The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-09
So Great Is the Interest in the Case
that the Railroads Run Excursions
from Various Points.
WOMAN CONDUCTS HER CASE
NINE. HUMBERT WAVES vi. LABORI
ASIDE AND ACTS AS ATTORNEY.
Asserts Her Honesty and Declares
that the Mysterious Crawfords Ex-
ist-Judges Join in Laughter.

meet the Charge of having perpetrated
what ex-Premier Waldeck-Rousseau de-
scribed as "the greatest swindle of the CEN
fury" investigating Magistrate Leydet in
May decided TO commit Therez Humbert,
her husband. Frederick, and her brothers
for trial on the charges of forgery, the
use Of forged documents and swindling.
fie dismissed the cases against Eve Hum
bert (Therez's daughter) and Marie Daur-
ignac cher sister,.
Public curiosity. which has followed the
fortunes of the family since the days of it's
social brilliance. is again intensely wrought
UP, the chief interest centering in LA
Grande Therez," who has promised to pro-
duce at this trial the mysterious American
millionaires, the brothers Crawford, on
whom she based her story of an inheritance
of s2O, 100000. which she put forward as the
security for the loans she obtained, amount
ing to about slO,OOO,OOO.
The Palais des Justice was early this
morning surrounded by large crowds eager
TO gain admittance to the courtroom. A
heavy force of municipal guards preserved
order. Many excursions came from distant
points, the railroads treating the trial as
they would h national holiday. One Of the
excursions came from Melun, which was
the constituency that Frederick Humbert
represented in the Chamber of Deputies
and where was located the famous Hum
bert chateau, with its parks, lakes, yachts
and a feet of gondolas. OF the thousands
who sought admission only a few hundred
OF the highly favored gained an entrance
to the court. Coquelin, the celebrated actor,
was among the throng of artists, actors
and authors seeking admission and when
he was turned back he remarked that the
trial would be lone of the Creates dramas
ever enacted" The scene within the court
room recalled the tense days of the Drey-
fus and lola trials.
STRIKING COURTROOM SCENE.
The courtroom is comparatively small,
the walls and ceiling paneled with mahoga-
ny. giving a somber hue. The judges bench
formed a high semi-circle at the farther
end. The presiding judge, CASTOR Bonnet,
occupied the center of the semi-circle, his
associates being Judges Monier, Planteau,
Pignard and Du Dezert. Bennett is a man
of middle age and bears an expression of
~benignity, but has a reputation for infiex-
IDLE sternness. The judges wore red silk
gowns and velvet caps, which they re-
moved as they assembled the bench. Within
a reserved Enclosure were the leading MEM
bers of the bench and bar in black silk
gowns and wearing stiff white neckcloths.
To the rear was the small public area, each
seat bearing the name OF its distinguished
occupant. The audience included diplomats,
and members of the Legion
OF Honor. Many ladies were present, their
rich, gay gowns contrasting with the grav-
ity of their surroundings. Many of the la
dies carried dainty luncheon bags, evident
ly expecting to spend the day in court.
To the right of the judges was the pris-
oners' dock, raised four feet above the level
of the room, bringing out the faces of the
prisoners against the dark background.
They were brought in from the prison of
the Conciergerie through a subterranean
passage leading to the courtroom. As they
entered every eye was strained towards
them. Therez Humbert came first, then
her husband, Frederick, followed by her
brothers. Emile and Roman de Aurignac.
Nine. Humbert's face was pale from her
long Imprisonment. Her whole bearing. as
she coldly surveyed the spectators. indi-
Gated scorn and defiance. She wore a be-
coming steel gown and a dainty round hat.
bearing a cut-steel ornament and a cluster
of white roses. Frederick lumber was the
picture of a crushed and miserable man.
He bore a haggard expression, showing
more despair than defiance. His scanty
beard has become very gray. Emile dAu-
rignac has grown thin and cadaverous
looking. but his brother Romano still looks
the type of the sleek promoter.
Nine. Humber had a whispered confer
ence with her counsel, Maitre Labori, who
defended Dreyfus at the Rennes court
martial. while the Indictment was being
read. There was a large array or counsel.
representing the numerous interests on
both sides. The early hours of the hearing
were occupied by the reading of the indict-
ment and the selection of the jury.
Nine. Humbert interrupted the reading OF
the indictment with scornful explanations.
which could be heard throughout the court
room When asked where she lived, she an
swered I'm prison"
The Interrogation Of Madame Humbert
furnished the chief incident of the day. but
failed to develop any surprises or bring out
the whereabouts of the mysterious Craw-
mainly of vague declarations of her hon.
esty. AS the judge read extracts from the
dossier reviewing her family antecedents
she waved Attorney Labori aside, and. ris-
inc With notes in her hand. insisted on di-
recting her own case.
JUDGES DIN IN LAUGHTER.
Judge Bonnett inquired about her eccen-
trio father, who assumed the title of
count" Nine. Humber emphatically up
held the family character. When the judge
stated that Roman Daurignac had followed
his fathers example in assuming the title
of Count D~aurignac,' Romano rose and
exclaimed: 1T is false. IT is false" Ques-
toned about various early inheritances.
which she claimed to have received Therez
answered with apparent frankness, saying
she had received large presents. When the
court demanded the exact details regarding
the presents she replied: "A will be ex-
planned" and she maintained that the de-
tails would be supplied at the proper time.
Later her calmness in putting OF her dis
closures excited outbursts of aughter in
which judges and spectators Joined. Cues
toned as TO the Crawford brothers, she ex-
claimed: ~ repeat that the Crawfords ex-
ist."
'Then where are they?'' inquired the
Judge.
Their presence will be made known in
due time she replied, amid another out
burst of laughter.
Judge Bennett remarked that she had
given the same answer before. and now was
the time to produce the Crawfords.
AT the afternoon session, while Judge
Bonnet was critically reviewing the story
of the Crawford inheritance. Nine. Hum
bert complained of being suddenly taken
with a violent illness. The Judge. however,
insisted on proceeding with the case, init
mating his belief that her sickness was
feigned. He then went into the details OF
the alleged Crawford operations and the
fleeing residence at New York, where
upon Nine. Humbert revived sufficiently To
show my good faith. but not to-day. Not
while i am sick.
SAID SHE WAS HONEST.
Judge Bonnet asked If any one ever saw
the bonds she claimed TO have deposited
within the famous safe. and Mime. Therese
replied: Eyes. many persons saw and actu.
ally counted them. 1 tell you the fortune
exists. / am an honest woman. / declare It..
She also asserted that a notary named
Dumort. at Rouen, had seen one of the
Crawford brothers.
burst of skeptical laughter on the part OF
the spectators Maitre Laboris said: This
Is a good sign, for when the court laughs
the case is not a serious one"