The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-09-01
MRS. TACCART DREW A CROWD
All Eager to Hear The Woman in Her Own Defense
She Denied the Serious Allegations.
Other Witnesses Heard.


ing for the beginning OF the fifth week
OF the Taggart divorce case, the largest
audience that has been in attendance
at any time at tho opening was present.
The fact that Mrs. Taggart was to take
the stand was the magnet that drew
the large audience. Among the first
to take seats within the enclosure
about the bar was Mrs. Taggart, ac-
companied by her brother-in-law, Jas.
Shields, and wife, and Surgeon Vose
and wife. Mrs. Taggart seemed lit
tie nervous and paler than usual.
half smile played across her face and
her eyes quickly glanced over the court
room as she took a seat where she has
sat so many days. Mrs. Taggart wore
a neat fitting white shirt waist, dark
skirt and large black hat. Her hands
toyed nervously with delicate fan as
her bright eyes took in the surround
ings and every point of interest in the
room.
Contrary to expectation, Mrs. Tag
CART was not the first witness called.
Immediately upon the opening of court
the attorneys became involved in a
controversy about letter referred to
in some papers received from the war
department by Capt Taggarts attor-
neys. Mr.. Wertz was put on the stand
and asked some questions by Judge
Smyser about the letter. After con-
siderable objection the letter was read.
1t was from Adjutant General Corbin
and referred to the charges of General
Miner. 1t was to the effect that the
report had been shown to the secretary
of the war department, and he regret
ted this unfavorable report from an
otherwise efficient officer. That Capt.
Taggart should be admonished about
his conduct, that strict watch should
be made that he keep the pledge he
made and that for some time month
ly report of his conduct should be
made to the war department.
The inference by Mrs Taggarts at
torneys was tnat the letter had been
removed from a number of papers re-
ceived from Washington. This was
resented by Capt. Taggarts attorneys
and when Mr. Wertz left the stand he
made some remark to Judge Smyser
which he resented by charging him
with taking a book from a freight de-
pot at Orrville. At this point Wertz
called him a liar. and a great deal of
confusion prevailed The feeling was
intense and bitter for a minute. Judge
Eason promptly took charge of the
disturbance. He said he would not be-
lieve the charge of either, that both |
We're honorable lawyers, and that he
would not allow any further scenes of
the kind. and that if it was done again
somebody would pay for it.
After the sky had cleared from the
storm among the attorneys, Judge |
Smyser called Capt Taggart to the
stand An incident was recalled of
ball game at which Lieut.. Fortesque |
was a figure The lieutenant was on
the spot and WAS to take Miss Yost to
the game An effort was made to
SHOW that Capt. Taggart created a
scene and q mint julip figured in the
events of the porch.
Before leaving the stand Capt. Tag
CART was asked as to the papers re-
ceiyed from the war department. He
stated that the papers We're just as
they were when they came; that moth
ing had been removed from them wnat-
ever.
After the forenoon recess William
Taggart was recalled to the stand and |
asked by Capt. Taggart about his re-
ceiving drafts from Grace Taggart. |
He was asked about having receipts |
for the money expended. He had re-
ceipts, he said.
What was the aggregate?" About
$94."
Cross-eXamined by Sterling:
when did you get this draft?"
"On the 3lst of May, 1900"
William, you have other letters,
have you not?"
81 haven't any"
"Where are the other letters?"
"Mr. Taylor has them"
'In what year were they received?"
zone in 1904"
Where was that one written from?"
mill Valley, Cal"
"What was the subject of that one?"
''Shc asked me about the children"
How many letters did you write to
her?"
81 didn't know where she was in
1904"
did you talk to Capt Taggart |
about the letters you wrote to her?"
mo, sir"
Conversation between Billy and
Ralph Mish was again the subject of
interrogatories by Sterling. Billy de-
MED any conversation with Ralph |
about Grace. Capt. Taylor then |
showed the meat book" of Stam-
baugh, the Orrville butcher, and asked
Billy II he had paid the bill A num-
Der of other items were called for that
Billy was supposed to have paid, aggre-
eating over s04. For the greater part
receipts were shown, Billy Taggart