The Washington times., 1905-03-08
CORDOVA PLEADS
NOT GUILTY To
THE IND|CT MENT
Court House Crowded
With a Curious
Throng.
AUNT SENDS A BOUQUET
Ex-Pastor Urges His Wife
to Get a Di-
VOrCe.
AUNT SENDS A BOUQUET

NEW BRUNSWICK, n. J., March s.
The court house was crowded at 10
O'clock this morning with people from
this city and South River, all eager to
see the Rev. J. Z. Cordova and hear him
plead not guilty to the two indictments
against him. one for assauIting his wife
and the other for abandonment.
Miss BOVINE received handsome 5ou-
quet OF pink carnations from her aunt.
Mrs. Lenhart, this morning, She has
not yet been persuaded to leave the jail.
Cordova since his Incarceration is get
ting quite bald from worrtment over
Julia. Cordoya, 1t IS reported, Is doing
his best to get his wife to institute pro-
ceedings for divorce against him SO that
he will be free and can marry Miss
Bovine Mrs. Cordova declares she Will
not do anything Of the sort.
Urged Wife to Get Divorce.
Cordova has sent several letters to
Mrs. Cordova since he eloped the first
time. In one of them. which she re-
ceived about the middle of last Febru-
ary. when CordoYa was in New York
city. the former pastor, referring to a
divorce, says:
Il do promise that when Mrs. Lizzie
Cordova gets a separation from me by
divorce that 1 will pay all costs and
lawyer. provided they are just and
true
cerdova, in t:se same letter. makes this
promise:
And to make this promise binding
upon me, [ do hereby attach my sigma
ture. j. f. Cordova.
Cerdova was brought to court at II
O'Clock by County Detective MuIvey and
Detective Peltier. Muivey brought Cor
dova and Miss Bovine here from Wash
ington, and PeItier arrested Miss Bovine
on the arrival Of the train here az a
States witness
Dodged Photographers.
Cordova walked from the jail to the
court house between the two officers
and held his hat in front of his face
so no one could get his picture He
| carried his glasses in his hand and
put them on again upon returning to the
| jail.
The court room was jammed with
/ people. As he stopped before the bench
| Cordova nodded to Judge Strong. and
! the judge returned the greeting.
| Prosecutor Berdine at cnce charged
| Cordoya upon two indictments one for
assault and the other for abandonment.
The grand jury has indicted you for
| assault and battery upon your wife, al
| leging you struck her at South River
| on April 1 last. How do you plead?"
asked the prosecutor
Cordova shook his head negatively and
said: Not guilty
You have also been indicted under
| the statute of 1904 for deserting your
wife and refusing and negIecting to pro
| vide and maintain her and your chill
| dren. What do you plead?''
mot guilty, said Cordova In clear
| tones.
asks Early Trial.
Prosecutor Berdine, addressing the
| court. asked that an immediate trial be
had, as it had been difficult to get the
| testimony and he wanted to dispose OF
the case this week, not later than Fri.
day.
| Why such unusual haste?" asked
Lawyer Cook FOR Cordcva
| why should there be any particular
delay In this case?" said Judge Strong
The matter is in a small compass,
Are there many wftpesses?"
I cannot say. replied Lawyer Cook
There may be and there may not Thc
case is one that the jury would wan
corroborative evidence on our side. Som.
of our witnesses are in the State ant
some in Brooklyn
How much time do you want?" asked
Judge Strong.
was Lawyer Cooks reply. Il can't se'
why there should be such haste II
meet Mr.. Berdine Friday and we cal
arrange a day"
Taken Back to Jail.
No, well arrange it now" said tn
Judge. There is witness in jail" sal,
the prosecutor, referring to Miss Bovine
land efforts are being made toget her t
leave it. If she gets away 1 am afraii
we can't get her. / want to use her IL
the case and it is unfair to keep her II
jail any longer than necessary. 1t is
| notorious case and the people ar
entitled to have the State show som
activity In the matter. The people kney
l about their actions when arrested an
: certainly knew what they wero doing
/ would like TO set the case down for Fri
: day. but viii set 1t down for Monda
and 1t will take a very strong reason o
f your part. Lawyer Cook, to get it pest
j poned on that day
! Take him back to JAIL" said tn
> ! prosecutor and Cordoya was led to hi
. cell holding his hat In front of hi
- for oil he he