New-York tribune., 1906-07-18
LOVE LETTERS FORGED.
Yesterdays Testimony AH to This
Effect en- Hartje Trial.
ny Telegraph to The Tribune. ]


Fittsburg. July 1.-THE father Of Mrs Hartje
went on the stand to-day In the Hartje trial.
This man has given his whole fortune 70 his
daughter 10 break down the testimony the nus-
band has sought 20 offer TO destroy her reputa-
GiOn and take her children from her. Mrs.
Hartje Wept as her father gave his testimony
The forenoon was taken up with a number OF
local bankers. who testified that the writing IN
the letters introduced in the case was forged.
J. Scott Ferguson. OF Hartje's counsel. sought 10
have this evidence thrown out on the ground
that the bankers were not experts under the
act permitting such testimony. but Judge Fraser
snled against him.
Mrs. John Scott, Mrs. Hartjes mother. told
OF the watch held over Mrs. Hartje since the
trouble began. and said that she never left the
house alone. This testimony was entered 70
oseto allusions in the letters TO her clandestine
meetings with Tom Nadine. The watch, Mrs.
Scott stated. was established by direction OF the
attorneys Her testimony concerning the Susie
Wagner letter, known as Exhibit 6. was sensa-
tional Mrs Scott declared that she had seen
the Susie" Wagner letter before it was mailed
and that there were statements in the original
letter that were not in the alleged Wagner letter
exhibited in court and that the letter produced
sn court contained some statements that were
not in the real Wagner letter. This letter was
one of the 'standards' in the case until Mrs
shown her, and declared she had been deceived
John T. Scott, father OF the respondent. tesL-
sled 70 the efforts for reconciliation he salo
that Hartjes brother, Edward. went 70 his ONCE
and also visited Mrs. Hartje at the Scott nome
and talked TO her in the presence OF the raTnily.
The next day he said, Hartie called again at
his Office and asked him 70 force his daughter
70 return to her husband. II you turn her out
she Will have place 10 60 and VIII nave 20
come back HRrt5e said. and this ended all er-
forts AZ reconciliation.
Mrs. Mary sIocum, friend and neighboT OF
Mrs. Hartje. testified that the disputed Dear
Susie letter, Exhibit 81. not written
by Mrs Hartje. nor the love letters. She
said she knew Mrs. HaTtje's handwriting well.
Miss Ida Scott, sister Of Mrs. Hartje, six
teen-year-old school girl, was the star witness
OF the day. She told of giving her private writ
ing paper 70 Annie LutZ, the seanstress in the
house, whom Hartje had employed as spy.
This testimony was entered to account Tor this
who forged the letters. She also told Of Baltic
postcards and letter paper being in the house
among the children's keepsales, and OF their
disappearance. Her most important testimony,
however. was the Identification of Exhibit 81, the
only envelope in the case, having been written
by herself at the request Of Annie Lutz Hart
je's experts declared that this was Mrs HartJe'
handwriting. and Miss Scotts testimony tends
70 discredit them and breakS down their case.
POstOdice detectives have found the person
who wrote the anonymous note TO Mrs. SlocuTn
threatening her with death. The person has
left the city 20 avoid arrest, but IL is believed
viii be in custody shortly.
Miss Scott was on the stand when court ad-
3Ourned. She Will write addresses on envelopes
eimlar to the one I'm evidence tomorrow 20
prove her handwriting
II is expected that Annie Lutz will be the next
witness called and interrogated as TO what she
did with the envelopes addressed by Ida Scott
and with the latteF's paper given 20 her.