Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-25
Hearing on Alleged Con-
spifacy Begins Tuesday.
Counsel tor One Defendant An
nounces CLIENTS Confession.
Mrs. Ben Teal on Point Of COLLAPSE
When Hearing Adjourns.

New York, July 24-With Frank
Jay Gould, the millionaire, in court,
the hearing of the case Of alleged con-
spiracy to manufacture divorce evil
dence against him was begun this at
ternoon. He has been subpoenaed by
the lawyers for three prisoners in the
ing and Detective Mousley, and for
nearly four hours he sat beside his
counsel, listening to the remarkable
testimony that was given.
There were three sensational Incl
dents at the hearing. The first came
up when Lawyer Carpet who appears
f'r Mir Julia Fleming. one of the
=" opeiS. announced that his client
La made confession The second
was when the lawyer for the defence
said that they intended to show that
Miss Mabel MacCauslan, the mill
liners apprentice who accuses the
prisoners of having bargained with
her to sign an affidavit against Mr.
Gould, went to Mrs. Ben Teal with a
story that she had evidence against
Mr.. Gould which she wanted to sell
to Mrs. Gould's lawyers and that she
thought Mrs. Teal could tell her who
to go to. The other sensation was the
announcement that Miss Fleming, who
is still a prisoner in the Tombs, is to
be married tomorrow. A request to
have bail reduced in her case was
made. but even if she is compelled to
remain in the Tombs, the wedding will
take place, provided the prison Off
Gals consent.
Mrs. Ben Teal wife of one of the
most prominent theatrical managers
in America and the principal figure in
the case, was accompanied to court
by her husband and two women
friends. She was deliberately dressed
and tried to bear up bravely while
Miss MacCauslan was telling her
story of the alleged conspiracy, but
by the time the hearing was adjourn
ed for the day she was on the verge
of collapse and had to be supported
out Of the court room.
Mrs. Gould and Miss Devoe. the
young actress whose name has been
prominently mentioned in the case,
sat near each other in the court room
but neither gave a sign of even know
ing of the others presence. Miss
MacCausIan swore that she was to
get $500 for signing the affidavit and
that besides this she was to get a
trip to the country with all her ex-
penses paid She also testified that
Mrs. Teal told her that another girl
had been induced to make an similar
affidavit
The climax to the girls testimony
came when the prosecutor asked her
whether all that was in the affidavit
was true or false, and she dramatical-
ly exclaimed False"
Upon cross examination of the wit
ness the line of defence that will be
adopted for Mrs Teal and MOusley
was made known. The lawyer said he
could show that Miss MacCauslan
went to Mrs Teal with a story that
she could aid Mrs. Gould in her di-
vorce suit and asked Mrs. Teal for
advice in the matter. The lawyer
said that Miss MacCauslan was
aware of the fact that Mrs Teal rent
ed an apartment to Miss Devoc and
therefore supposed she could tell her
who to go to. He concluded by say
ing:
This young woman wanted to be
a witness in this sensational divorce
case in order to gain brilliant en-
trance to the profession she had chos-
en-" Adjournment was taken until
Tuesday.