Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-18
HUSH MONEY.
PIatt Claims to Have Paid
Sums to Mrs. Elias
In Order to Keep the Unsavory
Affair Out of Court.
Has Poor Memory-Mrs. Elias Appears
With a Bodyeuard.

New York, Jan. 1.-THE trial IF John
r. Platt. TIL" octogancriln millionaire,
to recover from Mrs. Elias. Il ncgress
nearly three-quarter.; ot a million.
which he alleges she eXtOrted from him,
was begun before Justice O'Gorman in
the supreme court, today. The case was
set for trial 4 week ago, but Former
Gov. Frank :. i!ack senior counsel for
Mrs. Elias could not be present and
continuance WAS granted. Mr.. Black
was OH hand. today. but His client had
Mr.. Plat was present with his coun-
sci, however, ana it was decided not to
allow the absence of the defendant 10
delay the proceedings.
In opcning the case for the plaintiff,
G. r. Warren said that Mrs. Elias
sometime before proceedings We're be-
gun got from Plat Il number of letters
ana books which would have been very
valuable to him in proving the case
against the defendant, but that ne hop
ed even in their absence to prove their
contents, and thus establish the justice
of his clients claim.
Mr. Blacks motion that the case be
dismissed was denied by Justice OGor-
man, as was another motion, asking
for jury trial.
When Mr.. Plltt arose in response t"
a call from his counsel he appeared TO
be very feeble and was assisted to
chair in the witness stand. Guided by
questions from his counsel, spoken in
a louG tone III" witness; tod of his first
meeting With Mrs. Elias. more than 20
years ago. His story Vas practically
the same as that told VIXEN he was Oh
the stand in the magistrates court. ear
ly last summer, when the proceedings
against Mrs Elias We're begun. His
memory was extremely poor and he
could not remcn ber the amount of
money he had lent to Mrs. Elias.
Mr. Platt told Of many times when
he gave Mrs. Elias money in various
amounts to settle bills. which she told
him might result in law suits if not
paid. He made these payments because
he feared that if any of the cases
should get into court his name would
become involved and his relations with
the woman would become known. He
had been actuated entirely by a de-
sire to avoid publicity. Throughout the
entire examination his lack of memory
was apparent and nearly all OF his
statements were of a general nature.
Nh. Plat said that his relations with
Mrs. Elias for many years We're moSE
friendly and intimate, that he never
haG any feeling against lIer and that he
has no such feeling ROW.
s.NoI, mover, Intended 30 sue hcr.'
asked Mr.. Black.
NO. not until it was brought. IN :
suit was not started by m" This thing
got out and it came 10 NY brothers
ears AID he brought suit My property
vas taken away from me by trustees,
and | having nothing EoW, but tn"
clothes w" got ON.
Mrs. Elias appeared in court during
the progress Of the trial accompanied
hy a white man ANA a white woman.
She allowed it 10 become known that
her companions were h"dyguard To
protect her against any possible de
moEstration.
Mr.. Black read from the testimony
made before y polio magistrate, il
which Mr.. Plat said h" was not afraid
Of any man, and that he believed Mrs.
Elias would not expose him unless she
had to.
Mr.. Pratt conceded III" testimony as
read was correct. saying:
"As INC boys say, | believe she would
have stood pa
And if vour brother mad left you
alonc you would have stood pat?'
II would
THAT is all. NJ. P!att." concluded Mr.
Black and the old man icf; the stand.
The hearing was adjourned, until to
morrow morning.