The Judge’s Double Life: Seduction, Abortion, and the Cover-Up That Shook Tacoma

THE WICKERSHAM CASE. Proceedings the Second Day of the Trial.

The second day of the trial of Judge James Wickersham, probate judge of Pierce County, upon the charge made against him by Miss Sadie Brantner, was opened yesterday morning at 9:30 with the opening statement for the defense made by Mr. John P. Judson, the leading counsel for the defense.

Mr. Judson’s opening speech was wholly devoted to the alleged connection with the case on trial of R.F. Sagebough, of the Tacoma Times, who he characterized as the instigator and arch-conspirator of the whole proceeding, which was simply gotten up to punish Judge Wickersham for denying county patronage at his disposal to the Tacoma News.

Mr. Judson said he could produce evidence to the effect that Mr. Sagebough had made threats of bringing Judge Wickersham to shame if he did not give him the printing, and that the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the prosecutrix are simply tools to be used in carrying out this threat. The defense also asserted that they would be able to successfully assail Miss Brantner’s character, and to prove that she was not chaste previous to her alleged association with Wickersham; that she had held improper relations with a number of men in Tacoma, the editor of the Tacoma Ledger included, and lastly, but not least, that Judge Wickersham was innocent of the criminal intimacy charged.

ENTRY FOR THE EXAMINATION. Miss Brantner came into court during the opening argument with three ladies of the Women's Christian Temperance Union who had accompanied her the day before. She was pale and nervous, but took her place in the witness box with an air of quiet determination that evinced she had steeled herself for the trying ordeal, the severity of which was intensified by the gaping crowd that filled the room. Judge Wickersham sat facing the witness and jury with his counsel on one side and his wife on the other. His little boy, about seven years of age, stood or sat just behind him through the entire day, occasionally putting his arms about his father's neck.

MISS BRANTNER'S STORY. In response to the carefully worded interrogatories of the prosecuting attorney, Miss Brantner told the story of her wrongs and shame in a clear, positive and concise manner, although at times she was overcome by her trying position and was obliged to get a few moments to collect her thoughts. Her story can be best told in her own words which are here given in an abbreviated form...

"My name is Sarah Brantner. I came to Tacoma from Iowa five years ago, when I was 14 years of age... When I met defendant I was canvassing for a book named the 'Royal Path of Life.' ... I had been canvassing about three weeks when I met Mr. Wickersham for the first time (in September, 1887) while in Chisberg's restaurant waiting for my dinner. I did not know who he was, but noticed that he was watching me very closely.

FIRST MEETING WITH WICKERSHAM. I had been canvassing about three weeks when I met Mr. Wickersham... He took the book, examined it and said he would buy; but refused to write his name in the prospectus, putting me off by complimenting my personal appearance and saying he liked me and wanted to call on me.

A MEETING UNDER FEAR. I remained in the office an hour, and the conversation he asked me if I had a father... He then made one of a familiar nature, kissing his hand upon my breast. I objected to the indecency... He drove up with his carriage and insisted on my riding in it... He wouldn't let me out at the door but came over just to his place, five miles from town.

ON THE KIDNAP TRIP. When I returned to Tacoma I met him again and told him I intended going to Seattle to canvass. He said it was a good trip and that he would see me in Seattle... When I reached the boat Saturday evening he was there and came out with me... On arriving Mr. Wickersham took me to the Brunswick restaurant and said he would go out and find a room for me... In about twenty minutes he returned and said he had found a nice room.

We had supper and he then took my valise and led me to the Eureka Lodging House. I had no idea of his base designs and had perfect confidence in him. He took me to room 13 and, being inside, locked the door and put the key in his pocket. He also fastened the window... The witness gave a circumstantial account of how the witness, by force, accomplished her ruin.

Judge Wickersham registered at the house as 'John Jones and wife.' ... He told me Jones was the name he went by at times.

SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS. After our return to Tacoma I met Judge Wickersham several times on the street... We went and stopped at Young's hotel several days. We came to Seattle from Olympia, and roomed at the Eureka lodging-house again for several days. He talked with me about our criminal intimacy... He told me he would do anything for me, and asked if I wouldn't like to take up a piece of land.

VAIN EFFORTS OF THE DEFENDANT. He said I could take a piece up in the country and that no one would know who it was if I took an assumed name. He also said it would be better if I said I had a child who was in the East and a cripple... We came to Seattle then and he introduced me at the United States Land office as Mrs. Waterman.

DISCOVERY OF PREGNANCY. In May I discovered that I was in an unfortunate condition and told Mr. Wickersham. Acting under his instructions I called on Dr. Misner... Then Mr. Wickersham told me to go to Drs. Miller & Brown and tell them I was a married woman... An appointment was then made for me to call at the doctor's office the next day at 5 p.m.... Doctors Miller & Brown performed a criminal operation on me.

AT THE FASHION SALOON. At 11 o'clock that night Dr. Brown took me to a room over the Fashion saloon where a man met me... The operation was performed on Tuesday and I was taken very sick on Friday. Dr. Brown stayed with me all that night and administered chloroform to me at 10 o'clock, as he said to keep me from screaming.

RETURN TO IOWA. Dr. Brown told me I would have to go away... Mr. Wickersham then came in and said I must go away if I wished to shield them, and offered to give me $15 and pay for my ticket if I would go and remain away a year... That night I signed a relinquishment of my land claim to Mr. Wickersham and another paper and I then received $125... The next morning I left at 3 o'clock for the East, Dr. Brown accompanying me as far as Puyallup and buying my ticket."