Evening star., 1909-07-09
Miss GingIes' Counsel Denies
Accusing Politician.
WITNESS AT TRIAL TODAY
Former Democratic Chairman Does
Not Even Know Girl.
ASKS WHAT WHITE SLAVE" Is
Appeared at Trial Without Subpoena
in Order to Clear Skirts as
Good Family Man.

CHICAGO. July 9.-ThomaS Taggart Of
French Lick Springs, Ind. former men,
Der of the democratic national committee.
whose name was mentioned in testimony
given by Ella Gingles, the eighteen-year-
old Irish lace maker, took the witness
stand today in Judge Brentanos court for
the purpose of clearing his name of any
connection with the case.
As a preliminary to his testimony on
the point which brought him into court
Mr.. Taggart stated he had lived In In
diana for thirty-five years, that he was
married and had been in the hotel busi-
ness at French Lick Springs for a great
many years.
Il have been mayor OF indianapolis,
chairman of the democratic national COM
mittee and president of street railway
company" the witness continued.
Taggart Knows Miss Barrette.
do you know Miss Barrette, the COM
plainant in this case?"
Yes
How did you get acquainted?
''She worked as manicure for man
of the name of Gibson at French Lick.
He sold out to her. l, of course. re-rented
to her the apartments in one of my no.
tells.
did YOU ever hear anything against
her character?'
This question started wrangle be-
tween the attorneys, in the midst of which
Attorney O'Donnell. addressing both the
court and Mr.. Taggart, made formal
statement eXoneratng Mr.. Taggart in
every particular, saying:
Il want it distinctly understood that
Mr.. Taggart's name was brought into
this case over my protest. We have PROOF
,rrIe 1oA,Ir tod
with Mr.. Taggart and his name was men
toned only indirectly to her.
1T might have been any one of 10000
names of wealthy men, but it happened
to be Taggart In this particular Mr..
Taggart is unfortunate.
The Interrogation of the witness as to
Miss Gingles was exceedingly brief.
DO you know Miss Gingles?" asked
Attorney Short.
Il do not" answered Mr.. Taggart with
emphasis.
Miss Gingles Watches Taggart.
Miss Gingles' eyes were glued on the
witness as he spoke. She took In every
detail Of his light suit, his low shoes and
the diamond which sparkled in his era
vat.
did you ever hear of Miss Gingles
before this case?' continued Mr.. Short.
only some months ago, when some
body brought me a newspaper containing
the names of Miss Gingles and Miss Bar
rette.
You were not subpoenaed here by the
state, were you?
Il was not subpoenaed by anybody.
heard that my name was being used, and,
"a man Of family, came to clear my
name Of any shadow which might have
been thrown over 1t.
AT tn s point Attorney O'DonneH repeat
ed with emphasis his statement declaring 6
that there was not a scintilla of evidence
in his possession nor in that OF his client
iustifying the use Of Mr.. Taggarts name.
He declared it had been brought into the
case by the prosecution.
You don't know me, Mr.. Taggart, do
you?' Mr.. O'Donnell asked.
Il do not
And / don't know you,' echoed the de-
fense lawyer.
'Oh, you are too busy trying to clear
your own skirts" said Mr. Short, glancng
sharply at the rival attorney.
Asks What Is "White Slave"
do you know of any branch Of the
white slave clique that has it's head
quarters at French Lick?" asked Mr..
Short of the witness.
What is white slaye'?' Mr.. Taggart
inquired, with "a perplexed look.
The definition was given by Mr.. Short.
Then Mr.. Taggart replied:
NO, sir, l never heard of any such
thing
Mr. O'Donnell again took the witness.
Mr.. Taggart, who first injected your
name into this case2'
Il don't know
Mr.. Short again interrupted, accusing
Mr.. ODonnell of having given out state
ments to the papers, using Taggart' S
name.
Il did not" replied Mr. O'Donnell, hot
ly. Il am not an assa assin."
DR.. H. A. Watson. house physician of
the Wellington Hotel, was then called to
th. stand