Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-26
BERT BOWER, ON
WITNESS STAND,
MAKES DENIALS


Contradicsing all OF the material
testimony against him regarding his
relations with Victoria Mortensen.
George Albert tBertl Bower took the
stand In the United States district
court this morning. and at the close
OF the session was still telling his
story under direct examination by his
attorneys. e. A. Douthitt and L. N.
Siraus.
posed an objection to Bowers testify
ing In his own behalf on the ground
that under the rules OF the court wit
nesses should not be present In the
court room while other witnesses are
testifying, whereas Bower, OF course.
has heard all of the testimony. Judge
Clemens, however, oyerruled the OBJ
lection
The defendant admitted that he had
kissed the Mortensen girl on rumer-
Gus occasions, in the presence of her
family and otherwise. He testified
further that he has kissed every f.
male member in the Mortensen and
Evans families
He denied the story Of the Morten-
sen girl regarding her alleged illicit
relations with him shortly after ne
had met her. He stated that she had
phoned him on that first occasion,
telling him that she had had a quar-
rel with her sister. Mrs Evans, and
wished him to take her to her fathers
home in Manoa valley. On arriving at
the M0rtensen home, however, no one
seemed to be there, and at the girls
suggestion he drove out Waikiki way.
She complained Of illness, and he sug.
gested brandy and peppermint. but
she preferred gin. and he got it for
her at the Waikiki Inn. Later she
took another drink at the Seaside
hotel The girl then asked him to
get her a room at one of the hotels.
as she did not wish to 90 home. but
tic told her it would not be probable that
she would be allowed a room alone.
She told him she could get one at the
Hawaiian hotel. but she changed her
mind about wanting q room before
they got there and at his suggestion
they went to the Bfart girls home,
WuClC- 04C OApCCICQ " 0UCn4 tnC
night, but apparently no one was at
home there either, so finally leaving
the machine at Spencer and Kapiolani
streets she started for Mrs. Evans
home, saying she would slip in the
back way and stay with the Japanese
woman, and that things would be all
right with her sister in the morning.
He waited to see If she got in all
right, and as she did not return, he
went back down town.
At the opening of the session this
morning. ]. A. Rath was allowed to
take the stand for the prosecution, but
under ruling of the court he was not
permitted to testify to Bowers reputa-
ton, and he was consequently excused
without having told anything.
After ruling on the admission Of
Rath's testimony fthe jury having
been sent cut while the matter was
argued at length by the attorneys)
Judge Clemens struck out also the tes-
timony Of G. ]. Mccarthy. who yes
terday afternoon testified for the de-
PENDANT regarding his general repu-
tation.
Yesterday afternoon subpoenas
were issued for some dozen or more
prominent business men and ladies,
who District Attorney McCarn believ-
ed would be able to testify to the
character of Bower in manner favor
able to the prosecution. All of these
witnesses were allowed to go, how
ever. following the courts ruling on
the testimony of Mr.. Rath. District
Attorney Mccain stated that some Of
them may be later introduced
The witnesses summoned by. the
prosecution for the purpose of testify
ing as to Bowers reputation are Mrs.
F. E. Steere, Mrs Biart, Mr.. Patten,
Mrs. Wilcox. Miss Monroe. Spencer
Bowen. James A. Rath, Paul Super,
Miss Pope, C. J. Day. William Thomp-
son, VIM. Soper, Bishop Restarick, e.
r. Stackable, r. G. Stackable, r. W.
Breckons, Paul r. Isenberg, Emil
Berndt, A. Pratt.
-. ~