The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-16
Mrs. Hirsch Tells Sordid Story
in BIackmail Case.
Saw Man at Window; Another
Peeping Thru Door Slot.
AND THEN SHE STAMPEDED!
Tells Identical Story of Cook,
Convicted AccompIice.
Admits Negotiations Over Sum
Mayor Must Pay Her.

Atlanta, Ga, March 16.-The trial
of Mrs. Margaret A. Hirsch. accused
of blackmail of Asa G. Gambler,
mayor of Atlanta, was resumed here
today with indications that the case
woul- be given to the jury before
night. The defense, after it had rest
ed its case yesterday, announced that
it would probably summon several
more witnesses in rebuttal- The
prosecution likewise said the state
would call additional witnesses. The
state, which rested its case Thursday.
had recalled Mayor Gambler and an
other witness in rebuttal yesterday
when court was adjourned.
The hearing of motion of ]. w.
Cook, alleged accomplice of the de-
fendant for a new trial, was set for
today.
Met Mayor at Red Cross Rafffe.
A verbatim transcript of what pur-
ported to be the testimony given be-
hind closed doors by Mrs. Margaret
A Hirsch yesterday was made pub
lie today. The alleged transcript de-
scribes in detail the circumstances
leading up to Mrs. Hirsch's acquaint-
ance with Mayor Gambler; of her
visits to his office, and of their al
.eged improper relations in Mr..
Gamblers private office on February
1t was on that date that j. w.
Cook, alleged accomplice of Mrs.
Hirsch swore he had seen Mrs. Hirsch
and the mayor "in a compromising,
position" in the mayors office. Mrs
H'rsch began her statement with de-
tails of ne meetings with Mr.. Gambler
in connection with the rattle of an
automobile for the benefit of the
Red Cross.
After reciting details of the visit
to Mr.. Gamblers office and the secur-
ing of his approval of the scheme.
Mrs. Hirsch's statement went into the
details of her acquaintance with J.
W. Cook. Continuing. the statement
described incidents leading up to the
alleged occurrences in Mayor Cam
dler's private Office on February g.
ITO the best of my recollection"
the statemen said, 'I met Mr. Can
dler Forsythe street on Tuesday.
February 5. He walked up and shook
hands with me, patted me on the
shoulder nd asked me about a fever
blister on my lip.
Called at Office Next Day.
I'VE talked about that and he then
asked, When are you coming up to
see me again. / replied, 1 don't
know. Mr.. Gambler. Mr.. Hirsch is in
town today
Mr.. Hirsch left town the next
morning, and at a O'Clock that after
noon I went to Mr.. Gamblers office.
He met me at the door. put his arm
around me rractica lily before the door
was closed and finally locked the door.
One demonstration followed another
until ] finally consented to do what
MIR Gambler wanted me to do.
he windows had double shades on
them. and the shades were about a
foot from the bottom of each sash.
When L saw a man looking thru the
window at us it frightened me SO
started to run out of the door. MIR.
CaLdler said, Don't do that, just hide
your face I turned around and sa ~
the man again, and threw discreticn
to the winds. I became SO alarmed.
AS l opened the door MIR. Cook raised
himself up and said. There's some one
at the door. too
Il threw up my hands and dropped
what / had in my arms. He made n
grab for them, and so did J. He got
them and put them in his pocket. and
made some remark have forgotten
just how it was='our honora bic
mayor. and then walked out and
slammed the door shut
Mayor Wrings His Hands.
Mr.. Gambler began wringing his
hands and said. We are just caught:
we Will have to confess it; it means
ruination.'
Her statement described her con-
! ferences with Forrest Adair, who told
her, she said. that Mr. Gambler had
made complete confession to him
and that he was working in Gamblers
Interests In these conferences. the
statement says. he inquired cnucern-
ing her husbands salary anC other
matters pertaining to his income. after
which he remarked:
We'll, if we were to provide for Won
with an amount equivalent to Mr..
Hirscn's salary and give Iru this
much would you be willing TO leave
here Che even suggested Denver as the
place to which 1 should eo)-and
leave a note to your husband suggest
ing to him that you are tired of him
or something like that %"
Mrs Hirsch declined to accent the
proposal. according to the statement
1t was alleged that Mrs Hirsch war
told in subsequent conferences with
the Adairs that the best thing cor,1d
do would be to go away; that n I
stayed here longer, Cook would ex
pose Mr. Gambler: that Mr. Gambler
meant SO much to the city of Atlanta
and to everybody else and to his fam
lily. while it seemed / did not matter
very much to anybody-only to NV
husband
EAun All lIFN- naT--sx