HER PITIFUL STORY

 

New York Police Parade, June 1, 1899. Edison film.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, November 3, 1894.

HER PITIFUL STORY.

HOW MRS. HERMANN WAS BLED BY THE POLICE.

Scattered Her Thousands With a Lavish Hand to Secure Protection Which She Never Received—Bilked to Her Last Cent, Then Shipped From the City—In Poverty Now, But Refuses to Divulge the Desired Names.

   NEW YORK, NOV. 3.—The long looked for witness from whom the general public expected the most sensational disclosures in connection with the recent police exposures was the star attraction at the session of the Lexow investigating committee.

   Mrs. Matilda Hermann is a rather large woman, with not an unkindly expression, of rather masculine features, black hair and snapping black eyes.

   She was a very willing witness, with one exception (in the case of Policeman Cooney), and seemed determined to tell all she knew.

   By her evidence three new police captains were added to the list of alleged blackmailers and also several wardmen.

   Lawyer Price was also named as a go-between, but the most interesting statement made by the witness was the ruin of her niece, whom she had been trying to save from a disreputable life. The girl was led astray by her own mother who was the proprietress of a disorderly house.

   Mrs. Hermann said she made several attempts to save the girl through the police and even implicated a police justice who helped to shield a police captain by refusing to act in the matter.

   The day's session as a whole was not prolific of sensational features, but was more in the way of corroborative evidence of the corruption already brought to light.

   Street Commissioner Andrews was on hand at an early hour prepared and demanding to be sworn in denial of the charges made by Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson on the day before that he had received $500 to secure a license for a disreputable hotel. He was not sworn, but his denial was read.

   Mrs. Hermann resumed the witness stand at the conclusion of the recess.

   "You know there is a bench warrant out for you for contempt in going away when you were served with a subpoena?" asked Mr. Goff.

   "Yes, sir."

   "You know how to purge yourself of contempt?"
   "Yes, sir."

   "You are not afraid that if a certain political party gets in power you will be sent to state's prison?"

   "I am not afraid."

   "Now when you were arrested the policeman told you to hire certain lawyers?"

   "Yes, sir. Officer Zimmerman told me to take Steiner, now judge, or he would send me to state's prison. I employed Steiner and paid him $250 the first time and $175 the second. The policeman swore he didn't know I was the madame and I was released."

   "Did you have to pay the detectives?"

   "Yes, from $150 to $500 to 'fix' it with the detectives when I was arrested."

   "How about the captain feeling 'sore'?"

   "Well, the captain wanted $1,600, but I said $1,000 was enough and I paid it on Jan. 8. I did this for the privilege of opening up my house after I had been arrested."

   "Who was in command of the precinct when you paid the $1,000?"

   "Captain Brogan."

   "How did you come to forfeit your bail?"

   "Lawyer Price advised me to skip, saying the police captain told him that I should forfeit my bail as I would be sent to prison if tried. I went to Europe, giving my bondsmen $1,100. When I returned, I was arrested by Detective Armstrong on a bench warrant. I offered him $1,000 and he said he must consult his partner before deciding to let me go. He afterward said he could not."

   "You were constantly paying out money?"

   "Yes; I paid over $1,000 a month."

   "You paid the police, police court lawyers and prison keepers?"

   "Twenty-five thousand dollars. I know that I haven't a $100 bill in the world now. Lawyer Price got a lot of money out of me. When I was brought before Recorder Smythe on the charge of keeping a disorderly house Lawyer Price said that for $500 he could get me off."

   The witness wept when she told of the brutal treatment she had received at the hands of the police.

   "Whenever I was brought into court, the lawyers wanted several hundred dollars, saying they had to divide it with the police."

   "Did you ever see Dr. Parkhurst?"

   "Yes."

   "Did the police warn you?"

   "Yes."

   "I was sent away by the police."

   "Was a purse raised?"

   "Yes; the police raised $1,700 to send me away."

   "Who gave you the money?"

   "A man I never saw before."

   "What did you ask him?"

   "If Captain Haughey contributed to the purse. He said 'yes.' I asked if Captain Ryan was in it. He said 'yes.' He also said that Captain Brogan and a policeman had contributed."

   "How did you come to leave New York?"

   "Why one night the man I have mentioned came to my house and we went out and met 12 men."

   "Were they connected with the police?"

