Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-30
MRS. EDDY CASE.


Mr.. Elder argued that the plaintiff
was not called upon at this stage TO
show malice. The law. he said, i'm
plies malice i'm n suit 70 libel. At this
point the court took recess.
After the recess, Mr.. Elder continued
his argument against the admission OF
Witness Johnson's evience on the
ground that IL tended to prove malice.
The only ground on which malice Is
important. he said, IL where the truth
has been set up. The truth has not
been set up in this case. he said.
Judge Bell said the testimony would
only be admitted after 1t had been
shown that Mrs. Eddy controlled the
action of the church.
Mr.. Johnson produced his books and
found a record for Nov. 6, 1895. There
was nothing in that record. he said. TO
indicate at whose suggestion Mrs.
Woodbury. was dropped from member
ship. The question of dropping her
from membership ia 1895 was not refer
red To by Mrs Eddy.
Shown a document no said he should
say IL was not Ia the handwriting Of
Mrs. Eddy. although the signature was
hers.
In the letter which was adore sscd to
Mrs, Woodbury., Mrs Eddy complained
that she had been unJustly treated by
Mrs. Woodbury.. and quoted from ~!
legged conversations with her wherein
she tMrs. Woodbury. virtually admit
ted that her conduct in the past had
not been entirely blamclcss.
Mrs. Eddy claimed In this letter that
she was not responsible for Mrs. Wood
bury's dismissal. The letter concluded:
How dare you. in the sight Of God.
and with your character behind the
curtain. and your own students ready
To lift IL on you. pursue the path ~
heresy3.
Mr.. Peabody then claimed that n
letter had been sent by Mrs. Wood
bury's students. asking Mrs. Eddy 10
lift the curtain" and offered In ext
dcnce several kilograms cent to Mrs.
Eddy In reply to her letter.
Mr. Johnson said that he did not
know how the telegram came into his
possession.
Mr.. Peabody made several Intellectual
attempts 10 draw from the witness
anything TO show on what ground. Mis-.
Woodbury. WAS communicated. The
court ruled out all this because II fail
cd 10 bring out any evidence Of com
munication with Mrs. Eddy OF action
on her part.
The witness testified that he had
never talked with Mrs. Eddy nor re-
ccived any communication from her re-
gardIng Airs. Woodbury's cS-commuIli-
cation.
Asked whether Mrs. Woodbury. vas
rclustntci at tire request ~ Mrs Eddy.
the witness said he thought that there
was request by Mrs. Eddy. in March.
1886. that Mrs. Woodbury. be given an
other chauC" 10 prove herself worthy To
lie member 81 the church.
DO you want us to understand"
asked Mr. Peabody. that Mrs. Wood
hurry after having been cx-communi-
Gated was reinstated without any COM
munication with Mrs. Eddy"
The witness replied that he did.
MIR johnson was then asked IL he
knew whether Mrs. Eddy had ever
spoken of the plaintiff as a person pos
sessing mental power which enabled
her to cause sickness or death. This
question was objected to by Mr.. Elder.
The words he said alleged to have been
used by Mrs. Eddy. drunken with the
blood Of the saints and with the blood
or the martyrs OF Jesus ana this MO-
man. drunk with the wine OF her forrii-
cation. would enter the church" could
not he assumed to have any connection
with the book 81 Revelations. referring
to the Babylonian woman.
The court said that II it could I'e
proved that the innucndoes We're that
Mrs Woodbury. had caused the death
OF some Of her followers. il might help
the Qualifications.
The witness said that he did MT
known where Judge Scptimus Hanna
was at present. nor Of anybody in u"
city who did know.
Mr.. Peabody sought in vain to bring
out something from the witness which
would help his client. but up to adj
iournment at 4.20 he had not succeeded
The court was adjourned to Monday
morning.