Evening journal., 1922-09-30
POULIN Wins in
PATERNITY CASE
Court Rules Tiernan Didn't
Prove He Couldn't Have
Been Father
WOMAN IN CASE
FAINTS, CARRIED OUT

SOUTH BEND. Ind. Sept. 80
(United Press Harry Poulin 20.
day was discharged by the court
which heard testimony in his hear
ing on charge OF being the father
OF Mrs. Augusta Tiernan's child.
The court held that the state fail
ed TO prove that Tiernan could not
have been the father OF tho baby.
Tlernan announced he would ap-
peal the decision TO a higher court.
The Judge declared he did, not
want TO question the legitimacy Of
the child. The decision hayed Mrs.
Tiernan and Poulin for their actions
and declared they showed mo re-
finement"
Mrs. Herman tainted whom the
verdict was read and was carried 70
her home. Judge Ducombe declared
tho case has been appealed and
would be heard in the Circuit Court.
The date was not set.
The only innocent party IN the
case Is the baby" Judge Chester
Ducombe declared. The child has
been almost forgotten in the ciamor
and cries Of the public during this
trial.
This case could be considered
from two angles. One IS immortality.
the otherTs Harry Pauiin tho father
OF tho unfortunate ohlld2'
The public looked upon tho care
from an Immoral standpoint
'T'he court has but one duty and
that Is 20 determine whether Harry
Pouiin Is the father OF the child sr-
respective OF the immortality IN
volved. do not believe that Poulin
Is the father and therefore dis
charge the defendant"
The hearing was marked by dram
alto clashes and demonstrations by
the spectators; demonstrations which
became so tumultuous that the court
was forced TO exclude the public from
the last sessions.
Twice Mrs. Tiernan from her seat
had branded statements OF the de-
fense as lies" once she hurled
her handbag at Poulln.
Prof. Tiernan tossed the bomb into
South Bend society several weeks
ago when he swore out a warrant
charging that Poulin was the father
OF Mrs. Tiernan's ten months old
baby.
Poulin denied the charges.
When the hearing was called,
scores OF men, women and children
stormed the courtroom in an effort
10 hear the case. Many were turn
ed away.
Mrs. Tiernan was the States star
witness. The story she told from
the stand. was the old. old tale OF a
wife succumbing 10 the blandish-
ments Of a dapper young man while
her husband was engrossed. in his
work. Briefly the story. as told by
Mrs. Tiernan, was as follows:
The Tlernans met Poulln at n
dance. Tlernan was busy writing a
book. Poulin made desperate love
to Mrs. Tiernan. She finally yielded
to his demands and upon his sugges-
ton, refrained from living with her
husband as a wife.
Several weeks elapsed and Mrs.
Tlernan realized she was in a deli
cate condition. She returned 10 her
husband, who never had any sus-
piolons that the child, which was
born later, was not his own.
The months drifted by and Pou. I
in's love turned cold. One day no
snubbed Mrs. Tiernan In public.
Mrs. Tiernan confessed TO her hus-
oand.
Prof. Tiernan on the stand sub
;tantiated his wife's story and told
II his efforts 10 settle the matter out
u court. He declared that Poulin
admitted that he was the father OF
he child, but refused to make any
iettlement for its support. Poulin
md Mrs. Poplin denied the charges
n detail. From the stand both
wore that they attended church on
very occasion when Mrs. Tiernan
stated that she was with Poulin.
In rebuttal, the state presented
wo witnesses one OF whom declared
hat Poulin did not attend the
.hurch services; the other told or
eeing Poulin at a concert TO which
he latter said he did not go.
The climax of the trial was reach
"a during the closing arguments
when defense attorneys branded
Mrs. Tlernan as a woman who had
,acrihced the right to the sacred
ialo of motherhood"
When the statement was made
drs Tiernan was leaning over the
A-and smiling. Like
| fash she was on her feet and to-
ward the attorney.
you SIT down. You cit down.
Tou-" she shouted. /,