The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-22
CARUSO FLATLY
DENIES CHARGE
BY THE POLICE

New York. Nov 22-iEnrico Caruso. the
famous Italian tenor, faced an audience
of 600 persons in the YorkyIlle police court
and denied positively that he had offered
an insult to a woman in the monkey
house in Central park last Friday. He
declared that his arrest was due 20 plque
upon the part OF woman who described
herself as Hannah Graham and be-
cause he failed 10 respond 10 advances
which she made 10 him.
The examination OF the prisoner had
not been completed when the magistrate
suggested that the case be adjourned, as
there were many other cases for the
court 10 hear.
Yorkville police court probably never be-
fore had held such a gathering as yester-
days. It's normal capacity Is scarcely
more than 200. but long before the hour
set for the appearance OF Caruso nearly
three times that number OF persons had
crowded into the little room. They were
packed so closely that II was almost inn
possible to move about Nearly all the
spectators were men.
Mrs. Graham was not present 20 press
the charge which she lodged against the
singer and the police officers interested in
the affair testified they had made every
effort TO find the woman. but without
result.
Park Policeman Cain, who made the
arrest was there, however and he told
a crcumstantial story of the alleged incl
dents which led to the arrest of the
tenor, and he was corroborated i'm part
by other witnesses. Several other police
men. including the desk sergeant and the
captain OF Gains precinct, corroborated
the officer as TO happenings in the police
station at the time Of the arrest
They declared that Caruso pleaded with
| A "A Qh "A
him and that with outstretched hands
and In an imploring voice he declared
that lit is all a mistake. madame;
meant no harm" A young man, who
gave his name as jeremiah Mccarthy
corroborated Gains testimony as TO
Caruso's alleged action i'm the monkey
house. He said his attention had been
called to Caruso by the officer
Against all this. the singer placed
what amounted practically to a fiat de-
Eial OF the whole case OF the prosecu-
tion. He denied the ability TO speak
English and declared that, consequently
IL would have been impossible for him
to have made the statements attributed
to him by the police. He declared that
the woman upon whose complaint he
was arrested had smiled at him and by
look and action invited attention which
he did not condescend 10 give He vas
calm and self-possessed during his exam
ination.
Officer Cain, the park policeman who
arrested Caruso, was the first witness
lie said he had seen Caruso in the build
ing before and had watched him particu-
larly. In the monkey house he saw
Caruso following two girls. one of these
girls was about II years old.
Policeman Cain gave some sensational
testimony. He said that he saw Caruso
move up close TO Mrs Graham, and then
saw one of Caruso's hands glide stealthily
through a slit In his overcoat and then
he saw Caruso pinch the woman. Mrs
Graham turned swiftly and struck Caruso
in the chest, crying out: You brute; you
beast"
After Mrs Graham had struck the
singer. Cain testified, the officer stepped
between them. and placing his hond on
Caruso's shoulder he asked the woman
what had happened She replied that the
man had insulted her and that she wanted
him arrested She declared that she
would willingly appear against him. She
went TO the police station and swore
Ia the complaint. Caruso said nothing
until the station house was reached.
Then he protested that his arrest was
all n mistake and that he was a gentle
man.