The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-05-19
MISS WOOD
ON STAND
TEsTIFlEs IN HER DIVORCE SUIT
AGAINST SENATOR TOM
&. PLATT.
LETTERS ARE READ

Married AGED senator at Fifth Ave
nue. Hotel ia New York Clyde
tense Submits Letter Threatening
Breach Of Promise Suit.
New York, May 1S. Catherine
Wood was on the witness stand all
day today testifying in her suit for
absolute divorce from United States
Senator Thomas 9. Plat before JUS
tlce O'Gorman IN the supreme court.
In support Of her assertion that she
had been secretly married to Senator
Platt at the Fifth Avenue hotel on
November 3, 1901, her counsel intro
duced In evidence marriage certih-
cate which, he said, had been handed
her by the minister who performed
the ceremony, and copies Of a number
Of letters alleged to have been writ
ten to her by the senator addressed
In terms Of endearment. On cross
examination Miss Wood told how she
came to give up the letters and papers
she possessed relating to Senator
Platt, alleging that she did so under
duress and was compelled to sign a
receipt for $4,000 in settlement of all
her claims against the senator. Sena-
tor Platt was not in court today.
Miss Woods Complaint.
Miss Wood in her complaint, de-
clares that she was married to Sena-
tor Platt in this city on November 8,
1901. She named as correspondent in
her suit Mrs. Lillian Janeway. who
was married to the senator in 1903. In
his answer the senator declares that
Miss Woods allegation that he mar
ried her about November 8, 1901, in
New York, are absolutely false.
The plaintiff never made any claim
to me that she was married to me un-
til December, 1906" says Senator
Platt, In his answer, NOR did ever
hear OF her making any claim OF mar
riage prior to that time except that in
June, 1906, an article appeared in q
Chicago newspaper an interview pur-
porting to come from her in which
she stated that such marriage had
taken place and that article was ac-
companied by picture Of alleged
fac simile Of a wedding certificate con
tanning my name in it,
He declares that the certificate re-
produced In the newspaper is q for
gerry. He charges that since 1906 Miss
Wood has tried to get money from
him by threats that she would sue
him for breach Of promise Of mar
riage. ;g 8#
Miss Wood First Witness.
Miss Wood was the first witness.
She was stylishly attired and self.
possessed. She testified that Mr..
Platt first promised to marry her at
Manhattan Beach. 'tHe said the mar
riage must be secret as he was an old
man." added the witness. Il demurred
and told him that he knew nothing
about me, but he said he knew all my
past life"
Miss Wood said she had two letters
from Platt, but that one Of them was
demanded from her by J. Martin Mil
Ter and another man, on October
1908, and that she had never seen II
since. His counsel showed the wit
ness typewriter copy Of the letter
and she identified 1t as containing
practically the contents Of the letter
4 It was admitted In evidence despite
the objections Of John B. Stanchfield
Mr.. Platt's counsel. The copy was
dated November 8, 1901. and read IN
part as follows:
Senator Wrote Her a Letter.
my Little Bride,to-Be: have made
4 all arrangements. You are not to say
anything to anybody. You are tc
obey my instructions implicitly. en-
close card to the hotel. You will be
there at 4 o'clock and have room 1853
1 am an old fool, but you shall never
regret this step. Lovingly, TOM"
Another letter Of the same date waf
also filed in evidence, in which thu
writer told Miss Wood that he wouli
not arrive at the hotel until after
o'clock and she was to go to her room
and wait a signal from him.
The witness said she waited as di
rected, that he came to her room
that he embraced her and introduced
her to the men.
Tells Of Alleged Ceremony.
Il took his hand, " said Miss Wood
'and one Of the men began the civi
ceremony by saying: You take thi'
woman to be your lawful wife and 20,
take this man to be your lawful wed
ded husband?'"
Miss Wood said that Senator Flat
gave her . wedding ring and she dis
played the ring to the court. It bor'
no inscription. She declared that sh'
thought the man that performed tn