The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1906-02-01
ACQUITTED OF
LIBEL CHARGE
EDITOR OF COLLIER WEEKLY
NOT GUILTY.
SENSATIONAL TRIAL ENDS
Trial Was Based on EDITORIAL in
Which Mr.. Hapgood Criticised
Judge Deul. Many Prominent Peo-
pie Were Implicated.

New York, Jan. 27.-An unusually
sensational trial came to an end last
night when a jury found Norman
Hapgood, editor Of Golfers Weekly
not guilty of criminal libel. The case
has been on trial several weeks. The
verdict was rendered ten minutes af-
ter the case had been given to the
jury. The charge against Mr.. Hap
good was brought at the instigation
of Justice Deul Of the court OF spe-
.cial sessions and was based on an edi-
torial In which he criticised Judge
Deul for his connection with Town
Topics.
The real interest in the case was
due TO the fact that the names of
scores of persons of the highest social
and financial standing became involv-
ed through the efforts Of the defense
to prove that the statements con-
tanned in the alleged libel were cor
rect and therefore justified. To at
tain this end come of the inner work
ings of Town Topics, weekly pub
hcation which circulates extensively
IN social circles, was laid bare. 1t was
In this connection and also through
the testimony concerning a limited
edition book which bore the title of
Fa6s and Fancies" which was sold
to subscribers at $1,000 or more per
copy
Among the witnesses who testified
at the trial were Commodore Gerry,
.. IL. P. Belmont, H. S. Lehr, B. N.
Baker of Baltimore, Col. Mann, JUS
tice Deul and Robert J. Collier.
In opening his argument to the jury
District Attorney Jerome said that he
would not attempt to disguise the
utter loathing and contempt he felt
for the witnesses he introduced.
Continuing Mr. Jerome said:
ut may be that ought not to be
here prosecuting one of the best
friends [ have got for a. crime which
in nay private judgment believe he
ought to have done and which / might
have done in his place, with more heat
and withmore vim than he displayed
Referring to the character of the
paper Clown Topics) he said in part ::
"Mr. Shepard has told you that Col.
Mann has stated that it was the
unnatural evolution of personal jour
nahsm. do not see what interest the
articles relating to adultery Of this or
chat person have for you or me.
"Does it serve any useful purpose /?
Is it cher than filth? It is there for
no other purpose than that of pay
Sng dividends to the stockholders.
Justification Of the editorial de-
nunciation of Mr.. Deul," Mr.. Jerome
said, "means that Deul was part own
er of the paper, censor and revisbr of
the proofs and that the paper which
nc edited In part extracts money and
prints scandal. It is alleged that he
threatened to make public the family
skelet4s of society people unless he
was given money"
The district attorney asserted that
Judge Deul did not violate the statute
which forbade him to practice law in
court, but said Gin my opinion he
violated the statute in carrying OH
business. 1t cannot be said that in
carrying on business he neglected his
judicial duties AS a justice I will
say for him, that he conducted his
judicial duties honestly, fairly and
we'll Growing gray and with his back
to the wall, Deul violates the city
charter in an eadeavor to provide for
himself in old age. I"
Not For Teddy.
La view Of the testimony Of Colonel
Main. editor Of Town Topics, in his
testimony, the editor of Golfers
Weekly, that the president had re-
ceived free copy Of Fads and Fan
cies, the following letter was made
public at The white house:
The White House. Washington,
November l, 1905.-Sir: The presi-
dent directs me 10 Acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter running as fol-
lows:
/" Colonel Mann S compliments to
the president and requesting the
honor af the acceptance of the work,
Fads and Fancies, for representation
in which TIE president was pleased
to give a photograph to Mrs. Hannil-
ton SINE three years ago, and which
is but iust completed. The volume is
sent today By Adams Express, (" and
say that as Mrs. Hampton has al
ready stated publicly, the president
did not give any photograph to her
SLAPPED "PRETTIEST GIRL"