The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-04-14
THEY HEARD RUMORS CONCERN
ING VAUGHAN AND ASKED WHY
HE DID NOT ACCOMPANY THEIR
MOTHER OUTSIDE THEIR HOME
STRANGER ON THE CASE,
Claimed That a Detective Is Now in
Richmond Working on Evidence
Not Vet Gained Which Will Benefit
Defendant.

A mysterious stranger, seems to be
working in the interest of John d.
Vaughan, defendant in the $4,000
breach Of promise suit brought by Su-
san J. Smith He walks by day and
by night, yet his movements are
shrouded under the sable mantel at
all times He is believed to be a gum
shoe artist, an occult research spec
ialist. His name it is said is Todd and
occasionally the initial w. appears as
a prefix. His movements during the
several days he has been in the city
have been subterraneous in so far as
any information he has divulged oas
been concerned. Upon him the defense
is relying to secure evidence that does
not appear on the surface.
He has been laboring to secure evi-
dence that will cast reflections upon
the integrity Of the character Of Mrs,
Smith The reputation accorded the
name of the defendant by rumor is
known generally throughout the city.
Mr. Todd's ingenuity as a sleuth is
expected to develop evidence that will
tend to influence the jury against Mrs.
Smith. What success he meets With
can be determined by the verdict of
notified to appear in the court room
the latter part of the week.
Mrs. Smith on Stand.
The second day of the trial was be-
gun with Mrs. Smith, the plaintiff on
the stand. The lobby was well filled
and the number of women in atten-
dance grows with each session of
court, The merry widows are there
in abundance. Many of the women
appear heavily yelled. 1t is not with
in the scope of the reporter to specify
If this fact be due to prevailing fash
ions or a desire to obscure facial ap-
pearance to some extent. Certain it
is the women appear as greatly pleas
ed as the men, when witnesses tell of
hugging and kissing episodes that
tNnspired at the home of Mrs. Smith
when she resided in this city. The
names of a large number of local per
sons appear in the testimony.
Made Good impression.
Mrs. Smith occupied the stand
throughout the day. She seemed to
make an unusually favorable impre S
sion with the jurors and everyone else
in the court room. She shows remark
able fOrtitude for woman witness.
She appears calm at crucial moments
and has shown no indication of vexa-
ton when the attorneys indulge in
their quarter hourly sQuabbles. She
as precise in her allegations, slow and
deliberate. She leans forward slight
ly in addressing the jury and speaks
tn clear distinct tones. She looks at
the jurors steadily and without a
qualm speaks of embarrassing situa-
tions in which she permitted herself
90 be placed because of affection for
the man. she says repudiated his
promise to her
Mrs. Smith told of her coming to
Richmond in April 1904. in company
with her sister, Mrs. Nixon and rent
ing flat at 221a North Ninth street
from John D. Vaughan, the defendant.
The rental arrangement was made
Through John Boone. Mrs. Nixon left
in November OF same year to become
al E6SludNeH. L lie OdISTl-
ter Mildred also made her home there.
The older daughter, Hazel, who at
tended school, was home during vaca.
tion. Miss Nola Savage. of Ceuter-
Vile, assisted in the sewing work. In
June 1906 the family removed to
Fountain City. The younger daughter
remained in Richmond with Marie
knolienberg. In the fall Mrs. Smith
and the older daughter removed to
Williamsport where the daughter was
going to teach school In June. 1907,
the household goods were removed to
Muncie and Mrs. Smith and daughter
Hazel returned TO Fountain City.
Mrs. Smith said she first met Mr.