The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-09-08
MEANT TO SHOOT HIM.
Captain Taggart Testifies as to His
Feelings Toward F'ortesque.

Wooster, o., Sept. S-The first witness
called in the Taggert case was F. F.
Dow, who gave his residence as Cleve-
land, and his occupation - a detective
in the employ of the Coacn Agency in
Cleveland. He was employed by Capt.
Taggart to gain the confidence of Billy
Taggart and discover the relations ex-
1sting between him and the captains
wife. Dow testified that on one occa-
sion Billy produced pack of letters and
said: These are from my sweetheart.
If any one would get hold of them they
would be her death warrant. On anoth-
er occasion Billy told me that his sweet
heart was a grass widow and the wife
of a wealthy man, and that she kept
him well supplied with the dough.
Later on he said to me: When her
troubles are over we are going on the
road with a show"
What else did he tell your" asked
Attorney Stirling.
He told me that the reports going
the rounds about her were true. but
when they got on the stand they were
going to brand these reports as lies, and
they would swear to things that would
make the devil blush.
Later on he told me his sweetheart
was the wife of CAPTAIN Taggart"
On cross-exa mination Dow said that
his wife was a detective and was now
in business in Michigan, and that they
had baby that is now in Orrville.
Pulled Out a Book.
that his sweeth cart was a grass w1doW
and had wealthy husband?"
At this question Dow pulled mem
orandum out of his pocket to refresh
his memory.
Can l see that memorandum z
| asked Smyser.
mo, you can't replied Dow.
"Why not?" asked Smyser.
Because it is my personal property
| and you can't have it," replied Dow.
witness
not use the book without permitting
| the defense to examine it, and Dow put
it back in his pocket.
Don't you know that the picture of
r. J. Coach. your employer, is hanging
| in the Rogues' gallery in Cleveland,
| together with a record of his arrest
and conviction in Cook county, Ill. ?"
mo, sir. I never knew it,
ssWin YOU take the next train to
Cleveland and look the matter I'D and
return and report?"
| mo, SIR
'WilI you write me about it?"
mo, 1 wouldn't write you anything
| After the noon recess Thomas Ma
| RADIO, the Filipino valet, was again
called to the stand to testify in regard
to the kimona worn by Mrs. Taggart
husbands den. Mrs. Taggart was
called upon to don the kimona, which
she did.
WAS this the garment worn by Mrs.
Vaggart that morning Z!
mo; the one she wore was an old
one. 1t was red and a little lighter in
weight and was fastened by cord in
stead of a SASH"
Captain Taggart again took the
stand and in response to a question
said that when Fortesque and Mrs
Taggart emerged from the cellar that
night at Fort Leavenworth they did
not stop in the kitchen, as stated by
Mrs. Taggart. for the purpose OF
crushing ice, but went right through
the kitchen into the sitting room.
Major, on the night of June 80 did
Mrs. Taggart yell when you pushed hei
out on the porch?''
"She wasn't out on the porch
To Shoot Fortesque.
What did you say about a revolver
to Mrs. Taggart that night?''
Il told her it was my intention tc
shoot Fortesque if he came home with
her that night
what truth is there in Mrs Tag.
CARTS candle story about your gettins
out of bed night after night to get :
drink?"
There is no truth in it whatever
and might add that I never in my lif,
got out of bed to get drink of liquor
Taggart then told of being at Kansa.
City and St. Louis during good par
of the time that his wife said he wal
getting up at night to get a drink.
From the top OF the stairway can
person leaning over the banister SCI
! down into the vestibule?'
z5r