The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-01
TAR AND
FEATHERS
TRIAL
Closing Arguments Of Counsel
Bogun--v Verdict May Be
Reached Tonight.

Plymouth. Mass. Dec. 1.-what was
In the trial OF the Marion "tarring and
feathering case" attracted to the court
house In this city the largest crowd which
the court chamber ever held. Every
available inch Of space was made use OF
TO accommodate the public.
1t had been expected that todays ses-
sion OF the court would be opened at 10:S0
fore the proceedings were actually start
ed. The delay was due to conference
between counsel and court with reference
TO the arguments to be made for and
against the seven defendants who are ac-
cused OF assaulting James Mcdonald.
At the conclusion of the conference
Hon. John w. Cummings Immediately
defendants. He spoke about one hour and
a quarter. After preliminary sentences
as to the duty OF the jury. Mr.. Cummings
went on to point out that the defence had
very clearly proved TO the jury that their
position was secure and true because the
plan OF the defence had been laid open
a.
ment every opportunity OF disproving the
allegations set forth. This the govern
ment has not done.
Mr.. Cummings said that he wished TO
emphasize the fact that the defence had
never contended that there was not a
tumultuous assembly In Marion on the
night OF Aug. 8. and had never contended
that the purpose OF that assemblage was
not to drive James Mcdonald out OF
town. The defence admitted all that. but
what II did object to and what II did
take issue upon was the contention OF the
prosecution that the seven defendants
were concerned in the affair.
The defence wished 10 urge very strong
: as It's earnest beffef tfrat james Mc>
Donald was never tarred and feathered.
This claim by Mcdonald that he had been
thus assaulted was merely an after
thought OF the man, conceived for the
purpose OF gaining sympathy and 10
screen himself and his own movements.
After reviewing various details OF the
incident OF the alleged tarring and feath-
ering, Mr.. Cummings proceeded TO at
tack the statements made In court by
Charles Potter, Mrs. Clara Potter. wife
OF the former. James Mcdonald and
John w. Simmons
He said that Charles Potter OF all the
men in Marion, was the one man TO do
what IL Is charged the seven defendants
did. And yet Potter, the husband OF the
woman, on account OF whose alleged con-
duct, Mcdonald Is said to have been as
saulted. had denied on the witness stand
that he had any interest I'm the case at
all. or any motive for removing McDon-
aid from his home.
BY Potter's own testimony. so Mr..
Cummings argued, 1t was clearly shown
that II was Potter himself who had led
the mob TO the house on the night in
question. You couldn't convict a dog"
declared the lawyer with scorn," on the
testimony Of this coward who admitted
on the witness stand that he stood In his
own kitchen and saw masked men lead
Ing his naked wife through the room
without attempting 10 shield her"
The lawyer disposed OF Mrs. Potter's
testimony by saying that she had told
him in New Bedford I'm the presence OF
Sheriff Hurley, whom the lawyer styled
the Constructing engineer" OF the case.
that the men did not strip her clothing
from her, nor handle her indecently.