New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-11
NOTHING TO HOLD MRS. ELIAS.
NEGRESS DISCHARGED AFTER AGED ACCUSER FAILS
TO SUBSTANTIATE CHARGES.
Loyer Refuses Couoborate Evidence in ComoaMagis
Criticses District attorney.

floor was choked up with a swaying pushing
mass Of people. A large force of policemen had
been detailed 10 keep order. Trouble was their
portion.
The hearing held in the Special Sessions
courtroom. Outside waited long string of
policemen. who carefully investigated every one
who tried 10 gain admittance after having
passed through the throng the ground floor.
A multitude applied; few got the coveted entry.
Nevertheless. when Magistrate Ommen entered
the courtroom at 3:15 o'clock every seat was
occupied and the aisle was filled with those
who standing. Fully half the spectators
were women-women who craned their neCkS to
the dislocation point when Mrs, Elias. heavily
veHed. entered the room. Numbers Of negroes
Of ali classes to judge by their apparel, were
present.
John r. Platt accompanies by his lawyer.
Lyman f. Warren. and his son-in-'aw, ". J.
Cassard. reached the building soon after p. m.
He went directly TO Mr. Rands Office. where he
and his lawyer consulted. He was apparently
very feeble walking with tottering step and
requiring the support OF Mr.. Cassard. The
throng which surrounded the building did not
recognize him. apparently.
Preceded by her lawyer, Mr. Brauns; hts
counsel Mr. Osborne and Detective Sergeants
Fcgary and Flannery. Mrs. Elias entered the
room about 3:1J 10 a rustling of gowns and
whispered There she isr' she wore a black
gown OF figured stuff and white shirt waist
with foacy collar over which she wore a loose
coat Her hat was the big. lowered one she
has worn since her Imprisonment She was
seated directly I'm the centre Of the courtroom.
! and watched the proceedings alerty.
Magistrate ZeIler sa. with Magistrate Om-
men Acting Distric: Attorney Rand. after
stating the Platt charges briefly said it not
the District Attorneys intention to act on either
side but merely to help the magistrate learn
the truth. He called Mr.. Platt.
Slowly feebly. Mr.. Platt entered the court
room on the arm OF his son-in-aw. With lack
| lustre eyes the white haired. white bearded old
man Pazed around the thronged room He he
slowed q long. steady stare on the negress. who,
from the moment he appeared at the door,
seemed to see no one else in the room She even
changed her seat To be able to gaze more di-
rectly at him.
Slowly the old rose when the oath was
administered. Slowly he sank back into his
chair. his fingers wandering tremhinsy over
his coat lapel, toying with his spectacle case or
grasping his knee. Several times he was asked
his name. The only response a dull stare,
with a placing OF the hand. trumpet fashion
behind his ear. At length he comprehended
and answered. in tones hardly audible five feet
| away Through the entire examination his de-
meanor did not change Ee seemed unable to
grasp the purport OF the proceedings. He was
apparently unable to understand the questions
To some he gave answers which a few minutes
later he contradicted directly.
Mr. Rand conducted the examination rs fol-
lows
MIR. PLATTS EXAMINATION.
Q-Do you know Hannah Elias? Al do.
& GG e Sgu nrss ams meet on fo @ the time
Q-Wasn't it in the SOS or s0s7 Al can't say
,o-Was it less than fifteen years agO1 A.-About
.Q-Did you meet her In a house in West Twenty
Q.--And since then you bought her house9 A
Q.-And you gave her large sums of money? A
Q-You answered an advertisement after the
arSt meetnE Win the defendant? AYes it
81, Q.And You you have kept up your acquaintance with
QiEAnd your relations with her were of the most
Q.-she was your mistress? A.-she was not NV
Q.-lAnd YOU gave her large sums OF money! A
don't know. Ask my lawy er. -
or weeks ago that Re woman D2g5 bSd ten days
huilupedS L req or tnoqsandS OF dollars from you? A
3oDon't you know anything at all about such a
Q.-Don't you know what day this Is? A.-Yes
S-And the date OF the month? Al do not
in the Supreme Court? Al signed paper a'f,ST few
Before that did you not sign longer papar
S which MI Warren gave to you? Al don't remem-
9msinSs JaRusry 9R ,oo Sss 1856 did YOU pay this
l think did -
Did you pay her 1880 last month A-Yes
Q-What for? A.-BeCause she said she v-,s
being sued and would have to go % court and ex-
Q.-where did you pay her that money? A-At
LenOX-
Q,-Did you buy her other houses? Al can't say
to that
Odd she tell Won that man named Matthews
going 70 her? Al can't rAcOlect
Q-WaSn't II a doctor named De Craft@ Al
can't recall the name
Odd she say that If she was taken 10 court she
would have TO testify to her relations with you?
A.-She did
Q.-What were your relations with her? A-Busi-
Odd YOU not pay her because OF relations Of
tender character than doctor and patient? A
I had relations with her and paid her Of
money. l gave her the money because she said she
would be put out
when YOU paid her the money? A.-She said that
she would have 10 go the stand IL the money
was not forthcoming.
Q.-Was Mr. DAILY in the back room when you
gave her the $3.50? A-She said 1 did not
him.
Q-You know that your family knew OF your
relations with this woman2 Ayes
Q.-And your brother Isaac and your son-ln-law
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