   "Yes, sir."

   "And who were they?"

   "Oh! Mr. Goff, I cannot tell."

   "You wanted to open a house in the tenderloin once?"

   "Yes."

   "The initiation fee was $1,000?"

   "I believe so."

   "When you were in Chicago you met a number of former keepers of disorderly houses in this city?"

   "Yes, sir."

   "They asked you how the Lexow committee was getting along?"

   "Yes."

   Mr. Goff tried to have the witness mention the name of the police captain she was endeavoring to shield.

   "I won't do it if you kill me," said the witness.

   "You said you were sorry to see me when we first met," said Mr. Goff.

   "And I am now," laughed the witness.

   The investigation then adjourned for the day.

Justice Hogan's Denial.

   NEW YORK, NOV. 3. —Police Justice Hogan threatens that when the grand jury convenes he will go before it and demand the indictment of Mrs. Matilda Hermann of willful perjury. The woman's alleged offense was in testimony which she gave before the Lexow committee that Justice Hogan had improperly interfered in the matter of a warrant which had been procured at her instance for the arrest of her sister, a step taken, as alleged, to save the daughter of the latter from entering upon a life of shame. Justice Hogan says the woman's story is utterly false, so far as he is concerned.

THE FARCE ENDED.

Carlisle Decides That a Coachman is a Domestic Servant.

   WASHINGTON, Nov. 3.—Secretary Carlisle has at last decided that Levi P. Morton's second coachman, John James Howard, comes under the class of a domestic servant, and is not subject to the provisions of the foreign contract law. He accordingly orders his release from custody.

Dispatches From Shanghai.

   LONDON, NOV. 3.—A dispatch from Shanghai says that it is now asserted there that no Japanese have landed at Tukushan, at the mouth of the Yalu river.

   The dispatch adds that it is the intention of the Japanese forces to attack Fung Wang Ching from two sides. Fung Wang Ching lies about 200 miles northwest of Tukushan, which is on the Manchuria side of the Yalu river.

Japanese Forces Attacking Kinchow.

   LONDON, Nov. 8.—The Japanese legation has received a dispatch stating that the Japanese forces, commanded by Field Marshal Count Oyama, are attacking Kinchow. The dispatch adds that both Talienhwan and Port Arthur are in a critical position.

David Hill.

SENATOR HILL IN CORTLAND.

Delegation of Cortland Democrats Meet Him at Freeville.

   The downpour of rain of the early morning had ceased and a clear sky greeted the arrival of the 9:48 train on the E., C. & N., bearing Senator David B. Hill, who came to Cortland to-day to lend enthusiasm and inspire hope in the ranks of the Democratic voters of Cortland county.

   Shortly before the arrival of the train the Young Men's Democratic club headed by the Cortland City band and followed by a delegation of citizens with a drum corps and a company of boys with Hill badges marched to the station to greet the senator [former governor] and his party upon their arrival and to escort them to their headquarters at the Cortland House.

   A company of Cortland Democrats consisting of R. W. Bourne, chairman of the Democratic county committee, Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Hugh Duffey, Judge S. S. Knox, Dr. H. T. Dana, John Courtney, Jr., James Dougherty,  Ed L. Adams of Marathon, Dr. B. Kinyon and F. M. Benjamin of Cincinnatus and [R. R.] Superintendent Albert Allen went to Freeville on the 9 o'clock train to meet the senator and accompanied him to Cortland.

   Senator Hill was accompanied by Col. McEwen of Albany who stopped off at Cortland with him and Congressman Wood who went on to Greene where he will speak this evening.

   As the train drew into the station, the locomotive gaily decorated with flags, the crowd cheered and the band and drum corps began to play while the party were finding their way to the carriages which were in waiting.

   Senator Hill, Col. McEwen, Chairman R. W. Bourne and Judge Knox occupied a carriage drawn by four white horses and were at once escorted to the Cortland House where an informal reception was held.

   The Opera House was packed to the doors this afternoon by representatives of both political parties to hear Senator David B. Hill expound his views on the great political questions. A person who was fortunate enough to obtain even standing room congratulated himself. The meeting was called to order by R. W. Bourne, chairman of the Democratic county committee. Dr. Benjamin Kinyon of Cincinnatus was made chairman and in a brief speech introduced Senator Hill, who spoke for over an hour and a half.

