Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-10-12
RIPLEY LETTERS
BREATH OF LOVE
Woman Accused of $4,000
Bond Fraud Says She Was
to Marry Prosecutor
SAYS GIVER WAS
IN SOUND MIND

In Court of General Sessions today
before Chief Justice Pennewlll and
Judge Henry T.. Conrad, trial Of the
case of Mrs. Madeline W. Curtin was
resumed. Mrs. Curtin is charged with
misapplying bonds and stocks valued at
$4,000 from Edward l. Ripley.
Harry Emmons, an attorney, was the
FIRST witness called in the case today.
Mr.. Emmons said that shortly before
January p, 1914 Ripley called at his
Office and visited him frequently there
after.
When Attorney General Wolcott ask
cd Mr. EmmOns what opinion he had
formed of Ripley's mental capacity L..
Irving Handy, counsel for Mrs. Curtin,
objected and was sustained. Mr.. En-
mons then left the stand.
Patrolman Frank Massey testified
that he saw Ripley and the prisoner
on February at Second and Jackson
streets and that when Ripley approach
ed him, Mrs. Curtin started TO run
away.
BY the time Ripley explained what
was the matter Mrs. Curtin was out Of
sight. the officer said
James A. Mealey gave couoborative
| testimony as to the couple whom he
believed were Ripley and the prisoner
at Second and jackson streets.
Ripley upon being recalled said he
wore mustache on February 4. He
was cross-cNamined at length as to
when he grew and when he discarded
his mustache.
James A. Mealey was recalled and
said he remembered seeing the officer
at Second and Jackson streets and
saw the woman run down Jackson
street to Lancaster avenue.
The State then rested Mr. Handy
opened the defense by asking the
court TO give binding instructions in
the case He claimed that venue
had not been proven, that Ripley had
given his client power OF attorney
over his securities and that when he
asked her for them she refused 10
turn them over to him.
Mr.. Handy said II any illegal act
had been done IL was not committed
in Delaware, but IN Philadelphia
Mr.. Handy said that n Mrs. Curtin
could be prosecuted on the charge
she could he prosecuted in every
State where she refused TO give NJ
the securities to Ripley. He insist
cd that the State had not made out
case against his client and asked
for verdict OF not guilty.
Attorney General WOlcott replied
that MIR. Handy was in error in hiI
contention. Mr. Wolcutt said the ties
timony in the case showed that Mrs
Curtin said to Ripley while in Phila
delphla. "Ill take care Of them 70
you" "If that be true" Mr.. Wolcot
said. then there was no embezzle
mont in Philadelphia"
Mr.. Handy asked to have this test
= mony read and Court Stenograph'
10 Hardesty secured his notes.
p Examination of the notes showed ii
I, language TO be I'm take care Of them
= Chief Justice Pennewill then sul
T. gested that the defense proceed an
raise the question when the prayer
are presented.
Mr. Handy then said that the pris
oner and Ripley had been close friend
for eleven years, and that in the sprin
Of 1913 the couple engaged TO marry
Mr.. Handy added that he defens
e would endeavor to show that Mrs. Cur
E tin was TO receive $1,000 of the bond
] and securities and that while sh
T was here with him he attacked he
e and choked her in trying TO recove
= letters and papers referring to som
9 trouble Ripley is alleged to have hat
Mr.. Handy added that his client ha