that DIR. Ilif was hos
tile to the Mormons, the witness stat
ing that his hostility was to the
Polygamous Feature of Mormonfsm.
Rev. G. W. Martin, a Presbyterian
minister of Manti, Utah. testified as to
the ~polygamous state of Celia Dibble
Roberts and Margaret G.. Ship Rob-
erts toward Brigham H. Roberts. He
saw statements to this effect In the Salt
Lake City newspapers and heard of no
6enials. The polygamous status of Mr..
Roberts was a matter OF common re-
pute. 1t was also reputed that twins
had been born to Celia Dfbble Rob-
erts.
Mr.. Schroeder stated that his was al