National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-24
DISTRICT SAFE BURGLARY.
PROCEEDINGS OF YESrERDAK IN
TIE oRuLIN4I COURT.

ARGUMENT FOR THE PROSECUTION BY
MR.. RIDDLE TESTIMONY OF MAJOR
RICHARDS.
The fourth day Of the trial Of whitley and
others, charged with conspiracy in the safe bur
glary case, opened yesterday in the Criminal
Court, before Mr.. Justice Humphreys, NTH q
large attendance Of persons, all Of whom seemed
to take deep interest in the proceedings.
The formal business Of the morning, the call
Of the jurors and the call and swearing Of
large number Of witnesses for the defence and
Of number for the prosecution, having been
completed, the jury roll was called over as usual
Mr.. Dsvidge said shst there were number Of
witnesses for the defence In court, and he desired
that they might be called the rule Of the court
excluding them from the court spilled to them,
so that they could be relieved from attendance.
Mr.. Riddle said there might also be some Wit
nesses for the prosecution In court, aud Il would
probably be as well for them to be subjected to
the same rule.
ARGUMENT RESUMED.
Mr. Riddle, for the prosecution, resumed the
opening statement, interrupted yesterday BY the
MT \. called me Jnry's attention 70 tie legal
instance he would show that Zirruth At Newark
by notice, met q man in Philadelphia, who gave
Demaine, at Warrington; that when Zirruth
came TO Washington he made the acquaintance
of Demsine, and introduced to him man who
Ia
Hayes,) and by procurement Butler was intro
dueed to Alexander, who represented that he had
in his possession certain books which Alexander
desired 70 procure. At the same time these very
books were taken by another person end put into
the safe at the District Attorneys ONCE. Now,
for this plan to be carried out It would be neces-
sary that these books should first be impressed
with the character Of stolen property, and
while that character remained on them should be
delivered to Columbus Alexander: Nor would
their delivery to Alexander be SUFFICIENT unless
the delivery was made in such q way as to permit
undeniable proof-no private handing over, but q
public delivery. This would be needed to com
piete the plot Proofof this was proof Of q con
spiracy. He would prove all this. He would
show the bringing Of the books from
at the District attorneys office, the making
Of the ONCE ready 70 be entered, the removal OF
All tenants and others likely TO interfere with the
burglary, the entrance Of some Of the parties to
the conspiracy At midnight, while others stood
without the police at their elbows and under their
control held back from interference, and the bur
glary completed; when the burglars came forth
from the office laden with their plumber these
parties, their coadjutors, prevented their arrest
otbs a . ny Ic U1e Nc t9e
the house Of Columbus Alexander, and when he
arrivt there they stopped his arrest until It had
been shown that It would be impossible to get
this plumber into Alexander's hands. 1.-The showed
this he would show the existence Of q conspiracy
to entrap Alexander in the very form laid down
In the Indictment.
THE SERIOUS PART OF THE WORK.
Of his labor. Were any Of them parties 70 the
conspiracy? The Affirmative of this issue was
with the prosecution. The idea Of conspiracy
involved the idea OF concert. 1t was not q Ques-
tion Of the prosecution Of an enterprise but Of an
agreement in concert. What then were the cir
eumstances which connected these parties with
this conspiracy? He would show that NettleshiD
gave Zirruth, in Philadelphia, q memorandum
containing the name OF Demaine, with instruc-
tons 70 make his acquaintance. About the same
time H. @. Whitley, chief Of the secret service,
sent Hayes to Washington with instructions to
communicate here with Nettleship, bat not ind
ing him here he telegraphed back to Whitley In
gram was here. Soon afterwards, by means Of
one Smaller, Zirruth was put in communication
with Hayes, Cutlery and this Butler was, by
lumbus Alexander Thenceforth Zlrruth faded
from the scene. He fingered some time, but was
told that they were putting up great job, pen
itentiary Job, and that he had better 20 to South
Carolina, and he disappeared for while.
THE MAIs NAN IN THE DRAMA.
Michael Hayes was thenceforth the main ar
ranger Of this drama. About the 14th Of April
be went TO New Fork for the purpose Of getting
undertake the lob. and HAYES tsie9raphsd SaeS
that the parties '.would not sell At that price,"
Nettleship was not here, bat in New York; and
soon after he met Nettleship in New York, who
then told him It was matter that he had secured
burglar, and then, in Nettleship's presence, he
met the burglar who had been selected for the
work. On the list he came TO Washington and
Columbus Alexander, aud telling him they would
bring him certain books Of J. o. Evans, they
by him politely; were shown into his inner ONCE,
and examined the safe. Harrington came in Just
as they had completed, and few words passed
IN reference TO the business matter Of the former
interview, and then Hayes and the burglar went
tothe house columbus Alexander, in order that
that be might take especial notice Of the man
(Bentlon) who was to bring him the books.
