Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-18
MRS. CLEVELAND
DENIES SIGNATURE
Dressed in Deep Mourning, Mrs.
Frances Cleveland Takes Wit
ness Stand to Swear Against
Broughton Brandenburg.

NEW YORK, June l6.-Mrs. Frances
Folsom Cleveland appeared in public for
the first time since her husbands death
when she testified for the prosecution in
the case of BroughTon Brandenburg.
magazine writer, who is charged with
selling the New York Times a politica,
article purporting to have been writer
by former President Grover Cleveland.
Mrs. Cleveland was dressed In deep
mourning but was self-possessed. though
pale, while on the stand. She declared
emphatically that the signature to the ar
ticle in question was not that of her hus-
band. Also she pointed out the differ
ences between the signature and the gen.
uine Cleveland signature as it appeared
on several checks which were handed to
her.
DESCRIBES HANDWRITING.
The former president wrote with
very unsteady hand during the later years
OF his life, the witness said. whereas. the
name signed to the Brandenburg article
was written in a comparatively bold. leg.
ible hand. more like that of Mr.. Cleve~
iond during his younger days in the
white house. -,
When Mrs Cleveland entered the court
room Justice Fitzgerald. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Mott and the other court
officials arose and bowed low as a mara
OF respect.
A large crowd gathered TO hear the tes--
timony of the former --rst lady of the
land"
Mrs Cleveland told about meeting John
G. Carlisle and f. s. Hastings, an execiI-
tor Of her husbands estate. in this city,
and discussing the article, which appear
! ed in the New York Times, August 30
$685. over Mr.. Cleveland's signature
did YOU hear Mr.. Hastings say that
the signature was genuine?' asked Sam
mel Bell Thomas, counsel for the Defend
ant. -.> --.
PRODUCED THE TELEoRAM..
No answered Mrs. Cleveland II
didn't hear him say one way or the 9TH
er at the time"
Did you authorize him to say it was
genuine?" asked the lawyer
No, did not said the witness
did you send a telegram to the New
York Times in regard to this articIe?,'
The witness said she did, and she FRO
duced the telegram.
Mrs. Cleveland said she authorized Mr.
Hastings to write the Times and say
that they questioned the authenticity OF
the signature to the article. Mrs. Cleve-
land said she had received a letter, and
only one from Mr. Brandenburz. in re-
gard to the article. early in August. 1903.
She could not remember of ever talking
with the defendant over the telephone in
regard to the matter.
READ STORY CAREFULLY
Did you read the statement itself when
It appeared In the T1mes?" asked Mr..
Thomas.
"Oh. yes; read 1t very carefully"
Mrs Cleveland replied.
Mr.. Mott related the incidents leading
up to the publication Of the letter He
said the state would show that Branden@
burg waited until Mr.. Cleveland died be-
fore he attempted to sell the article pJr-
porting to have been signed by Mr.. Cleve-
land.
on redirect examination Mr.. Mott ask
ed the witness II she had authorized Mr..
Hastings to write the New York Times,
and say that the signature on the dis
puted article was genuine. She said she
had not.
Mrs Cleveland was then excused.
WHAT HE TOLD EDITOR.
c. NJ. Lincoln, Sunday editor of the
New York Times, testified that he had
received the ''Grover Cleveland article
from Brandenburg about a week before
| Il was published, August 80, 1908. Bran
denburg had seen him, and talked with
him about the article few days before
that Brandenburg the witness said told
him II was one of three Mr.. Cleveland
had promised to write in the year bearing
upon the campaign. but that sickness had
prevented Mr.. Cleveland from writing
more than the one article.
Court adjourned until Thursday morn
ing.