The Washington times., 1905-01-17
\ .uIlAH ELIAS
FACES ACCUSER
Octogenarian Platt Tells
Story in Court.
SUIT TO RECOVER $685., 600
Justice Bischoff Refuses to Dismiss or
Accord Jury Trial-WoInan Repre-
sented by Ex-Governog Black.

NEW YORK. Jan. 1.-The stery of
wiles of a siren-like negreSS> ever a
senile old man so that she was able
to obtain from him almost million
dollars was told in Justice Bisciloffs
court today when the suit OF John Il.
Platt. a millionaire octegeuarlan. 10 re
cover $6S5, 900 from Hannah Elias,
negress, which Plstt alleges the woman
obtained from him On threats of eS-
posure, was begun.
Hannah Elias was represented in court
by former Governor Black and Abe
Gruber. Platts interests were repre-
sented by Lyman E. Warren
John r. Platt was IN court and sat
beside his counsel, with bowed head and
listened intentIy to the proceedings
Harnan Elias was not in court when
the case opened. She entered later
Counsel Presents Case.
Mr.. Warren, in opening the case. told
of the meeting of Platt with the Elias
woman over twenty years ago. while
showing some volunteer firenlen from
California TIE sights of the Tenderloin
a recital CT the demands made by the
Elias woman and lawyers, physicians
and others who knew the circumstances
OF the plaintiff, followed
Former Governor Black moved to dis
miss the complaint on the ground that
it failed to sufficiently state the cause
of action. Governor Black also asked
for jury trial Bot motions were de-
MED
James P. Matthews, an advance agent,
was the first witness He denied he
ever loaned any money to Hannah Elias
or even knew the woman. The purpose
of his examination was not apparent
He WAS excused.
Platt Tells His Story.
Il cali John R. PIatt.'' cried Mr.. War
ren-
The old man feebly took the stand and
told the story of his relations with the
Elias woman.
He said he had met her While showing
some volunteer fremen the town He
saw her two or three times at th'
same place after that.
..Whensyou first net her at Pop Mill
er's did Eannah Elias and the other IN
mates dance can-can?'
We're they dressed?"
4 think they were, replied Platt.
Met Her Again.
The old gentleman said he once saw
an advertisements in the newspapers fo
massage treatment, on Iniru avenue
AS ne was suffering from rheumatism
he called and again >he met the Elias
woman
s-When you visited her on Third Ave
nue. did you. on any occasion. give hel
s2..i092''
Ne
Did she say anything about wantin.
10 open boarding house%
Yes: there was something said abou
Did ycu give her any money!"
II think I did"
Piatt said that Hannah Elias moved
from Third Avenue to house on Wes
Fifty-third Street He called on he
once = week. he said, al her invitation
Elias Woman Enters.
AT this point Hannah Elias came int,
court. She wore a black dress with
dark cloth jacket. which covered a whit
waist a large black picture hat, from
which fell a veil, was worn
Platt SAID he always paid Mrs. Ella:
in cash. The old man was handed
ledger, and asked to point out the date,
and suTns OF money he had paid out las
year.
The book showed that last May tn,
plaintiT had paid over $4,000 to tbs
Elias woman
All through the book were records O
many larSe SUMS, mounting into tn,
thousands, paid ever 20 Hannah Elias