The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-02-17
PLOT TO DESTROY
me- SAYS SENATOR
Thomas P. Gore, on Witness
Stand, Denies Improper Action
Toward Mrs. Bond.
CROWD HEARS TESTIMONY
Blind Oklahoma Statesman Declares
He Was the Victim of Scheme
to Ruin Him Says Woman
Pulled Him Toward Her.

Oklahoma City, Okla. Feb. IT,
Thomas P. Gore. blind United States
senator, took the witness stand to
face the most strenuous ordeal of his
eventful life. His honor and his pe-
litical standing VAS staked on the
impression he should make on the
jury hearing the trial of Mrs. Minnie
E. Bonds $4,000 damage suit against
him. Mrs. Bond has charged the blind
senator with attempting to criminally
assault her in a 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.
TINS is plot to destroy me. said
the senator as he began his story.
Sitting far out in his chair, his
hands folded firmly across the knob
of his cane. his sightless eyes star
ing straight ahead, his boyish fea-
lures set in a look Of grim determina-
ton, was the picture Senator Gore
presented on the stand to the mass
of humanity that packed the court
room to the limit.
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 moi
suggest that she bring her, husbands
application to Washington
Blind Senator on Stand
Gore said his Washington ofice 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-
tier o.
Yes. About ten days after inaugu-
ration She came in and asked me If
could not consider her husbands
candidacy l told her could do moth
ing. Then she said, Then senator,
ven 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.
Pond? ?"
She called me on the phone a
few day later She asked me If
cculd come hown to her hotel to see
her / toldF her could not
She call@d 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
4 Il left my Office under the guidance
+ Of Howard Kay about six o'clock. ar
wing a few minutes late
irs. Eond ~ <es Charge Of Senator.
What hapl ened when you elrtsFed
Il lUbby of4he hoteI?"
HMrs. Bond met me In the lobby
sua said, 1 will take charge OF the
nator. She started towards he ele-
.ior and asked her where we were
.ng. She said she would take me
parlor After getting on the sec
Jad floor, she said the parIor Was
Z rowded and she would take me to
r ROOM"
She seated me in rocking chair. :
What was the first thing she said
you?'
She remarked that she was dis
oointed at her husbands S failure 10
"a the ONCE. / told her was sorry
fhen i remarked that she might miss
her train, as she told me she was
gong on the 6:45 train.
II rose to go and extended my hand
\ So remarked she had decided not 70
sat down. Then she suggested
migh: herself become a candidate
commissioners of charities and cor
Etions. Then she suggested would
e bitter opposition in my race for
senate.
hen she had phone call and
I'd for some time When she
back. she sat down on the bed.
lked a few minutes more.
Woman Pulled Him Toward Bed.
told her would have to bes go
rose and extended my hand.
A seized it and pulled me toward
he'd. / asked her what it meant
Is of balance and probably was
fv. <,suar Mrn Bond