The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-04-13
ATTORNEY JOHN ROBBINS SAYS
THAT VAUGHAN PROPOSED,
BUT LATER APPRIsEo PLAIN.
TIFF HE HAD CHANGED MIND.
STUDY GROWS SARCASTIC.
Said the Plaintiff Would Make an At.
tempt to Show That Vaughan Took
led and Kissed Her.

II was not until this afternoon that
any evidence was placed before the ju-
ry hearing the case of Susan J. Smith
VS.. John ID. Vaughan for $1,000 dam
ages for breach of promise to marry.
The lobby of the court room was
crowded almost to capacity when the
case was called. Delay was necessary
because of the tardiness in the arrival
of some of the jurors who had to come
TO the city by rail. II was not until
about 1915 o'clock that the jury en-
tered the box.
Mrs, Smith. accompanied by her
daughter. Miss Mildred. a sister, Mrs
Nixon, who is expected to figure prom
inently in the evidence, Claude Keever
of Fountain City. friend of the fam
lily, and two brothers. gathered at the
| court room about . O'Clock. They ap-
peared before their attorneys arrived
and did not appear to understand the
cause of delay Mrs Smith is a good
| looking. middle-aged woman and is the
cynosure of all eyes. The defendant
ranks second in the demand made by
the public for a chance TO see the liti-
gants. Mrs Smith wore a blue dress
and the nervous stress under which
she seemed TO labor was evidenced ex-
ternally by flush on her cheeks. She
occupies a seat at the side OF her coun-
sci and offers frequent suggestions.
The defendant looked long at Mrs.
Smith after he had taken his seat IN
the court room. II there were any ex-
change OF recognition it must have
been telepathic. Mr.. aVughan appear
ed slightly nervous. Despite his ma
ture years he is a hale appearing man
and gives superficial indication OF be-
ing a man who does not surrender
| without an effort, no matter what may
be the stake.
Much Legal Talent
/ The legal talent displayed rs alone
sufficient indication that the case will
be fought earnestly, and in all proba-
bility, bitterly. The plaintiff is rep
resented by Henry L. Johnson. former
| Congressman, John F. Robbins and
| Byram Robbins. of the firm of Robbins
Starr and Robbins. The defendants
counsel consists of Thomas J. Study,
city attorney, Wilfred Jessup, prosecut-
ing attorney. and w. Cayior OF Chica-
go. The latter is a son law Of Mr.
| Vaughan. and formerly was assistant
| attorney in the Windy City. The ex-
animation of jurors and me exchange
of invectives and sarcastic remarks on
| the part of Messrs. Study Johnson and
| J. F. Robbins. made it apparent that =
| continuation OF this sort Of procedure
| may be expected.
The tilts between theattorneys were
| seized upon as food for laughter among
the lobbyists. and when on one occa-
sion Mr.. Study arose and pointed his
| finger dramatically at J. F. Robbins.
| the tranquility OF the court was dis
turbed and Judge Fox raped for order.
| Among the earliest arrivals in the
court room was a group of women.
They sat near the rear OF the room,
but when the examination of jurors be-
gan and the women learned they could
not understand distinctly from where
they were seated, they moved forward
| The first rows were occupied early, and
| later arrivals had TO be content with
accommodations in the rear.
Jurymen Excused.
| Several members Of the regular jury
were excused from service. because II
/ was found they were acquainted with
| the Iitigants had had business deal
| ings with them. One juryn1an was
excused because he resided near Foun-
tain City. and is acquainted with rela-
tives of Mrs. Smith. Clarence Had
ley. the Main street meat dealer, was
| excused because Mr.. avughan has
| been a customer Of his, and he stated
| he would not care to be member OF
the jury for reasons the attorneys for
the plaintiff deemed sufficient.
The first break in the tedium Of ex.
animation of the jury yenire came