The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-09
TACCART APPEARS
Former Chairman OF Democrat
National Committee
A Voluntary Witness in the
GingIes Larceny Case
TO CLEAR HIS NAME
Is His Explanation for His
Presence at the Trial.
He Swears He Never Saw the
Girl in His Life.
TO CLEAR HIS NAME

r7.it+ee whose name was mentioned in
the testimony given by Ella Gingles'
the IS year old Irish lace maker, took
the witness stand today in Judge Bren-
tano's court for the purpose of clearing
his name of any connection with the
case.
Mr.. Taggart was completely exoner-
ated by a formal statement made by
Attorney P H. O'Donnell, counsel for
the CsfngIes girl. and also by his own
testimony.
Miss Gingles stated while a witness
that on the night of the first alleged
attack on her she heard the name OF
Taggart mentioned Later she @ SaIu
she had never seen Mr. TaggaFt' tndI
he had never written to her nor had
he harmed her in any way She did
declare, however, that her assallants
had tried to force her TO go to FrenGn C,a
Lick Springs where she would nave
''pIenty of money, fine dresses and
nothing to do
Mr.. Taggart, in a recent interview
0iscIaimed all knowledge of Miss Gin
giles, but admitted a business acquaint-
ance with Miss Agnes Barrette, accuser
of Miss Gingles, at a time when MISS
Barrette conducted a curio stand at
French Lick.
Mr.. Taggart was an early caller at
the office of States Attorney Wayman.
Yesterday his attorney. John w. Kern
who was a candidate for vice president
the way for Mr.. Taggart
Examination Is Brief.
The Interrogation of the witness as
to Miss Gingles was exceedingly brief.
DO you know Miss GlngIes asked
Attorney Short.
I do not" answer Mr.. Taggart with
emphasis.
detail of his light suit. his low shoes,
and the diamond which sparkled on
his cravat.
Did you ever hear of Miss Gingles
before this case?" continued Mr.. Short.
'Only some months ago when some
body brought me paper containing
the name of Miss Gingles and Miss
you were not subpoenaed here by
the state, were you"
7 was not subpoenaed by anybody.
I heard that my name was being used
and as a man of family came to clear
my name of any shadow which might
have been thrown over it
Al this point Attorney O'Donnell
repeated with emphasis his state
ment, declaring that there was not
scintilla of evidence in his possession
nor in that of his client justifying the
use of Mr.. Taggart's name He de-
clared it had been brought into the
case by the prosecution.
You don't know me, Mr.. Taggart,
do you ?" Mr.. O'DonneH asked.
81 do not"
Gives Ills RECORD
AS a preliminary to his testimony
on the point, which brought him into
court, Mr.. Taggart stated that he had
lived in Indiana for 35 years and that
he was married and had been in the
hotel business at French Lick Springs
for great many years.
Il have been mayor of Indianapolis,
chairman of the national Democratic
committee, and president of street
railway company" the witness con-
tinued.
DO you know Miss Barrette, the
complainant in this case ?"
Yes"
How did you get acquainted?"
"She worked as a manicure for a
man by the name of Gibson, at
French Lick. He sold out to her and
I, of course, rerented to her. the
apartments in one of my hotels"
Did you ever hear anything
against her character" This question
started a wrangle between the attor-
neys, in the midst of which Attorney
O'DonnelI, addressing both the court
and Mr.. Taggart, made a formal state
ment exonerating Mr.. Taggart in ev-
cry particular. saying:
II want it distinctly understood
that Mr.. Taggart's name was brought
into this case over my protest. We
have proof that Miss Gingles was
never acquainted with Mr.. Taggart
and his name was mentioned only in
directly to her. It might have been
any one of ten thousand names of
wealthy men, but it happened to be
MIR. Taggart, and in this particular,
Mr.. Taggart is unfortunate"
And I don't know you either" said
the defense's lawyer.
"Oh, you are too busy trying to
clear your own skirts" said Mr.. Short,
glancing sharply at Mr.. O'Donnell.
DO you know of any branch of
the white slave clique that has it's
headquarters at French Lick?" asked
Mr.. Short.
Asks for Definition.
What is a white slave' Mr.. Tag
gart inquired with a perpIexed look.
The definition was given by Mr.. Short,
and then Mr.. Taggart replied: No.
sir. I never knew of any such thing"
Mr.. ODonnen again took the wit
ness.
'Mr. Taggart, who first injected your
name in this case2"
II don't know"
Mr.. Short again interrupted accus-
ing Mr. O'Donnell of having given out
statements to the papers using Mr.
Taggart's name.
Il did not" replied Mr.. O'Donneu,
hotly. II am not an assassin .
DR.. H w. Watson, house physician
of the Wellington hotel, was then
called to the stand.
DR.. Watson was called to the Well
ington hotel bath room when Miss
Gingles was found there.
t'The door had already been opened
when I reached it, said the physician,
''and saw the girl lying ON the floor
Her knees were tied to the bath tub
also to a leg OF the tub. Her legs were