The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-02-09
Federal Grand Inquisitors Inves-
tigating Charge Of Attempted
Violation OF Wonnan's Honor
MRS. MERLEMAN TESTIFIES
BEFORE FEDERAL BODY
Many Implicated Said To Be
Running to Cover, But Inquisi-
tors Have Story

Mrs. Viva Tarter, wife Of G. II. Tar.
ter, a private in the First Field Ar.
tillery, stationed in Schofeld Barracks
was for more than an hour on the wit.
ness stand before the federal grand iury
yesterday morning to testify in the
matter Of the charges made that while
out with number of people in auto
mobile No. 1921 last Thursday night
she was brutally assaulted by at least
one of her male companions and had
to fight TO save her honor. The story
of the brutal assault was first given
to the public in The Advertiser Satur.
day morning, despite all efforts to keep
it quiet.
Woman's Identity Established
Mrs. Tarter has been referred to
heretofore as Mrs. Merleman, it being
admitted that this was not the won,
an s real name. Because of her nerv.
Gus breakdown the wOInan's name was
withheld by Marshal Smiddy, who dis.
covered her whereabouts after the city
police had given the search UP as a
complete failure. The police learned
the woman 5 correct name only late
yesterday from A. Edward Murphy,
clerk of the federal court, who had
been sworn to absolute secrecy, bur
they are still in ignorance as. to her
residence.
Mrs. Tarter Before Jury
The federal grand jury was in session
from ten to one clock yesterday, and
in addition to Mrs. Tarter there were
called as witnesses. Mrs. NJ. E. Bristol,
and Mrs. L. ROmagoy, WHO. went to the
unfortunate woman 5 assistance when
she sought protection at Hustace Villa
from her assailants; Leafider Beekley,
who drove Mrs. Tarter when she es-
capped from her assailants; Henry Hus.
tace and Bob Graham, as well as G.
Carlson.
The investigation of the case will be
continued at haif-past nine o'clock this
morning, TO which time the grand jury
adjourned yesterday afternoon. Many
other witnesses will be summoned to-
day.
Sessions to Last Two Weeks
The district attorney informed the
federal court yesterday that it would
take the grand jury about, two weeks
to complet thei work now on hand,
which Includes statutory, liquor and
opium cases. Three members Of the
grand jury were sworn in yesterday,
they having been absent when the jury
was first convened. These members are
Henry F. Aylett, James D. Dougherty
and Willard +. Brown. Dougherty, be-
cause of his many activities as director
general Of the Mid.Pacifc Carnival, was
excused yesterday for the term, the
present jury going out existence prob
baly next week, when the grand jurors
for the April term of the federal court
will likely be selected.
Tho Grand Jurors
There were fifteen grand jurors in
session yesterday, these being as fol
lows: c. @. Boekus (foreman), Clinton
w. Crandall (secretary), James VIII.
liams, James c. Crane, Willard F.
Brown, Harry AImitage, Henry F.
Aylett, Max w. Bergau, John F. Col,
burn, Benjamin Dole. Norman Meek,
John A. Noble, James r. Pierce, Albert
Blom and A. F. Robinson.
1t is understood that a number Of
those alleged to have been implicated
in the disgraceful orgy that resulted
in the assault on a defenseless woman
have made every effort to run TO cover
but that the federal authorities have
no wat band much Of the inside history
of the case.