THE WARNING RECEIVED BIT Mr.. HARRINGTON.
m, -oFN 10 N T.sk
from New York by Mr.. Harrington, with no other
signature than B., giving information that q
burglary on his ONCE was intended. The in
foImant volunteered the Information that he was
asked TO take part. Il was supposed there was
honor among thieves, but It was found they were
not more honest than the average. This letter
was received Wednesday morning. Mr.. H. took
no immediate action. The letter informed him
that the burglary would take place on Wednes-
DAY or Thursday night, but he took no Preeau-
afternoon Of Thursday Mr.. Harrington went with
his own hands and got the books Of John o.
Evans, and placed them in that safe. He then
had an interview with the superintendent of Do
lice, Major Richards, and detailed to him the re-
eeipt Of the letter, giving his views Of the mat
suggestinF that n bis ONCE was entered At an Il
would probably be for the purpose Of getting
papers relating to some case then on trial, and
this thing, "a haul bottom it would be- and that
as he was engaged in the defence Of the District
government, 1t was quite likely the papers sought
District government; but Il they should happen
TO carry 1t to Columbus Alexander, they were
to arrest him Just as Alexander was about
to be followed elsewhere, but his great
care was TO Impress upon the unGuspieiOus mind
Of Maj. Richards the idea that Mr.. Alexander
had put up job. Then MAJ. Richards, Clarvoe,
Harrington, A. B. Williams and Evans placed
themselves In the neighbOrhood TO see what
would occur. TWAS
A BRIGHT MooEsHINY MIGHT.
They saw two parties enter, brake open the In
like way close the shutters. They then Lit the
gas, hung carpet over the back windows, and
apparantly began their work. Maj. Richards de-
sired their arrest; the District Attorney objected
70 their arrest. Shortly there was an explosion,
and after another interval two men cane out Of
the house. One Of them walked away, and has
never been seen by the eyes Of mortals in this
city since, as am prepared to prove, whatever
think about 1t myself. The other took the streets
leading Is,,et to M Alexanders house Went along
to Mr.. Alexnnder's house. They went along to
see, suppose, that he did not miss the way
rap9 Se p Sss then s M
ing his burden there he came back to the corner
OF Tenth street and inquired II that the house
Of Mr. Columbus. sis It Columbus Alexander2'
said Mr.. Harrington.
THE TIKGKR OF PATE.
He went back again, and again rang the bell
many times. Tho finger OF fate had frozen the
senses Of every inmate Of that house, that none
near the ClhukOr ana 0lHIm OF those Oeils.
He then detailed the circumstances Of the arrest.
Eefore that time Hayes, having accomplished the
purpose Of his mission, took that evening the $50
train for New York, and was absent at the time
the burglary was accomplished. On the 9Th Of
May one Someryille, alaWyer, came here and had
an interview with Harrington, and subsequently
with Benton, whose af1davit was made. Two
days afterwards, May I, Hayes afldavit was pro-
cured. Another point On June Harrington
received dispatch from Nettleship that he (N.)
would be At the Continental in the evening, which
they ascertained was in Philadelphia, and NTH.
went there Mr.. Zirruth returned to Newark,
but came here by o. roundabout way and attempt
ed to communists with the committee He re-
turned to Newark, and Nettleship paid him to 90
on q trip. They at last placed him on q steamer,
paid him 81 900, and he was supposed to have
sailed, but the last tug which left the steamer
brought him back, and placing himself in commu-
nieation with the Government was brought here.
THE wAHDERINes OF HAYES.
Mr.. Riddle then referred to Hayes returning
to New York, where he was seen by W. ]. Daily
in communication with Nettleship. Hayes was
then sent 70 Toronto, and NeWcombe was sent to
him to obtain an afidavit from him, which he re-
fused TO make. Nettlezhip had received orders
to turn up Hayes, and knew as early as May
where be was, but no report was made until the
18th. Hayes returned TO New York, and CUM
told him 70 see Nettleship at Newark, and he did
90. Nettleship did not arrest him but gave him
$50 and told him to leave. Hayes, however, had
communicated with Mr.. ]. H. Downs and he was
brought before the committee Mr.. Riddle then
referred to the burglar Williams, alias Bliss,
alias Miles, alias Alfred Lee, and said that be
had escaped from Sing Sing; that Somerville
called on Whitley, and they procured q cOndf-
30 n -.