The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-08-08
Trial of Alleged Swindlers
in Paris Draws Visitors
of High Degree.
SCENE IS DRAMATIC
Women Are Cold and
Naughty and Men Pic
lures of Misery.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.


Paris, Aug s.-The notorious Humbert
family today faced judge and jury to
meet the charge Of having perpetrated
what ex-premier Waldek- Rosseau de-
scribed as ''the greatest swindle OF the
century"
Investigating Magistrate Leydel has de-
cided to commit Theresa Humbert, her
husband Frederick and her brother for
trial on the charges Of forgery the use of
forged documents and swndling.
He dismissed the cases against Eva
Humbert (Theresas daughter) and Marie
Duignac Cher sister,.
Public Curiosity Intense.
Public curiosity which has followed the
fortunes oil the family in the days OF its
social brilliancy, is again intensely wrought
up, the chief interest centering in La
Grande Theresa who has promised TO
produce at this trial the mysterious Amer
lean millionaires, the brothers Crawford,
on whom she based her story Of an inher-
itance of $2o,ooo,oo which she put for
ward as the security for the loans she OBJ
tanned, amounting to about $40, 900.
The Paiais du Justice was early this
morning surrounded by large crowds eager
to gain admission to the court room. A
heavy force Of municipal guards preserved
order.
Many excursionsts came from differ
ent points, the railroads treating the trial
as they would national holiday.
Excursion From Melun.
One of the excursions came from Melun,
which was the constituency that Frederick
Humbert represented in the chamber of
deputies and in which was located the
famous Humbert chateau with its parks.
lakes, yachts, and a fleet of gondolas. OF
the thousands who sought admittance
only few hundred Of the highly favored
gained entrance to the court.
Coquelin, the celebrated actor, was
among the throng of artists, actors and au-
thors seeking admission, and when he
was turned back he remarked that the
trial would be zone Of the greatest dramas
ever enacted"
The scene within the court room recalled
the days OF the Dreyfus and Zola trials.
Has Sombre Hue.
The court room is comparatively small,
the walls and ceiling, panelled with ma
hogany, giving 1t a sombrc hue. The
judges bench formed high semi circle
at the further end
The presiding judge, CASTOR Bonnel,
occupied the center of the semi-circe, his
associates being Judges Monier, Planteau,
Pignard and Du Desort. Bonnel is man
OF middle age and bears an expression of
benignity, but has reputation of infexi-
bic sternncss.
The judges wore red silk gowns and
velvet caps, which they removed as they
ascended the bench Within reserved
enclosure were the leading members of
the bench and bar in black silk gowns and
wearing stiff white clothes.
To the rear was a small public area,
each bearing the name Of its distinguished
occupant. The audience included diplo-
mats, academcans and members of the
legion of honor. Many ladies were pres
ent, their rich, gaily gowns contrasting
with the gravity of their surroundings.
Garry Luncheon Bags.
Many of the ladies carried dainty
luncheon bags, evidently expecting TO
spend the day in court To the right of
the judges was the prisoners dock,
raised four feet above the floor and bring
ing about the faces of the prisoners against
the dark background.
They were brought in from the prison
OF the conciergerie through a subtcrranean
passage leading to the courtroom. As they
entered every eye was strained towards
them. Theresa Humbert came first. then
her husband, Frederick, followed by her
brothers, Roman and Emile D'Aurignac
Nine Humbert's face was pale from her
long confinement. Her whole bearing
as she coldly surveyed the spectators in
dicated scorn and defiance. She wore a
broming steel gown and dainty, round
hat, bearing a cut steel ornament and a
cluster of white roses.
Picture Of Misery.
Frederick Humbert was the picture Of
crushed and miserable man. He bore
haggard expression showing more de-
spair than defiance. His scanty beard
has become grey.
Emile DAurignac has grown thin and
cadaverous-lookng, but his brother, Ro-
man, still looks the type of the sleek
promoter.
Mme Humbert had whispered con-
ference with her counsel, Maitre Labor,
who defended Dreyfus at the Rennes
court-martial while the indictment was
being read.
There was a large array of counsel,
representing the numerous interests on
both sides.
The early hours of the hearing were
occupied by the reading of the indictment,
the formal pleading and the selection of
the jury from the regular panel
Nine. Humbcrt frequently interrupted
the reading of the indictment with scorr-
full exclamations which could be heard
throughout the courtroom. When asked