Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-20
Senator Testifies in His Own Be-
half in Suit Brought by
Mae Wood.
HE FIRST MET HER IN 1901.
Denies That He Err at Any Time
Asked H 40 Marry
Him.
Came Into Court Leaning on Arms OF
Two Northumberland Feeble,
Walking With Difficulty,

New York May Ex-senator r. c.
Plat went on the witness stand today
to give testimony in his own behalf in
the sensational suit brought against
him by Mae c. Wood, the Omaha wom
an who Is suing him for divorce on the
allegation that he entered into a mar
rage contract with her In 1901. The
senator entered court leaning heavily
| on the arms OF two attendants He
seemed very feeble and walked with
difficulty. He was accompanied by his
son, Frank II, Plat. and u stylishly
attired woman.
The prospect that tine senator would
be in court today drew large crowds TO
the county building where the hearing
is in progress.
This prospect was revealed during
| yesterdays sensational session of the
hearing when the court denied the
motion Of the defense to dismiss the
suit. Following this decision Miss Wood
| continued her testimony with the result
that the statement alleged 10 have been
| signed by j. Martin Miller was put in
evidence. This alleged that Secy Loeb.
! Robert G. WYnne, former first assistant
postmaster general now consul general
| at London, and Senator Plat conspired
| to obtain from Miss Wood certain let
! ters which she claimed were written to
her by the senator Both Mr. Loeb and
Mr.. Wynne denied last night that they
| took part IN any such action.
In opening his testimony the senator
said he was nearly 10 years old. His
| first wife died in 1901. He first met
q.
DO you remember seeing her at the
| Oriental hotelY" was asked.
~ never saw her at the Oriental hotel
| In my life"
do you remember asking her in the
month of August 1901, al the oriental
hotel, to become your Wife,
II never asked her. It's false"
The senator described his rooms at
the Arlington hotel and said No. l5S
was the parior ana there We're two bed
rooms and bath.
Did you talk 10 the plaintiff In Mo-
vember, 1901. about MARRIAGE
NO"
Did you OH Thursday, Nov. 3 ask
her to marry you, the ceremony to take
place on Saturday and say you your
self would make all arrange ments?'
81 did not" replied the senator.
The senator denied emphatically that
he had given Miss Wood photograph
Of himself on which he had written
ITO my dear wife"
Miss Wood testified that she was sit
ting on Platt's knee while he %rols
these words.
Mr.. L. Barber, Miss Woods counsel,
asked Platt If he ever addressed Miss
Wood IN endearing terms.
Platt said: 81 may have foolishly
done so sometimes"
Plat said he saw Miss Wood some
times al his business office at 40 Broad
way and that Miss Wood called with
a Mrs Garfield who was a candidate
for an appointment in the philippines
How many times did you see her AT
the Fifth avenue hotel?' asked Mr.. Le-
barber.
good many times"
"Did YOU call her Katy?'
Il called her Katy in my letters.
was very much pleased Win her anu
liked her very much 40
did she call you by any pet name?
Never In my life
ewhy did you like her2'
Because sho was an agreeable Wo-
man"
'Did YOU ever at any time or place
marry the plaintiff IN this suit?' asked
Mr.. Stanchheld, counsel for the sena-
tor.
Il did not"
Did you ever promise to marry
the plaintiff?
II did not
ibid she ever promise 10 marry your
Not that ] know Of"
The senator said that he first learned
that Miss Wood claimed to be his wife
from Chicago newspaper he thought
in 1903; he could not remember IN"
year,
wedding ring?"
II never gave the plaintiff wedding
| ring IN my life
a vim