Evening star., 1915-04-13
DEFENDANT KINNEY
APPEARS IN COURT
Michigan Mine Owner Hears
Testimony in His Behalf
in $780, 900 Suit.
MRS. JENNIE M. EACHERN
FIRST WITNESS CALLED
Tells of Finding J. C. McMillen in
Room of Plaintiff at a Hotel
EARLY One Morning.

Testimony. tending to show intimacy
between J. C. McMillen and Mrs Ida NJ.
McNabb. plaintiff in the five-hundred-
thousand dollar damage suit for al
legged breach of contract to marry,
which is being tried before Justice
Stafford and jury in Circuit Division
was offered today by counsel for John
S. Kinney, the defendant, who is re-
puted a millionaire Michigan mine
owner.
The defendant appeared in court to-
day for the first time.
The first witness for the defense was
Mrs. Jennie NJ. Eachern, a solicitor
for subscriptions to the Orphans and
Rescue Home of Green Bay, Wis. She
was previously employed by the Good
VIII farm for which the plaintiff
Mrs. McNahb, she testified. at two or
three hotels when stopping over on
railroad trips. On one occasion.
though she could not give the date,
and J. C. McMillen. who was mentioned
yesterday as attentive to the plaintiff.
stopped at the Same hotel.
AS the witness was catching an early
train. she went the next morning to the
room OF Mrs. McNab and there found
Mr.. McMillen sitting in rocking chair
while Mrs. McNabb was completing her
toilet before the dressing mirror. The
witness declared she was surprised and
hastily backed" out of the room.
On cross-examination witness said
she has been twice married, but lived
only two days with her second hus-
band. She declared she had always
been friendly with Mrs. McNabb and
that the alleged occurrence at the
hotel did not disturb their friendship.
Met Through Mrs. Prosser.
Mrs. Eva L. Prosser of Gaastra, Mich.
formerly part of the town of Palatka
testified that she introduced the plain
tiff to the defendant May II, 1912. when
the plaintiff sought to solicit a con-
tribution from him for Good viii
farm. She said Mr.. Kinney was work
ing in the front yard of his home when
she and the plaintiff were passing, and
that the Introduction took place at the
garden gate.
Mrs. McNabb told her she would fol-
tow in about five minutes as the wit
ness proceeded to church meeting.
Witness said the plaintiff did not Join
her. so she called for her at Mr.. Kin
ney's house about 10 o'clock pm.
The next day Mr.. Kinney called at
her home to see Mrs. McNabb. On that
OCCASION the plaintiff received MIN in a
.forid kimono." but was otherwise
fully clothed, said the witness.
Mr.. Kinney visited Mrs. McNabb fire.
quently while the plaintiff remained at
her house. according to the witness.
Mrs. McNabb had told her of her
friendship, she said, for ]. c. McMillen.
and that when he secured divorce
they might marry.
AS the attentions Of Mr.. Kinney pro-
gressed, witness said. she inquired OF
the plaintiff concerning McMillen.
She said the plaintiff told her that
McMillen could not get divorce. so
she was going to marry Mr.. Kinney.
The plaintiff displayed a diamond en-
gagement ring, witness declared. and
also showed her money given by the
defendant for the purchase of trous-
seau.
Witness said Mrs. McNabb some
weeks later wrote to her inauiring OF
the whereabouts Of Mr. Kinney. She
told the writer that he had announced
his Intention Of going to Maine. and
also wrote, she said, that she would
oppose the marriage if it were her
father"