The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-09-08
THE DETECTIVES IN
THE TAGGART CASE
BRIEFLY HELD THE CENTER OF
THE STAGE.
Taggart Accuses Judge Smyser Of
Taking Advantage of Position to
Prosecute Him.

Wooster, O., Sept. 7.-Chief of Police
Fred. Kohler of Cleveland was the
most striking witness in the Taggart
divorce case here today, and, although
In the settlement of the case neither
the testimony of Chief Kohler nor his
sergeant of detectives, James Doran,
will be of much interest, still it aroused
considerable bad blood between the fac
tions.
DO you know r. ]. Coach of Cleve-
land?" was asked.
IL do said Koher "He runs a de-
teotive agency in Cleveland. We know
of him travelling under other names, as
Allen Dixon, Cameron, ETC."
The witness was handed a couple of
pictures of Coach, which he identified
as having been taken from the rogues'
gallery of Cleveland. Two were in citi-
zens' clothes, and two in prison garb.
Attorney Wertz objected fiercely to
Kchler's testimony, which was given to
counteract some testimony of F. f.
Dow, detective, given yesterday. Dow
is employed in Coach's agency. Chief
Kohler said he knew nothing about
Dow at all. On cross-eXamination Mr..
Kohler was asked: Don't you know
that for some time past this Coach
agency has been tracking you, and that
It has your picture in various compro-
missing positions?"
II don't know. They are liable to
blackmail anybody"
Are you acquainted with Coach?"
Yes, sir"
do you ever speak to him?"
mo, sir"
"Why not?"
I'm not in the habit of talking to
crooks unless l have business with
them"
James Doran, sergeant of the detec-
tive force in Cleveland, was then called
to the stand. He said he knew of the
Coach detective agency, but did not
know of F. F. Dow. He also identified
the pictures of Coach. After the testi-
mony of Doran Attorney Wertz moved
that all this testimony about Coach be
stricken from the records, but Judge
Eason overruled the motion. Wertz
then read a large number of letters
from large business firms in Cleveland,
Akron and other places, recommending
very highly the Coach agency. After
he had read number the court shut
off the rest, as there were about 400 of
them.
During the testimony Of Major Tag
CART this morning there was an alter
cation between the major and Judge
Smyser relative to letter written byI
Smyser to the war department asking |
for an investigation of the case by the |
department. Taggart said the letter to
the department. by Mrs. Taggart,
through her attorneys, was the most
heartless thing ever conceived by a |
person with a conscience, and accused
Judge Smyser of having said that he |
would take advantage of his position |
as congressman and his position with
the war department to defeat him in
the case. Smyser at once denied hay-
ing made such a statement.
"Well, Mrs. Taggart said you did,
anyway" said the captain.
Smyser had the letter read after re-
cess and afterwards furnished Taggart |
with a copy. Taggart upon looking at
the copy in Smysers copybook noticed
that it was not signed.
II signed it all right, though"
"As a congressman" asked Taggart.
mo, l don't try my lawsuits as
congressman" answered Smyser.
There ensued some more argument |
on the subject. Capt Taggart denied
on the stand that his assault had been
brutal or that he had hurt his wife.
Mrs. Vose was also called to give tes-
timony in rebuttal, which consisted of
a reiteration of her former statements |
in regard to the familiarity of Taggart
and Augustine.
Taggart was again called to the
stand for few minutes just before
court closed, but his testimony was un-
important. The arguments will begin |