Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-16
THE WHARTON TRIAL.
The Testimony of Young Ketchun

ANNAfOE-le, eDecs 7lo.--l1 t1c = W MARION
case to-day Judge Miller ruled out the ques-
ton propOunded to VanNess as to how he
came to be at Mrs. Wharton's house on
certain day, if well or sick, his symptoms,
etc. nt&HttsHN ttl4F
sChas. Ketchunn was sworn. He isa son
of the late Gen. Ketchum. Has known
the prisoner for twenty years. Remem-
bers the day when his father left Washing
ton for Baltimore, June "a. His health then
was perfectly good as far as he can Judge.
He had slight sore throat in April. The
witness next saw his father on Friday.
June 80, when he was dead. Saw Mrs.
Wharton at Mrs. Chubbs' house in Wash
ington on the Sd day of July. Knew that
she was coming to Washington.
When he met her with his brother she
commenced to sympathize with them, say
ing she also had lost good friend. Her
eyes were filled with tears. She regretted
to have to talk on business matters SO soon
after his fathers death, but necessity com
PEELED her do so. She then said she had
called to see about $4,000 in bonds she had
given my father; that she was going to
leave Baltimore on Friday or Saturday and
desiring letter credit she wished to secure
the bonds. Said she was going to Europe
and would leave New York on the follow
ing Wednesday. The witness asked at what
time she had given those bonds to his faith
er, and she replied about eighteen months
ago; that she had given him four bonds,
each for one thousand dol
lars. They were five twenty
Londs bearing @ per cent interest, and to
be sold by him and converted into 1910
five per cent coupon bonds. Witness
asked if her father had given any receipt for
the bonds, and she answered no. He
asked if there were any witnesses to the
transaction and she said no witness. He
said he could do nothing, as no admins
TRAITOR had been appointed, and would not
be until Saturday next, and neither himself
nor his brother could touch a cent before
that time. She replied that would not do,
that she would leave Baltimore SATURDAY.,
and must have money to obtain her letter
of credit before she left. Witness
told her if she would accompany
him to Gen. Brice's Office, proba-
bly, he could suggest some way
by which the money could be raised, and
she consented. Witness then asked if she
would be offended if he talked business to
her. She replied she would not. He then said
his fathers books showed she was in debt
10 him $1,000. She replied that she had
paid that debt in two installments; that on
July II, 1870, she paid 81, 800 and $130 in
terest, and on Jan. II, 1871, she paid the
balance, 81 300, and S65 interest for six |
months. She said my father had noted |
these payments on the back of the note, |
hat he had entered S130 as the amount due |
for interest at the last payment, when she |
said, General, that is not right; it should be |
S65, the interest on $500 for |
six months. You have calculated |
1n $500" * He acknowledged |
he mistake, erased out S130, and put
lown sos. He then handed her the note say |
ng, ''Ellen, now that this transaction is ended |
us, you had better destroy the |
note, as it may give you some trouble"
She destroyed the note in bis presence. !
Witness asked if there were any witnesses
o the transaction, and she answered no. |
lie asked her if she had any receipt for the /
of interest or principal. She an
'wered she had not. They then went to !
zen. BriceS office where he requested Mrs.
Wharton TO make known TO him the object
If her visit, when she said she had called to
secure or obtain payment Of $4,000 in
ponds. Gen. Brice is witnesses uncle. The
witness then detailed the statement made
1y Mrs. Wharton to Gen. Brice in regard to
he bonds, which was the same as made to
himself. Gen. Brice was astonished at her
lemand, and told her that his fathers books
md papers showed that she was in his debt
o the amount of s., 800, and there was no
evidence that Gen. Ketchum was in her
lebt for $4,000. Gen. Brice then asked
When she had given the bonds to Gen.
<etchum. She said about eighteen months
4gO. Gen. Brice asked what kind of bonds
hey were. She replied four $1,000
ive-twenty bonds, to be converted
nto ten-forties for safe keep
ng. Gen. Brice then asked about the
2 800, when she made the same stateme t
n regard to having paid it as she made to
witness. The statement was repeated in
ull as to the payment and advice of Gen.
letchum to destroy the note and its de-
truction. Gen. Brics asked in what man.
Ter she had paid this money. She replied
u greenbacks. Gen. Brice asked if she
vas not afraid of SO large a sum of money
bout her. She said no. He asked if she
lad any receipt or any witness to the trans
ction. She answered no. He asked if
drs. Chubbs did not know something about
t. She replied no one knew anything
bout it. The General then told her there
vas no possible means Of getting the
'Onds at that time, as the estate of
fen. Ketchum was in court, and that
her trip to Europe depended on get
ing the bonds she had better give up
Il hope of going. She received this an
louncement with no apparent concern or
motion, and got up to leave, saying she
vas sorry she had no time to call on Mrs.
5rice, but thought it was best she should
Ot, as her presence might awaken fresh
REF Mrs. Brice is a sister of Gen. Ketch-
IN. She sent her love to Mrs. Brice and
sft. Witness went with her to the side
7alk and told her he would be in Baltimore
ext day for his fathers effects. They then
eparated. In reply to questions from the
,Ourt, the witness answered that Mrs. |
Wharton stated she had made payment to |
is father at Mrs. Chubbs house.
Next day, July 4, witness went to Balti-
lore and saw Mrs. Wharton at her house,
hen showed her a small pocket diary that
elonged to his father and asked her to ex-
mine it for herself. She declined to take
he diary, saying she could not see to read
:. 1t was one o'clock in the day and bright,
5 far as he remembers. Witness asked if
he had her glasses with her. She answered
would make no difference if she had, she
rould be unable to read it. Witness then
aid he commenced and read the contents
f each page Of the diary to her, beginning
4 the fly Leaf. She was at his right hand,
lose enough to hear all he read. Among
he entries in the diary read by witness were
hree credit payments of interest on L. L.
VS. note, each S130, dated January
I, 1870, July II, 1870, and January
5, 1870. While reading the entries, Mrs.
Wharton interrupted him several times and
poke of the 81, 900 in bonds. Witness said
she would wait until he got through he
would talk about the bonds. When he
cad the entry of payment of interest Jan.
5, 1871, Mrs. Wharton said that was not
orrect; it should be S65 instead of $130, !
nd was paid on the 18th Of January and
lot on the 25th. He asked if the payment
vas made by check. She answered no.
lie asked if the payment Of the principal
lad been made by check or draft. She said
10; it was paid with money she had in the
louse which she received from rents. He |
sked if she could give him from her books
he dates on which she made the payments.
,he said she kept no books; did so
t one time, but they were too much
rouble. Witness then asked her to make
ut memorandum of the dates on which
ayments were made, which she agreed to
o, and to forward to him next |
/