Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
TAGGART DIVORCE SUIT
ALLEGED LETTER FROM WIFE
CAUSED A SENSATION.

Reserying the right to call witnesses and
to introduce tie records of Christs Hospi-
tai, Cincinnati, should they be obtainabie,
the side OF Major Taggart in the divorce
case rested at Wooster, Ohio, yesterday af-
ternoon at 4 o'clock.
Mr.. Smyser. as Mrs. Taggart's attorney.
then made motion that the charges
against Rither, Fortescue. Miner and Spen-
Ger be dismissed. He admitted that the
evidence against them was sufficient to put
them on their defense. but asked that the
other charges be done away with. Judge
Eason took the motion under consideration
and will decide this morning.
During the entire session of court yes
terday Major Taggart was on the stand.
Just before noon a letter was received which
was presumed to have been written by Mrs.
Taggart in answer to several notes from
the major asking her forgiveness The let
ter caused a sensation anu tor the moment
made Major Taggart somewhat confused.
The principal part of the letter was as fol-
.owS:
1T is unnecessary to recount the story of
my wrongs. You have admitted 1t all too
many TINES. The phys cal violence you have
inflicted. tie gross personal insults and all
the accusations you have heaped upon me
make list of horrors beyond my belief;
ard finally, to save yourself you prefer
baseless charges against Col. Miner, and
b,ackened me inGelibly in al quarters after
| had procured your release from the hos
pital and after you had written repeatedly
TO TIE. generating me from all blame.
''YCu Rave made the name of your wife
byword in that army to which you ask
her to return. l have been Stunned and
scoTned ny the army people ard every in
suit they have put upon me Is direct y trace
able TO the reports circulated by you. Now
l am asked to forget all this and return to
commence the same round of misery. brok-
en- vows and unredeemed pledges. The
n my md h.r ffrey tn SnIl1
are sufficient warning for me. Nothing
could induce me to return.
Letters Read in Court.
Much is hoped by Major Taggarts
friends from the effect of the letters writ
ten by the plaintiff to his wife, VIII CHI were
read in court yesterday, and in which the
plaintiff pleaded with Mrs. Taggart to see
Colonel Miner and correct what he declared
was in unjust accusation thus saving him
from court-martial and disgrace. There
We're others. all breathing the deepest de-
votion. The defense sought to have them
excluded. but inadvertently opened thu way
for their Introduction. One dated San
Francisco. March l. and written to Mr.. and
Mrs. Morton, read:
II know you win rejoice with me When
tell you that Mrs Taggart and have fixed
up all our troubles before my departure,
and we are all happy again. l know you
will rejoice in my good fortune in this re-
spect. as Mrs Morton and Mrs. Taggart
can understand. Should any of my friends
be interested in my good fortune to that ex-
tent, you may please say that I am happy
again on that account"
Another runs as follows:
Dearest Grace-Can 1t be that you want
me court martialed and dismissed from the
army? If not, Colonel M ;rer ami tell
him you were mistaken when you said l
put him out of doors. / know I never did
it, Grace. and should you insist that I did.
Colonel Miner will have to prefer charges
which would have only one result.
Can not settle our quarrel in some
other way? Do you want to drive HE from
the army in disgrace? 1t Is awful 20 be
separated from my family. II that must be.
You must do this ton ght and tell him to
let poor Taggart out. I swear before God
the only feeling I have ever h I'D for you has
been 50 strong that to think If any one
coming between US has made me crazy.
DO you remember the night in my room
in the attic? AS lay In bed 1 though. of
you being with some one else. and l took
whisky to drown my sorrow.and pat me to
sleep; then my jealousy and whisky did
the rest. Last night / thought Of you with
another man, and the suffering | again en-
dured made me again drink to Forget it.
Could l let the liquor alone L believe I
would be | used to be.
'As l look back L think every unhind
WORD / have spoken to you was after I had
taken drink. The things I have said to
you on both occasions, if I had been sober
and sane. I would as soon say to my own
mother, for you are as pure as purity it
self and | have never had cause for sCs-
plcion either by word or act ~ look
Now Grace. won't you, Grace. write me
a line and say you have done all you can.
will do at once, and let me out of
this awful place: 1t is ten times worse
than dungeon, and the awful thought
that you intend to put in his hands the
weapon to disgrace me and drive me from
the world Do you want me to feel this
way tGniglt?'
1t was signed Your worshiping hus-
band"
Again Urged Intercession.
In a letter dated July the major writes:
O, Grace: The moments seem like hours
IN this awful place. and no word from you.
Please send for Col. Miner and plead as
you have never pleaded before to save
yourself and family from this awful dis
grace. You may have told Col. Miner that
| put you out of the house without clothes !;
do not let that he said of US You know
it was not outside. and before it Is too late
correct It.
Ny charges are icing made out now. nd
if that Is in them look ahead to an awful
future. If this be true. Let me go in peace,
if I must go. Is ali l do from the only
one I have ever loved. from one who has
been my only happiness, the only one 1t
my ambition to please and strive for
in the long five years since l left for San
ttaEo. the one | was so proud of that to
think of the possibility of being left alone
made me insane.
Now, one word more: | don't think you
know how I suffered for weeks before
lost my senses. If you will look back and
remember the times I told you how 1t
grieved me TO see you with men, that you
try to put yourself in my place
You may at least have pity on me.
Here is a missive which bears the date of
November %:
Dearest Grace-I shall not pass over
THANKSGIVING without saying that I am
thankful to you for happy life as any
man could hope to live. I never knew
what it was to be unhappy. In all these
years l could see in everyday affections
love which made my home heaven on
earth. II all the saints had come below to
tell me that something would come between
should not have believed 1t possible.
l could zee it possible IN other homes
who now live on wrangling together. but
not in mine. l did not wait for Thankseiv-
ing to think how happy I was In my home.
1t the thought which took possession
of my life. The dearest and only spot on
earth to me was my home. and your love
for me was all I had or cared for In this
world. And there I understood you to tell
me that 1t had gone. Did We understand
each other or was II all mistake? TO
send message would seem II the devil
should come 10 rejoice at our wretched-