Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-26
MRS, TRAUTMAN HELD
QUESTION OF AN ALIBI ARISES
IN COURT.
She Told the Police She Was in q
Turkish Bath-Case Postponed
Until Tomorrow.

NEW YORK, December 26.-Mrs. Alex
ander Trautman. wife of DR.. Alexander
Trautman. a weIl-known physician, OF
NO. 800 Lexington avenue, who was ar
rested on Monday night on allegations by
Peter J. Hogan of No. 102 East Goth
street, that she had robbed him of $13
on Saturday night had her case post
poned yesterday in the Jefferson Market
court until tomorrow. The delay was to
allow Mrs. Trautrnan to get legal advice.
Mrs. Trautman had gone to court with mt
counsel, ready to state her case, and re-
lying on the dismissal of the charge. a
case of mistaken identity, she said, was
the cause for Hogans charges.
Hogan, who is freight clerk employed
by the Erie railroad, was positive on
Monday night that Mrs. Trautman was
the woman who, on last Saturday night
had robbed him of $13. He was equally
positive in court yesterday morning. but
his Identification, if it was such, failed
utterly when he tried to describe the ap-
pearance of the woman who robbed him
before Mrs. Trautman appeared He
could not furnish an accurate or complete
| description. and was unable to say
whether the woman was blonde or
brunette Mrs. Trautman is of the latter
type. Hogan explained in failing to give
a good description that he wore glasses
on Saturday night, and, as 1t was very
dark, there being few lights on the part
of 9th avenue where he was robbed. he
could not tell infinitely how the woman
looked.
Mrs. Trautman Positive.
Mrs. Trautman was equally positive
that it was all case of mistaken identi-
ty 1t had been reported that On Sauur-
day night Mrs. Trautman had been at
the opera. 1t was also said that she was
ill on that evening. When arraigned at
the police station Sergeant Mccarthy, IN
the presence of three witnesses, ques-
toned her SO as to see whether Hogan
had caused the arrest of an innocent
woman.
Can you prove this man is mistaken"
the sergeant asked her.
How can L prove 1t, sergeant?' she re-
piled. Il am willing to furnish any proof
possible but don't know any way to dis
prove it"
well, tell us what you were doing Sat
urday evening the sergeant asked.
Mrs. Trautman hesitated and replied
LET me see. On Friday night l was at
the opera with my husband
Il didn't ask you about Friday night" the
sergeant interrupted to say. II asked you
about Saturday night
Mrs Trautman thought again, looking to
the ceiling, as if to refresh her memory.
She then said.
We'll, 1 wasn't anywhere on Saturday
night except in my home.
At Turkish Bath.
"This man." insisted the sergeant, point
ing to Hogan. claims the robbery hap
pened about IL o'clock Were you home
them
mo. 7 was at Turkish bath at that
time Mrs. Trautman answered
That completed the examination as far
as trying to find where Mrs. Trautman was
on Saturday night Later Sergt Mccarthy
asked:
"Of course, 1 am was the quick re-
sponse
when did you see him last?"
cat 1 o'clock this afternoon"
There was no further conversation, and
the sergeant decided to hold Mrs Traut-
man. and she was locked up pending the
arrival of ball.
Mrs. Edward T. Scofield of No. 131 West
21st street. who gave bail for Mrs. Traut-
man later. advanced theory for the pos
sible mistake of Hogan She said that
Mrs. Trautman had only recently returned
from Paris, and brought several Partisan
gowns with her. Some of these, she said
were of bright patterns, and it was posi-
BILE that Hogan might have mistaken the
gown Mrs. kaufman wore for one that
the woman on Saturday night had worn.
With MI. Scofeld.
With Mrs. Trautman when she went to
the Jefferson Market court yesterday, was
Edward T. Schofeld. who had gone to her
aid on Monday night.
Have you an Attorney" Magistrate Finn
asked.
mo, your honor" she replied. II don't
think that one is necessary. 1 have come
here simply to tell the truth. / cannot see
that I need a lawyer. Besides, my attor-
ney is out Of town"
Magistrate Finn advised her to secure
counsel, saying that it might be necessary
to cross -examine the complainant. Mrs.
Trautman finally agreed, and adjournment
was taken until tomorrow morning.
Mrs. Trautman was asked where she was
on Saturday night and replied:
This Is a case of mistaken identity. 1
was at home and in bed ill on Saturday
night. The reports published today de-
claring me to have been at the opera on
Saturday night are mistaken. I went to
the opera on Friday night and Saturday
night. l said. was at home and in
bed"
Magistrate Finn accepted the continuance
of bail of 1000, as given at the station
house on Monday might.
Neither DR.. nor Mrs. Trautman could be
found last night. The home. brownstone
house in Lexington avenue. was closed,
and the ringing Of the bell failed to bring
any reply. Christmas wreaths in the win
dows showed that the family had evidently
been at home within a day Or two