Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-20
ENRAGED MOTHER
RESENTS ATTACK
Mrs. Tiernan, insCourt, FierceIy
Defends Her Boys
Parentage
P0UllM CALMLY CHEWS GUM
~ Associated Prcss

'V"'" 'SPUI.
over the admissability of testimony Of
Prof John Tiernan regarding the mar
ital relations Of himself and wife. is
expected TO be resumed when hearings
are taken up today in the case Of Mrs.
Augusta Ticrnan. wife Of the professor,
who charges Harry Poulin with the
paternity Of her ten months old child.
Testimony Of Mrs. Ticrnan. which
was corroborated by her husband. was
to the effect that the couple had dis
continued marital relations scveraI
months prior to the beginning Of tho
alleged affair between Mrs. Ticrnan and
Poulin.
Tho argumcn, between the contcndins
attorneys began Yesterday when Prof.
Ticrnan was placed on the stand and
was being questioned regarding that
point. Defense counsel raised the uies-
tion as TO just how far Il husbands
testimony is admissible in II case Of
! the peculiar character Of the present
one. and tho debate was still in progress
when court was adjourned for tho day.
Yesterdays hearing. which was taken
mp for the most part with the tosti-
mony of MIS-. Tiernan. was rcplctc with
sensational incidents. At one point.
when counsel for the defense hinted NJ
! the possibility oG Mrs. Tiernans $ second
child having q father other than tho
! professor, the plaintiff arose from tho
chair. and. with tears streaming down
! her face. shrickcd in n voice that could
! be heard in all parts of the court
! room.
| "Don't try to say anything like that.
| II is not true
! The defense attorneys Immediately
changed the line Of questioning.
Collapscs In Court
! Three times during the period which
! Mrs. Ticrnau was being subjected TO a
| mcrcilCSs cross questioning. the wit
ness collapsed. hut on being revived was
able to continue. Throughout the try ing
ordeal. she stood firm and refused to
; change n single statement of her story
Of the affair with Poulin.
Although no announcement has hcon
made, it is expected that Mrs. Mac
Poulin. wife of the defendant. will hs
placed on the stand today. Mrs. Poulii
was subpocnacd by, Prosecutor Floyd
.Icliaon. and Is regarded ms n valuable"
though somewhat "roluctan'. witness
Sh" has maintained throughout +
Staunch belief in her huNbnud's inn"
c"ncC.
1t is not believed that the hcarin:
viii he completed before Thursday.
When counsel for the prosecution
hintcd against tho rarcniag" OF h"'
child Mrs. Tiernnn rose IN court and
in q voice shaking with anger. cried
"Dout YOU dare iniimntc such 1
thing" Mrs. Ticrnan cried. whih h"l
husband who had parity risen I" his
feet. resumed his scat and tho cal'cr,
broke into cheers for the woman wh'
has voluntarily taken the stand an'
barred IN detail hcr story to make h"'
alleged 'hetraycr' suffer.
Testimony tnshakcn
Tho defense lawyer questioned ,h'
professor wife for moro than foul
! hours. dissccting her story nf hoI
alleged Illicit romnncr with r"ulil
, "pccr by piece in an effort to hr"al
, down her story. While ON tn" verge
, Of breakdown several times during Tho
, long ordeal. Mrs Ticrnan remained uu'
; shaken in her testimony. )
{ Lat" in the afternoon Prof. TicrnaI
Mas called (" tho stand. The rr"socr
tor began inquirinc into tho martha
rotations OF T'rof. ant! Mrs. Ti"rna,
at the time Mrs. Ti"rnan says she ant
r"uln cugagrd in their romance.
The question brought an immediate
ubjcction from the defense counsel Tho
debate was still in progress when IN,
lrHflhE WIS Hul'UTIfu Nllill 'bINh.
roulin maintained his attitude %
nonrhalancc through the hearing. lollin.
back in his chair and chewing gum whit
Mrs. Ti"rnan was repeating her acCu.
sations against him.
Said lie Would "Grt" Her
The attorney spent Considrrhhlr time
in cliciting information concerning thc
beginning nf Mrs. Ticrnan's 8 alleged IN.
timncics with Poulin
"IIc told me, Il m going to got yor '
she said ~ one point.
The lawyer also asked her concerning
hor three visits TO tho Pouin home whiIc
Mrs. roulin was in Chicago. Thcy
always left through the back door af,cr
these visits and no lights were displnyrd
in tho house. she said.
Then the witness told how she mct
roulin and he refused to speak to her
OH January = nt church. That after
noon Sh" told her husband Of tho ul",r
affair. she testified.
READ EDWARD e.. LOWRY
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