The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-08
IRISH GIRLS WIT
EQUALS LAWYERS
Ella GingIes Is GriIIed All Day
In Chicago Court
BATHROOM SCENE RETOLD
Girl Testifies to Events Occurring at
Wellington Hotel and Breaks
Down as She Tells the
Shameful Story.
BATHROOM SCENE RETOLD

Chicago. July ELLA Gingles, the 49,
year-old Irish lacemaker, was on the wit
ness stand in Judge Brentano's court
room all today, matching her wit and
her innocent face against the sharpness
or the lawyers who were trying to con-
found her.
All afternoon the girl was cross-exam-
med by Assistant States Attorney B. 7.
Short on the story she related in the
morning of how she was attacked by two
women and man In the bath room of
the Wellington hotel February 16. This
story was similar in many details to the
one she gave last Friday concerning an
other attack upon her January In room
In the same hotel Miss Agnes Barrette.
the late Mrs. Cecilia Kenyon and
masked man. figured as the assailants
in both cases.
Beyond few fearful and trembling
moments when some climax in the dread
full tale of degeneracy was reached, the
girl did not hesitate in her answers
She told of the most impossible situa-
lions, apparently. with candor and an en-
gaging frankness. The case probably
will reach the jury by Friday
The court room was cleared of all but
those having direct interest In the case
by the order of the Judge The main
points in the original story were gone
over again by Mr.. Short In his cross
examination.
Shorts Questions.
ION February 16 then" he asked, you
went to the Wellington hotel again of
your own free will, having said nothing
about the attack upon you in the hotel
a month before?''
Yes, SIR
AT that time Miss Barrette knew that
P. II. O'Donnell was your lawyer and
that all these club women were your
friends?'
Eyes, sir"
"And she knew that you could have
curred?'
Yes, SIR"
did you tell anyone up to that time
that these women had tried to sell you
into white slavery"
No, sir
Her story of the attack that followed
was peculiarly similar to the narrative
of her experience in the hotel a few
weeks before.
She went to sleep on Knockout drops
she said. When she awoke the man was
cutting her.
isn't it fact" asked the states at
torney, that this stuff was put into your
mouth or that you got 1t out of books?'
mo, sir, never heard of these awful
things before"
isn't it a fact that you are masque-
rading as an Innocent girl?"
mo, SIR
Women Turned Away.
Scores of women and even school chill
dren were turned away from the court->
room today. Judge Brentano commented
on the crowd of women and girls in
the face of published statements, show
ing much of the testimony in the case is
unfit for publication. He threatened to
photograph every woman present, at
which several of them fled from the place.
The re-cross examination being sus-
pended, the testimony was brought to
February 16 last, when Miss Gingles was
found bound and gagged in q bathroom
that time to have been the victim of
mysterious attack. However, the bath
room was found locked from the inside
and there were many details throwing
doubt on the story.
Answering Mr.. Short. Miss Gingles tes-
titled that on the date mentioned she
visited Attorney O'Donnell in his office,
them visited store and finally went to
the wellington hotel and to room 645.
did you walk upstairs?"
Yes; did not wish to meet Miss Bar
rette."
At this point in the testimony the con-
ference of the lawyers with the court
was held, and 1t was decided to bring out
all possible facts from the witness, even
though they did not bear directly on the
larceny charge.
Arrival From ireland.
This brought the story back to Miss
Gingles' arrived In America from Ire
land
Witness said she came over on ticket
bearing the name Ella Raymond. She
never lived under that name she said
Were you In a hospital at Belleville,
Ont. ?" .afN
Yes, l was taken there by Mrs. Thorn
ton, for whom I worked. Mrs. Thornton
came for me later in Sleigh
why did you visit the wellington hotel
on February 1872"
ITO collect SO cents Miss Arnold owed
me. Her room was 545.''
Did you know Miss Arnold was not
thereY"
Yes SIR 'sF
What happened?'
"A man knocked at the door. He came
in and said: Miss Arnold was expecting
you. She is,in the bathroom. Walk right
IN. When 1 opened the door he pushed
me in.
He put something burning on my face
and / did not remember anything more
came in. l was undressed except for
nightgown. My head hurt in the back |
and when they went out Of the bathroom
1 reached over and picked up my purse.
/ found an envelope and wrote on 1t:
Come quick, Ella l addressed 1t to Miss
Joyce, put stamp on and threw 1t out
of the transom.
When Miss Barrette came in the man
said to her: Why were you late? and |
she said something about cards. The !
man and Miss Barrette talked about me |
and he handed me $50. That was nearly |
2 o'clock In the morning. Miss Barrette |
was under the influence of liquor. l don't |
know who the other woman was
Witness Breaks Down.
At this point in her story Miss Gingles |
nearly broke down and tears streamed |
down her cheeks. After regaining her |
composure she continued In tone scarce |