   He discussed the tariff question claiming that the present bill was a happy medium. He denounced the constitutional amendments, expressed his belief in home rule for cities, but had not a word to say about Tammany's disgraceful rule of New York City or the results of the Lexow committee's investigations. He paid his respects to Governor McKinley. He denounced the A. P. A. and believed with the Republicans in freedom of worship and of religious belief. He praised the state administration of Gov. Flower and that of his own in former years. He lauded Cleveland and his administration and after a tribute to Thomas Jefferson prophesied a brilliant future for the Democratic party if it did its duty at the polls.

   Mr. Hill left on the 3:17 train for Elmira, where to-night he makes his last speech in this campaign.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Two Stray Amendments.

   Two amendments to the state constitution—in addition to those proposed by the constitutional convention—have been passed by two successive legislatures and will be submitted to the people at next Tuesday's election. No attention has been paid to these amendments because both of them relate to matters that have been treated by the constitutional convention. One amendment provides for increasing the number of supreme court judges in the first and second judicial districts. In each district two additional judges are proposed.

   The amendment submitted by the constitutional convention covers all necessary increase in the number of supreme court judges, but there will be no harm done in voting for the amendment relating to the first and second judicial districts, and it will avoid delay if every voter casts a ballot "For" every amendment offered.

   The other amendment, passed by the legislature, provides for two county judges in Kings county. The judiciary amendment prepared by the constitutional convention makes the same provision, so the amendment proposed by the legislature will be superfluous, but every one can safely vote for it, as in the case of the amendment above mentioned.

   The presentation of the two amendments proposed by the legislature is of no significance except as it adds to the burdens of voters, requiring them to handle and fold four additional ballots, two "for" and two "against." With these four ballots and the six "for" and "against" the amendments submitted by the convention, the voter will have a full hand, but if he is sensible and patriotic enough to resolve to vote "For" all of them, his task will be easy.

What the Japs Have Given Us.

   They have given us the beautiful light bamboo and wickerwork furniture, so cool, so restful and clean. In the summer especially it takes the place of our stuffy, dust catching and microbe spreading upholstered chairs and sofas. These heavy, clumsy articles are a weight on the eyesight and a burden to the mind compared to the light, graceful Japanese couches and drapery. The Japanese have taught us the priceless lesson of letting our sleeping rooms be as bare as possible of all but light and air. "Furniture," said a highly cultivated Japanese gentleman. "We have no furniture or house decorations such as you think necessary. We do not furnish our houses." The cheap and nasty decorations, so called, of pasteboard, paper or bits of silk, dust traps one and all, find no place in a Japanese home. There are light beds, with just enough covering to keep one warm. There are bare, polished floors, with rugs, floors so exquisitely clean that a Japanese never enters the house with his shoes on.

    The Jap expresses his artistic soul outdoors in flowers and gardens. To the Japs we owe the soft, comfortable flowing draperies that have indoors at least taken the place of our stiff, tight, uncomfortable dress. Even masculine apparel has felt to some extent the civilizing influence of Japan.

   Japan has given us evergreens, fruits and chestnuts far superior to our own. Finally, and if she had bestowed on us nothing else, we would be her debtor to the latest day—Japan has given us the chrysanthemum, now in bloom in all its yearly glory.

BREVITIES.

   —In police court this morning E. L'Ameraux, who was arrested for public intoxication, was discharged.

   —The Cortland Juniors and the Normals began a game of football at the

fair grounds at 3 o'clock this afternoon.

   —Lincoln lodge, L. O. G. T., will hold a social at the home of Mr. William

Chorley, 31 Pomeroy-st, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 7

   —Dr. Hull is having a very fine stone walk laid in front of his residence on Monroe Heights. Parties from Trumansburg are doing the work.

   —The communion of the Lord's Supper at the First M. E. church will be celebrated hereafter only at the end of each quarter, and therefore not on the first Sunday of each month as heretofore.

   —The Cornell chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity has just completed a handsome lodge. It is three stories high, is built of St. Lawrence marble, finished in hard wood, and furnished with all modern conveniences. Besides parlors, diningrooms, smokingrooms, etc., it contains studyrooms and bedrooms for sixteen young men.

