Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-04
THE SAFE BURGLARY.
Twelfth Days Proceedings IN The Criminal Court
Testimony ofG. A. Taylor, A. j. Chap
man. and Others,

handwriting of Mr.. Whitley. Witness testified
that he had seen the Signature before, and that
II bore strong resemblance to Col. Wbitely's
Signature; this resemblance was very striking
ana be wss willing to say TO the jury that IL
bears strong resemblance to 1t, yet he would
not swear to IL positively.
A letter was here shown witness, when wit
Eess stated that the resemblance did not bear
him out in saying that the writing was his.
Counsel for the government here cited SIM
lar circumstance in the famous trial of Pro
Webster tor the killing OF DIR. Psrkman in Boz.
ton, and contended that the present eyidenc
should be admitted rs In the case cited.
The court ruled IL out, and counsel withdrew
the paper.
witness continued. saying that there wa, q
peculiar nervousness i'll Colonel Whitley's hau7-
writing; he sometimes LETT the letter sGe - and
sometimes It was put IN his name; he does NOT
always spell his name alike Here witness
lIoouceh =, bundle OF papers, all containing the
name OF Colonel Whitley, showing a difference
OF Signatures ] Witness stated that he would
not have passed on the papers had he not be
ileyed the signatures were genuine, yet they
ANOTHER WITNESS AS To HANDWRITING.
A j. Chdpmdn testified that he was an en-
ploye of the First Controllers Office. IL was
part OF the duty Of witness TO pass on signatures
He knew the signature of Col. Whitley, but
never saw him write. Telegraph book sub
m Tilted } Thinks that is whitley's signature.
expert on handwriting. Whitley sometimes Do ts
IN an "e'-sOmetimes leaves it out.
WHO SAW BENTON WHILE IN JAIL.
jail, testified that Benton was brought there on
the 2Sth OF April. Some two or three DAYS after
MS incarceration be asked for paper to write TO
his wife, anO he wrote a note TO A. b. Williams
Williams came in response to the note. Shortly
again.
Gross exsminaton:-It was nothing unusual
for lawyers to visit prisoners. Mr.. Riddle had
called to see Benton. MIR. Harrington had aiso
visited Benton in July.
BENToN's AFFIDAVIT.
J. j. u Iqe hat bof
commissioner; was called on in May; thinks il
wac the 5th; was called by W. NJ. Evans of the
District attorneys Office, for the purpose of
taking the ackDowled cement of Benton TO An
affidavit. Benton was brought down TO the
Wafden's room, and there made the affidavit
FIRST saying be knew the contents Some DAYS
SIIeINsrds, the newspapers having meanwhile
mace report CT the matter, Harrington co N
pIalned OF the report as unjust, and asked wit
ness as to the method in which the affidavit WAS
taken showing to witness at the same time the
aIhuaElt- mat was the last time witness saw
the AFFIDAVIT.
AT this point, 3.15, Mr. Riddle said that he had
expected TO have introduced the ladies, Mrs.
Hayes and Mrs. ZIrTuth, or he would have had
more witnesses, but no Others we're present now
The court then adjourned until this morning
al II O'Clock, the jury being sent to the National
To days Proceedings.
On the opening Of the colrt this morning
there was quite large number OF spectators
present.
lDEETIFICATIOS or PAPERS.
Mrs f. Il Rrdtisy, (witnsSS is the wife of M
BTaiisy, a stenographic repOrter) was called
and identified certain papers as copies made bv
her from the original papers.
Mr.. Riddle proposed 10 introduce these pa
IeTs (copies Of the atfidayits OF Benton made on
denCe.
The defence objected.
M. Z. 4. Bradley testified that he reported
the proceedings Of the committee; Mrs b
made tie copies Of the two afidayits handed
him by the committee. Witness had the affida-
wits II his possession Tor ten days or more, and
TO Dir. Colby, the clerk; understood that Colby
had IeIt the city; these afidaVits were prod need
by Mr.. SomerTIlle.
