The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-19
HOSPITAL RECORDS.
Only Evidence That Remains Unpro-
d.lced by Taggart's Lawyers.

Captain Gilmore Taggart, plaintiff in the
IaSgaft divorce case, rested their case
IteservIng the right to put in evidence
the records of Christ hospital at a fu-
ture time during the trial.
After the plaintiff had rested his case
Mr.. Smyser arose and asked that four
of the causes named in the PLAINTIFFS
amended petition be dismissed. Mr..
Smyser said he made this motion be-
cause he believed that the charges
against Mrs. sTaggart in the cases of
Richter, Spencer, Miner and Fortescue
had not been subStantiated. He admit
ted there was slight proof against Cap
tain Bash of Manila and Billy Tag
CART of Orrville. Just sufficient, said
the attorney, Ito warrant Mrs. Taggart
taking defensive attitude"
Judge Easton said he would decide
the question at 2:30 o'clock this after
noon.
Mr.. Wertz read letter received from
Cincinnati in court which had reference
plaintiff to secure the records of Christ
hospital. The letter was from a repre-
sentative of Captain Taggart in that
city, and stated that since the records
had become known as important evil
dence for Captain Taggart there had
been several attempts to spirit them
away. The writer said: THAT the three
officials of the hospital who are respon-
sible for the safety of the hospital rec
ords have disappeared in consecutive
order as fast as they were approached
with subpoena for the records.
1t is said that two of these custo-
dams have gone to Canada; the other
is said to be in Kentucky. Mr.. Wertz
asked the court to issue d writ calling
for the records from the hospital trus-
tees. Judge Eason refused to take this
step at the present time.
Closing Testimony.
When Captain Taggart resumed the
stand he was asked if all things were
To
to him and his wife the night of June
8, if they were the reason for a court
martial against him. This question re-
ferred to the night of the final ssepa-
ration of Captain and Mrs. Taggart.
Probably So" he replied.
He was then asked if he did not get
a note from his wife in answer to his
pleading to the effect II have not for
saken you, Tag, but l am doing all in
my power to save YOU.
He said that General Bell gave him
to understand that his wife had taken
steps to have him court-martialed- The
letter from the captain to General Bell
was produced, and he was asked II he
wrote it. He admitted having written
the letter.
Mrs Taggart's attorneys took up the
letters one by one in exhaustive detail,
which the captain had written to her,
and questioned him closely about
them.
Mrs. Taggart has evidently kept
practically every letter which he wrote
her, while Captain Taggart seems to
have lost or destroyed every letter or
note he has received from her. Not
only has Mrs. Taggart saved every let
! ter from her husband, but it is claimed
she has copies of all letters which she
sent him. Mr. Smyser read the fol-
lowing letter and asked the witness if
| it was not a true copy of the one he
had received while he was writing Mrs
Taggart the pleading notes from Fort
Leavenworth- The letter pur Porls 10 10
have been written by Mrs. Taggart
from San Francisco. 1t follows:
Mrs. Taggart's Letter.
Fort Leavenworth. Kan, September,
1903.
Gilmore F. Taggart: Dear Sir-After
! the most careful consideration OF all the
| facts that have tranSpired, alter read
ing the letters written by General Bell
and yourself and hearing the advice OF
! Colonel Birkheimer along the same lines,
/ am unable TO conceive now can DC
expected to return to you and the more
thought I give the matter the more IiA-
ed is my conviction.
TT is unnecessary to recount the
story of my wrongs. You nave ADMITTED
it all too many times. the physlcai
| violence yeu have inflicted, the gross
/ personal insults and all the accusations
| you have heaped upon me, make a ilst
of horrors beyond my belief, and, f1nally.
to save yourself, you prefer baseless
blackleg me inde1ibly in all quarters ar
ter I had procured your release from
the hospital and after you had written
repeatedly to me. iexonerat1ng me from
all blame.
Won have made the name of your
wife a byword in that army to which
you ask her to return nave peeh
Stunned and scorned by the army peo-
pie and every insult that has been put
/ upon me is directly traceable to the
reports circulated by you NOW am
/ asked to forget all this and retufn.to
commence the same round or Tnlserles'
broken vows and unredeemeu pleuse =.
The marks on my body and the sting IN
nv soul are sufficient warnings TOT me.
Nothing could induce me to return L
gave up everything for you. gave you
all my love and you nave kllieo II az
completely as though you killed me.
FAnd you refer to this as a quarrel. NO,
this is to be considered final Don {
come to San Francisco with the idea OF
changing my attitude. L VIII not see
Won The children are well and happy
Il and 7 shall feel it my duty to inform
you of their welfare from time 10 time,
i if YOU desire it. but the idea OF our
living together is one tterinposslplhty
I regret your Illness and trust you VIII
recover and be again the usefui and
efficient officer. hope for your con IE-
Il tfnued success, but. for myself, only
ask that you Will forward my persona
belongings when you are apie, ana az
s ter that. allow me to remain IN peace
in the new home I have chosen. " cry
sincerely yours GRACE TAGGARI-
Captain Taggart said he never re-
ceived this letter or letter that was
in any way similar to it, He AYERS ina
it is purely the product OF the lngen-
ious attorneys for Mrs. Taggart
1.-The letter seems to have a legal
tone" said Captain Taggart on the
stand. Mr.. Smyser, you may nave &c
tated it to her for purposes Of your own,
bIIf Mrs Taggart never wrote that LEFT