The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-17
Takes the Stand i'm Own
Defense in Big Dam
age Suit
SAYS HE'S VICTIM OF
POLITICAL ENEMIES
Blind Senator Denounees Allegations
Against Him and Undergocs
Searching Cross Examination
Without Falter

Oklahoma City. OKLA, February lb--De-
nouncing the allegation as an Infamous
lie'' United States Senator T. Il. Gore
from the witness stand in district court
here today declared that charges of inn
proper conduct. the basis OF the $4,000
damage suit on trial, are the invention OF
a coterie of disappointed office seekers,
intended to bring him into dsrepute and
wreck his chances for denomination at
the primaries in Oklahoma next August
Mrs. Minnie t. Bond plaintiff to the
suit alleges that Senator Gore attacked
her at a Washington hotel March "a.
last.
II knew that they had framed up on
me-" Senator Gore told the jury. 81
told DR.. carp when he called at my
office the day following the occur
| renee that l would see them In - before
would make terms with them. AT no
time, either in my office or In the hotel
did ! ever offer Mrs. Bond any improprie-
| ties or attempt to take the advantage
of her.
| DIR. ]. H. carp of Oklahoma City was
an important witness for the plaintiff.
Long on Stand
Senator Gore was on the witness stand
| the greater part Of the day. When he
concluded several witnesses we're called
to corroborate previous testimony for the
defense and before court adjourned at
torneys for Senator Gore announced their
case completed After several witnesses
will begin with the prospects of the case
being given to the jury before court adj
iourns Wednesday.
Senator Gore was willing witness and
seemed unperturbed uncer a gruelling
| cross-examination, making quick answer
and in the lighter moments retorting to
the uups of opposing counsel with as
good as was given, to the merriment OF
| the crowded courtroom.
| Mrs. Gore. who has taken an active
part in all the political affairs of her
husband. sat with the counsel for the sen-
ator and from time TO time whispered
suggestions. On the other side of the ta-
Bile Mrs. Bond sat with her attorneys and
her husband.
| Attorneys for Mrs. Bond sought to open
the way for the Introduction of evidence
| dealing with the life OF Senatore Gore
previous to the alleged episode IN Wash-
ington By ae'sins the question: DO You
know blind girl in Corsicana. rex? %
Senator Gore did not answer. however
under instructions of Presiding Judge
Clark, who ruled before the trial started
that only testimony dealing generally
with the reputation of the parties to the
suit would be admitted Exceptions were
taken by Mrs. Bonds attorneys.
Next in interest today to the testimony
of Senator Gore was the appearance OF
AL j. jennings, former outlaw, but now
a candidate for nomination for governor.
as a witness Jennings was summoned
as a witness for the plaintiff and con-
tradicted testimony given by Mitchell
Bonner. banker of this city. 1t was
not true, Jennings testified. that Jacobs
had stated In conversation with Bonner
and himself that for $4,000 he would
"eall off the charges against Gore.
Jennings admitted that Jacobs man
aged his campaign for county attorney.
Mrs. Bond was recalled just before
court adjourned and asserted that after
the alleged incident at the hotel Senator
Gore called her on the telephone twice.
but sbe refused to talk with him.
'The second time" Mrs Bond testi
fed, ''he asked me to come to his office
and I hung up the receiver
Tells of Acquaintance
| Answering questions the senator told
| OF his acquaintance with Fitzpatrick. ia
cobs and Robertson.
| lie said Fitzpatrick wanted to be ap-
/ pointed assistant attorney general for the
! interior department. that Robertson was
seeking the selection Of reorganizers for
| the post of secretary Of the interior
and that Jacobs wanted somebody ap-
pointed marshal for the eastern district
of Oklahoma.
This ended the direct examinat tion and
attorneys for Mrs Bond at once took
up the cross examination. In reply to a
question when he first told anybody that
Mrs. Bond had pulled hin, over the bed
with her. Senator Gore said:
Probably the first time talked about
it,
Mr.. Gore then detailed the effort OF
politicians In the alleged conspiracy
against him to get appointments He
did not remember having talked with
man named Graves Leeper about the
appointment of Bond but was certain
he never gave anyone any encourage
ment
lie said he might have told DR.. Earp
he would recommend Julian Bond for
clerkship.
when Mrs. Bond pulled you over on
the bed. did you make an outcry?' he
was asked.
NO." defendant replied
"You knew It was a conspiracy
II did: at least / thought II was a
conspiracy"
When ala you first think it was a
conspiracy"
when Mrs Bond grabbed my hands,
sell back on the bed, and began to
scream, defendant replied.
"Did you ever file complaint against
any of these parties answer yes or no.
IT cannot answer yes or no. defendant
replied. II believed it was blackmafl'
.sDld not you, when the summons was
|