Evening journal., 1903-11-21
MINISTER TRIED
FOR NON-SUPPORT
Pastor Taylor Will Have to
Pay First Wife SIS a
Month
REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
Claimed They Might lnoriminate Him.
clergyman's Brother, Who Visited
Him at His Home in Iowa, Gives
Sensational Testimony.

In the Court OF General Sessions this
morning the Rev. Irwin b. Taylor was
placed on trial, charged with deserting
and failing to support his first wife,
formerly Miss Florence Maser Of this
city. The minister who is charged
with such a serious offense, was in
court and was defended by John +.
Lynn.
Deputy Attorney General Richards
conducted the prosecution. Taylor's
father, who lives here and his brother
were also in the court room and the
latter was an important witness for
the State
There was also a charge of bigamy
against the defendant but on account
Of the fact that the State could not
prove that IT was his intention to re-
turn and reside in this State after his
/ second alleged marriage in Mt. Pleas
ant. Iowa, which the statue provides
must be proven in such cases, the case
had to be dismissed.
Wife on the Stand.
Mrs. Taylor, the first wife Of the de-
fendant, was the first witness called.
She testified that she was married to
the Rev. Irwin B. Taylor by the Rev.
George L. Wolfe Of this city on May
2s, 1897 and that he has not lived with
her since the latter part of May, three
years ago.
Mrs. Taylor said he left her three
years ago saying he was going away TO
lecture for a society and would send
her money for her support. She stated
that she was married six years last
May and that they have two children
one six and one four years old.
Mrs. Taylor said she has been work.
ing In a silk mill and that her parents
had been helping her TO support her
children. Since her husband went
away she has received but one dollar
from him for the support of herself
and children. q
The Rev. George L. Wolfe was called
and testified that he knew both Mr
and Mrs. Taylor. He remembered
marrying them on May 2s. 1897.
Defendants Brother Testifies.
} William Taylor. a brother OF the de
fendant, was called and testified to
visit which he made 10 his brother a
Avery Iowa, about a. aiyoar..aso.
The witness said that his brother wa
a minister in that town and that whe
Z ne called at his house a woman me
him at the door and introduced her
self as the wife Of the Rev. Irwin +
Taylor. The witness said his brothe
told him he was married TO. the wo
man and asked HIM not TO say any
thing about IL when he came home
He also said there was a child in tn
i house which the woman said was her
and that Mr.. Taylor also treated it al
his child.
Documents from Keoluk county
% Iowa. in regard TO the marriage of tn
defendant to Miss Florence b. Grave
of that state were offered in evi
o dence.
The minister testifying in his owl
: behalf said that when he went ava,
he arranged for his wife TO be careC
for at his fathers home. To all ques.
tions regarding his relations to th'
woman In Iowa he refused TO answer
on the ground that he may probably
incriminate himself. He denied tha
he told the Rev. Mr.. Wolfe that he haC
wanted to get out of this fix and tha
he had $4,000 to get him out. Wit
ness said his salary amounted to abou
s45O a year.
The father corroborated the testi
mony in regard TO the arrangement
made for the minister's wife to remain
at his home in his sons absence.
The Rev. Mr.. Wolfe was called n
rebuttal and testified that Mr.. Taylo
did tell him that he had $4,000 to ge
, him out of the trouble.
The court decided Taylor would hav,
to pay S25 a month for the support o
his first wife and children and pu
him under $4,000 bond to pay
e The jury in the case OF Edward Call
d away, charged with embezzlement, re
e turned a verdict of not guilty.