Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-06-17
By Telegraph.
LATEST ME Ws.
EVENING REPORT.
Trial oTthe ConsptrRtors.I

v WASHINGTON, June l6.--Several wilnesse
were examined this morning, among them d
i. Eastward, employed in the Ontaria Bank
Montreal, who testified RS to Jacob Thompson
having his accounts in that bank Witnes,
said Thompson originally made requsitor
on that bank for S25, 900 in currency in favor
OF benjamin Wood, but this was aiterwarc
changed by direction of Mr.. Thompson, in
favor Of ID. S. Eastwood The draft for this
amount was dated August 10th, 1865, and
was drawn on the City Bank of New York.
The back Of the draft istbus endorsed "Hon.
Benjamin Wood or order.
d. s. Eastwood, b Wood, George Wilkes,
and Abraham D. Russell testified as to the
signature OF Benjamin Wood, and that he was
a member of Congress at the time and is nlso
proprietor Of the New York Daily News.
The Court then adjourned until Mon
day
Colonel Tompkins, member of the Court,
4 wos not present at the session of the court
to day, on account VI indsposition.
Examination of Robert Purdg by Jndee
Advocate Holt--Witpcss resided 10 Virginia,
and had beoa in the Government service since
| 1861. letter heretofore published appearing
to Aave been dsted atSouth Branch Bridge,
Virginia, April 9th, 1866 addressed 10 friend
Wilkes and referring TO certain oil specula-
tions, and suggesting an escape by way Of
Ihorton's Gap, in case the party failed to get
through on his trip on striking OIL was shown
to the witness, who stated that he had never
seen it before. Witness testified that alusions
to Pnrdy ontained had reference to him that
the writer was known to him as person by
the name Of Jonas McAlesr, aid that some
OF the operations Of the latter, especially that
with reference to difficulty with the girl
spoken OF, we're untrue.
Cross examined by Mr. Aiken South |
Branch Bridge ia on branch of the Potomac |
riser, about twenty two miles from Cumber-
Land. Letters are not usually mailed from
South Brasoh Bridge, but from little village
known as Green Spring Run Just above. There
is nu postoliice at South Branch Bridge. There
are no oil wells in that vicinity.
A. the request Of the Judge Advocate b. l..
Eastward then read paper to the court it is
dated Montreal, August 10Th, 1863 and il is
directed to the cashier Of the City Bank of
New York and the writing is as iollows-"At
three days sight, please pay to the order OF D.
Il Eastwood, in cul rent funds $25, 900 value
received, and charge the same to the account
OF this branch" The endorsement on the
bill directs the payment to he made to the
Hon. Benjamin Wood or order
(Signed,) B. f Woon.
The witness stated further that he WAS not ,
with the Benjamin Wood referred
o, bnt he supposed it to be the same who, at ,
he date oil that transaction was a member Of ,
he Congress OF the United States.
Cross examined by Mr. Aiken-Did net
ecollect Aavlng easheds any drafts or cheeka
u favor OF james Watson Wallace, Richard [
iontgomery James B Merritt, or John Wilkes !
Ia, oh ha Ia Oh
hOsed bill in the Bank at Montreal with 1
'hich the witness was connected never 4
card the name of John II. Surratt mentioned
efore o
The Judge Advocate exhibited to the wit. /,
ess "A list Of localities on which drafts had
cen made by the Ontario Bank, and requested
i'm to give the dates and amounts Of the
RATS which as shown by the paper, had been b
rawn on New York. The witness stated that o
ne following were among the number OF drafts
rawn: On the 3D. of October last, a draft NJ
,r $4,000 in gold on November Sd, 4th, h
nd 9th, bills for $4,000 in United States N
urrercy, and on the Dist OF March last small
RATS were drawn.
Examination of George Wilkes by Judge
dvocate Holt Am acquainted with Ben. ci
food of New York, and know his hand t
Iiting. The endorsement, B Wood, on the
ack Of the bill of Exchange given above,
as exhibited to the witness, and the hand
rting identified as that OF Beniamin Wood,
New York The witness further stated
lat at the time at which the paper appeared So
have been dated, Mr Wood was a member b,
the Congress OF the United States, and he W.
siieved editor and proprietor OF the New York
ally News
Examination Of Mr.. Abraham d Russell by
ldge Advocate Holt-Am acquainted with 'e
enjamin Wood, OF the city OF New York,
ID know his hand writing The endorse ment
l the bill of exchange, exhibited to the ca
'evious witness, was identified by this wit. A
sss to be the hand writing Of Mr.. Wood in
I the time Of the date of that bill of ex. re
lange, Mr.. Wood was a member Of Congress II
the United States and editor aud proprie- pc
r of the New York Daily News. Witness liz
I'd been in the habit of receiving letters
om Mr.. Wood.
The court adjourned ill Monday at ten a
clock.