   On every Halloween night for a number of years past the boys have among other pranks turned over the stone horse block in front of Dr. A. J. White's residence on Port Watson-st. This year Dr. White did not exactly tar and feather the culprits, but he placed tar on the horse block and now a number of them have been kept busy ever since scraping the tar from their hands.

Cortland Opera House stood next to the Cortland House on Groton Avenue.

"FOGG'S FERRY" WILL BE REPEATED NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT.

A Big Crowd—Clever Acting—Elaborate Wardrobes—Realistic Mechanical and Calcium Light Effects.

   All that has been previously stated regarding "Fogg's Ferry" was realized last evening when the piece was presented at the Opera House by the Players' club under the auspices of the Cortland Athletic association. There was scarcely a vacant seat in parquette or gallery and it was the large it audience of the season. The mechanical effects were produced in a manner which elicited storms of applause. Everything was new and up to date and proved to be very realistic.

   The entertainment opened promptly at 8:15 o'clock by the selection "Poet and Peasant" by the Cortland City band. This was the number upon which the Packer band of Sayre won the first prize at Ithaca at the band contest during the firemen's convention last fall and the Cortland band's rendering was said by many to be the finer.

   The play of "Fogg's Ferry" followed and was produced in a style which gave evidence of the fact that Cortland has theatrical talent of which she may well feel proud. There was not a poor character in the cast.

   Mrs. E. S. Burrowes in the soubrette role of Penny Fogg, the ferry waif, was clearly a favorite with the audience. Her acting, if such a phrase is permissible, was literally "out of sight." The character building of Penny from an uncouth, backwoods girl of fourteen summers to a society young lady of the present was a very interesting character study.

   Blanche Norwood, the heiress, was ably impersonated by Miss Elizabeth

Phillips. There was a good opportunity in this character for some very clever work and Miss Phillips availed herself of it. Her wardrobe was very elaborate, and her beautiful costumes, good acting and singing, added a great deal to the success of the piece.

   Miss Minnie Woodin did some very clever character work in playing the part of Martha. Her accurate conception of the role was interpreted with a view to carefulness in details. The result was that her character was one of the most successful of the piece.

   Mrs. Fogg, the owner of Zebulum, as impersonated by Miss Leila Corwin, was one of the best in the play. The character which she represented was not a pleasant one. It was not designed to elicit the sympathy of the audience, and  Miss Corwin interpreted it well.

   Mr. B. D. Hakes as Zebulum Fogg was a character not soon to be forgotten.

Every minute that he was on the stage meant a laugh and he kept the audience roaring nearly all the time. His acting did him credit.

   Mr. E. B. Cummings appeared last evening for the first time in the role of a villain. All that has previously been said in regard to his fine leading juvenile work applies to his heavy character work with the addition that he is one hundred per cent better.

   Mr. W. F. Seacord did the juvenile work last evening in a very creditable manner. He dressed and acted the part almost to perfection and the Players' club would have to skirmish around considerably to find one who would surpass him.

   Mr. M. R. Chapin as Sam Bolter proved himself last evening a fine interpreter of the character which he represented. Mr. Chapin has a good voice for the stage and his acting was fully up to the standard.

   F. W. Lanigan as Still Bill was a unique character with no lines whatever except "yes" and "no" and the hit that he made with Miss Woodin as Martha was due solely to his fine acting. He responded to encore after encore from his fine repertoire of songs.

   Last, but by no means least, comes Mr. E. S. Burrowes in the part of Judge Norwood, the retired miner. It is difficult to describe his high class acting. The judge, a middle-aged man, with the peculiar attributes of a proud and gracious nature, yet, withal, kind, considerate and candid, was a difficult character to personate, but Mr. Burrowes did it excellently.

   Two of the most laughable specialties of the evening were the broom drill by Mr. Hakes, which introduced all of those with comedy parts, and the Reuben quartet, which responded to encore after encore till their entire repertoire was exhausted.

   The Players' club have consented to repeat "Fogg's Ferry" under the auspices of the Cortland Athletic association on next Tuesday evening, Election night. Arrangements have been made for the reporting there of the election returns covering the vote in the entire state. For those who do not enjoy standing around a closely smoke-filled crowded room this will be an excellent place to spend the evening with family and at the same time be entertained by one of the best pieces ever presented in Cortland. The prices have been reduced to ten, twenty and thirty cents and the house will undoubtedly be packed. Secure seats early.