The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-02-19
SENATOR SWEARS !,
ICHARGES ARE FALSE
Gore Says Woman's Action Is
Plot to Destroy Him.
TELLS OF MEETING IN HOTEL
Oklahoma lawmaker Declares Mrs
Bonds $4,000 Damage Suit is
Frameup on Part Of Several
Disappointed Officeseekers.

Oklahoma City, Okla. Feb. IT,
Thomas p. Gore, blind United States
senator, took the witness stand to
face the most strenuous ordeal OF his
3ventful life. His honor and his po-
litical standing was staked on the
impression he should make on the
Jury hearing the trial of Mrs Minnie
Z. Bonds $4,000 damage suit against
him. Mrs. Bond has charged the blind
senator with attempting to crininally
assault her in hotel room in Wash.
ington. The evidence of the prosecu-
ton is in Senator Cores testimony
was relied on by the defense to clear
his name or break down the testi-
mony of his alleged misconduct and
win an acquittal-
"Plot to Destroy Him." Says Senator.
This is a plot to destroy me-" said
the senator as he began his story.
Senator Gore gave his name and
said he was born in Mississippi. He
said he had lived in Oklahoma since
1901. He has been blind since he was
eleven years old. He testified he met
Mrs. Bond at the Skirvin hotel in jan
uary, 1913, and that she said her hus-
band wanted to be collector OF inter
nal revenue. but he told her he was
already committed and could not sup
port him. Mr.. Gore said he did not
suggest that she bring her husbands
application to Washington.
A Blind Senator on Stand.
Gore said his Washington Office was
in the senatorial annex and that he
had three clerks and messenger In
the office.
Did Mrs Bond ever come to your
Office about her husbands applica-
tom"
Yes. About ten days after inaugu
ration. She came in and asked me II
could not consider her husbands
candidacy. ! told her could do moth
ing. Then she said, Then senator,
you can't hold out any hope?' l said.
no."
Did you make any advances to
her. such as holding her hand or
touching her foot?" .'
Most positively not"
when did you next hear from Mrs
Bond?" o"
She called me on the phone a
few days later. She asked me II
could come down to her hotel to see
her. ! told her l could not. z
She called me at my Office at two
O'Clock. She again asked me to come
to her hotel. | suggested that she
come to my Office. She said she was
afraid there would be too great a
crowd at my office.
81 left my office under the guidance
OF Howard Kay about six o'clock, ar.
irving few minutes late"
Mrs. Bond Takes Charge Of Senator.
What happened when you entered
tie lobby of the hotel?"
Mrs. Bond met me in the lobby
and said. 1 will take charge of the
senator. She started towards the ele
vator and asked her where we were
going. She said she would take me
to parlor. After getting on the sec.
ond floor, she said the parlor was
crowded and she would take me to
her room"
She seated me In a rocking chair"
What was the first thing she said
to you?"
She remarked that she was dis.
appointed at her husbands failure to
land the office. told her was sorry
Then | remarked that she might miss
her train, as she told me she was
going on the GAS train. I'd
Il rose to 60 and extended my hand.
She remarked she had decided not to
60. ! sat down. Then she suggested
she might herself become a candidate
for commissioner Of charities and cor.
recnons. Then she suggested | would
have bitter opposition in my race for
the senate.
Then she had a phone call and
talked for some time. When she
came back, she sat down on the bed.
! talked few minutes more.
Il told her would have to be 60.
ing. l rose and extended my hand.
She seized 1t and pulled me toward
the bed. | asked her what it meant.
was off balance and probably was
leaning over Mrs. Bond.
Then | heard some one come in
and asked who it was. The man an.
swered, ~. E. Robertson Mrs. Bond
set up an cutlery and Robertson told
her to stop that squalling. Then he
went to Mrs. Bond and said. What
have you to say about this?' She
said, do not want Bond to know
you were in my room "r
''Then | turned to Robertson and
asked him what this meant.
He mumbled something that he
did not know anything. asked Rob
srtson to take me down and he did"