The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-14
MISS ABROMET in COURT
AFTER THE HEARING SHE is HEARD
BY THE FRANZ JURY.
Her Bond Reduced to 81 1000 by Acting
Judge ConnOway-Same Old
Evidence.

Miss Hortense Victoria Abromet, who has
been in jail a week on charges of arson
and malicious trespass, alleged TO have been
committed in the home of II. b. Marsh, 1871
North Illinois street on May A.. failed in her
attempt TO be liberated on preliminary ex-
animation yesterday afternoon. She made
some progress. however, as Acting Judge
Connoway reduced her bond from $500
tc 5000 when certifying the case TO the
grand jury for further action.
The examination was a failure either as
a spectacle or a sensation. The court room
was filled with men and women and there
are doubtless many acking necks to-day, es-
pecially among ths women, as the oppor-
tunity TO see the beautiful prisoner was
not good for those back Of the first rows.
Miss Abromet maintained a demeanor that
was within the claims she makes to abso-
lutte innocence of the felonies charged
against her. Several times she wept, but
quickly recovered her composure. She was
at all times simple and passive. Wherein
she was poor entertainment for the curious
who braved cerebral dislocation and seemed
happy in cramped corners.
The testimony adduced was disappoint-
ingly plain. Detectives Wallace and Holtz
told the MISUNDERSTOOD story of finding
at Miss Abromet's house the muddy shoes
and the muddy chair, both Of which fitted
impressions under Marsh's window,
through which, it is the theory Miss Abro-
met gained admission TO her neighbours
house and set it ahre. Miss Abromet, they
testified, told them she got her shoes mud
dy going by the alley way" TO a saloon for
a bucket of beer about $50 o'clock the night
the fire is alleged 10 have been started.
Miss Abromet.s attorney cross-examined
them with much volume of sound and many
sharp words. He forced" them TO admit
that all women wore shoes and that there
were thousands of chairs alike. The shoes
and the chair were offered in evidence.
MARSH'S TESTIMONY.
Harry B. Marsh, whose home was
wrecked through the vengeance of Miss
Abromet, according to police theories, tes-
tilted that he returned the evening of May
5 and found his dining room and his wife's
room ruined by a fire that seemed well
started. but which had been mysteriously
e~Xtinguished. He admitted finding other
footprints about the house than those made
by a French heel boot; they might have
been made by a boy. He said. in giving
motive, that she had called him by the
telephone and complained of things Mrs.
Marsh had been quoted as saying about
her. She would not repeat them, but
agreed to meet Marsh in front of the Deni-
son house the following afternoon.
And you met herr said Miss Abromet's
attorney. He peered into Marsh'S face.
Marsh is a firm little man, with a red beard
and a cautious manner of talking. He
looked into the attorneys eyes and said
Il did mott"
The courtroom was silent. Every one
stared at Marsh.
And why not?" %thundered the attorney.
Mr.. Marsh smiled a sarcastic, triumphant,
little smile and said, very softly: Because
she did not come"
Bailiff Dawson and Judge Connoway
suppressed themselves and then threatened
punishment on the rest of the audience for
laughing out loud.
Mr.. Marsh said he had no quarrel with
Miss Abromet, had no Ill will toward her,
knew of no motive for such acts as are
charged against her. unless it was due 10
malignancy resulting from what was re-
ported TO her as coming from Mrs. Marsh.
CapI. elm Hoyie. of the fire department,
testified that he visited Miss Abromet 10
inquire if she knew anything about the
fire. He said she expressed surprise, but
finally concluded the whole affair was a
Hoyle admitted that it seemed to be a joke,
as we'll as a mystery.
PRISONERS MOTHER.
Mrs. Elizabeth Abromet. mother of the
prisoner, testified that the shoes found in
her daughters room were the ones she
usually wore while tending to an asparagus
bed in the back yard. They were also the
ones she wore to the saloon. In fact, Mrs,
Abromet said. they were the only shoes
she had, except a pair of slippers. Mrs
Abromet was sure when she and her
daughter retired about IL o'clock the night
the fire is alleged to have been started that
the daughter did not rise until morning,
Mrs. Abromet was c-ross-examined closely
as to whether the mud on the shoes was
that from the asparagus bed or the alley
The witness expressed her belief that there
was some OF each, with, perhaps, additional
from Capitol avenue.
Miss Abromet did not take the stand her
self. Her attorney laid this as the last
straw and broke the back of the sensation
hunting crowd. He argued for her dis
charge because of the insufficiency of the
testimony and the improbability that q
conviction could be made in a higher court
Prosecutor Collins said the chain of cir
cumstances was so complete that il left nc
room for doubt. Judge Connaway said he
thought it probable that the grand jury
would indite on the testimony given. He
said he would reduce the bond to $1,000 each
in the felony cases. The misdemeanor was
certified to the grand jury along with the
two other cases without bond.
Miss AbTomet was taken back to jail
She is hopeful of giving the bond but was
not able to last night.