Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-20
PLATT ON THE STAND
Feature of Today's Hearing in
the Wood Divorce Suit.
LARGE CROWD PRESENT
Emphatic Denials to the Allegations
Of the Plaintiff.
NEVER ASKED HER TO MARRY
Called Her "Catty" Because He
Liked Her-Repudiated Alleged
Marriage Certificate.
NEVER ASKED HER TO MARRY


Platt 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 woman
who is suing him for divorce on the al
legation that he entered into a marriage
contract with her in 1901. The senator
entered the courtroom leaning heavily on
the arms of two attendants. He seemed
very feeble and walked with difficulty
He was accompanied by his son, Frank
H. Platt, and a stylishly attired woman.
The prospect that the senator would be
in court today drew large crowds to
the county building. where the hearing
IS in progress.
In opening the testimony the senator
said he was nearly seventy-five years old
His first wife died in 1901. He first met
Miss Wood in 1901
DO you remember seeing her at the
Oriental Hotel?" was asked
Il never saw her at the Oriental Hotel
in my life
do you remember asking her in the
month of August 1901. at the Oriental
Hctel. to become your wife,
Il never asked her. It's false
The senator described his rooms at the
Arlington Hotel and said No. 15S was
and a bathroom.
Never Talked Of Marriage.
Did you talk to the plaintiff in No
vember. 1901. about marriage?"
NO"
Did you Thursday, November 9, ask
ner 70 marry you. the ceremony to take
place Saturday. and say you, yourself,
would make all arrangements?'
I did not" replied the senator
The senator denied empha tically that he
had given Miss Wood photograph OF
himself on which he had written ito nv
dear wife" Miss Wood testified that she
was sitting on Platt's knee while he wrote
these words.
Mr.. LeBarbier. Miss Woods counsel
asked Platt If he ever addressed Miss
Wood in endearing terms.
Platt said: Il may have foolishly done
SO sometimes"
P1att said he saw Miss Wood sometimes
at his business Office at 49 Broadway, and
that Miss Wood called with a Mrs. Can
field. who was a candidate for an ap-
pointment in the Philippines. How many
times did you see her at the Fifth Ave-
nue. Hotel?" asked Mr.. LeBarbier.
Il could not say. I saw her there a
good many times"
Did you call her katy?''
Much Pleased With Miss Wood.
Il called her Catty in my letters. I
was very much pleased with her and liked
her very much"
did she call you by any pet name?"
Never in my life"
why did you like herr"
Because she was an agreeable woman. .
did you ever at any time or place
marry the plaintiff in this suit?" asked
Mr.. Stanchfield, counsel for the senator.
Il did not
Did you ever promise to marry the
plaintiff?"
Did she ever promise to marry you!
Not that ] know OF"
The senator said that he first learned
that Miss Wood claimed to be his wife
from a Chicago newspaper. he thought In
1903, he could not remember the year.
Repudiates Wedding Ring.
Did you ever give the plaintiff a we'd
ding ring?"
Il never gave the plaintiff wedding
ring in my life"
Did you ever have a wedding ring in
scribed for her?'
The LAWYER handed the senator the al
legged marriage certificate, and the senator
said that he never saw the paper before
in his life, although he had seen photo
Did YOU on the night of November 9.
1901, hand that paper TO the PLAINTIFF?
Il never did"
DO you know where that exhibit was
procured. or who procured it?''
Il do not"
,,., Is II there sss any handwriting of yours on
The senator looked the paper over, back
and front, and answered.:
There is not"
Denied Writing Letters.
All of the letters alleged to have been
written by the senator to Miss Wood
written any of them. The letter reading
Your letter is SO bright it almost recon-
Giles me to Odell's election was dated
1901, and Mr.. Stanchfield asked: 'Odell
was elected way back in 1900. was he
not?"
He was"
"Yes, that was the year he beat me.
and I thought I could not be mistaken, =
said Mr. Stanchfield. which raised a
laugh in the courtroom, in which the
senator joined.
The senator declared positively that he
had never maintained improper relations
with the plaintiff.
did you ever call her by more en-
dearing name than 'Catty. call her dear
est?' asked Mr. LeBarbier.
II don't believe I ever did"
Ever tell her you were miserable?"
Il don't remember it
Never Called Her Dearest Mae.
Mr. LeBarbier read a letter alleged to
have been written by Platt to Mae Wood
in 1902. calling her Dearest Mae" say
ing she must not expect much from him
as his time was occupied and life is
hardly worth living"
After the convention he hoped to meet
her It ended: Peace and plenty be
with you"
Platt said:
ter would not write letter in such
a tone to her now or at any time"
PIatt was shown the letter and he said
II was in his handwriting.
..Why did you address her so?" ques-
toned Mr.. LeBarbier.
because I liked to correspond with
her"
.The only one?"
"She was one"
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