The defence believed that the papers could
Mr.. Riddle stated that he had soon after he
ing placed in charge of the case caused comics
OF al tne documents pertaining to the case he
could procure to be made by application at the
government Office to Dir. Colby, the clerk and
by correspondence with Mr. SommeryilIe huf
bad utterly failed to find the originals Of the
Mr.. Bradley was recalled and stated he acted
ss Official reporter to the committee, He nm
derstood on Monday from Mr.. Colby that he
tC.) was to be married in Philadelphia yestsr-
Gay, and vas TO leave Immediately for CaIifor-
MIA on his way 10 China.
MIR. Riddle submitted that he had laid thu
foundation; that Mr.. c. was here in attendance
up TO Monday.
The court said that if the defence objected
they had the right 10 do 40, and the prosecution
having shown that the papers had reached Col
bys banCs they had better show that he was
not in town. He should be telegraphed to, even
If he was married only last night.
Mr.. Riddle said the matter could be deferred.
TEE MAN WHO "PIPRD" NRTTLEsHIP
George Garter testified that be resides in BaIti-
more; was in this city on the 7th and slh of
April; saw Hayes and Nettleship on the sch of
April together, ii. having asked witness TO
''pipe him; saw them 90 up 18th street.
ORIGINAL TELEG RAMS PRODUCED.
Lsohdrd Whitaeg, sTorn.-Witness is manager
OF the Western Union Telegraph company in
this city. Witness produced certain original
kilograms (quite number). MIR. Riddle sub
mitted them TO the defence after sorting them
out, one or two Of which were said by Harrlng-
ton not TO be in his handwriting. Witness said
these were not produced under protest, but ia
Obed!enc TO the summons of the court; they.
were ali received and sent; had copies of tele-
grams sent from New York and the receipt
books showing their delivery in this CITY, which
he produced by direction of the court.
Cross examined -Witness allowed copies to
D. made several months ago, partly under the
rule allowing senders to take copies of messages
recognizing the right OF the head of depart
ment or bureau 20 procure copies Of kilograms
OF sUbOTdlnates, and partly under the orders OF
the president OF the company. Witness received
the order by telegram; had il at his Office; would
prefer Lot 10 produce IL except under Subpoena
Ihe kilograms from LIST March to LIST September
were asked for and copies made. The order was
received IN September. MIR. Riddle mace the
copies or they were made by his order. Mr.
MauSe also MADE search under order of the So
ilCltor Of the Treasury, and MIR. Orten thinks IN
July.
Ee-direct-The messages were produced on
being called for, the name OF the parties and
date being indicated.
Charles SbtrleT swOrn.-WItness is clerk in the
OF &c OF general superintendent OF the Western
MON Telegraph. Witness produced the origi-
ns! kilograms OF certain parties in New York
sent 10 PARTIES IN this city; aud had the recent
books OF messages received from parties in this
city in New York. Witness produced the Origi-
mails and books.
C.. A. TAYLOR WAS RECALLED.
Witness is acquainted with the handwriting
of ThOs. Smaller; never saw him write; witness
identified certain paper in the handwriting Of
Mr.. Shaiier. iObiected TO and exception noted
by General Henkie for Colonel Whitley Wit
ness identified some as in the handwriting of
Cum. General Henkle noted al exception 10
the admission OF this evidenced
THESE papers we're % in number.l
Mr. JOHN DAVIDSON RECALLED.
witness is a clerk in the Office of the solicitor
OF the Treasury, aud knows the handwriting OF
the late solicitor, Mr.. Banheld; Identified one
OF the papers as in the handwriting of Mr. Ban
HELD d. w. +. CunZ was the auditing clerk of
the :. cret service, and Smaller a clerk in the
same once; Netleship was assistant chief OF
the service; saw n. frequently with CUM and
Shaiieri Did not know that they &C. or s. had
written kilograms for N, nor IL thew had the
right to use bis name; witness Identified several
kilograms IS in the handwriting OF CUM ana
ShaIleT; three OF these he was not sure was in
the handwriting OF Smaller; witness Ia ac