The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-02
THAT IMMACULATE" BEECHER WIT
NESS.

PETERSBURG, Va, march 80, 1878
Benolding nom the HERAID's report OF the great
Beecher trial that colored brother who formerly
resided In this city had made conside raple
figure as Of the witnesses Tor the defence, tho
writer was moved to seek an informal discourse
wnica could hardly be styled an interview-with
Mr.. Edmund Il. OSBORNE, with whom the witness
referred to--one James u. Woooley-IormerIy lived
and for whom he worked. Mr.. Osborne Is the resi-
dent partner OF the nrm or Osborne A Cnienes-
not Cheese as the papers made It.
large tobacco manufacturers, and accustomed 10
employ many negroes. Mr.. Osborne rene inferred
the boy perfectly well, and identified him in his
memory by sundry incidents and associations or
his intelligence Mr.. Osborne spoke highly; he said
he regarded Woodley as OF more than ordinary
cleverness and quckness and that, for a negro and
considering his opportunities ne had good educa-
ton. lie was also brisk, polite and industrious
but there mis- good character must end. Jam was
q great rascal, quick at a lie and plausible In the
telling OF It; artistic In covering mp his tracks and
In giving the most credible color 20 whatever ne
asserted. He was just the man, In the
opinion OF his former employer. to learn such
tissue OF falsehoods az his evidence seemed to
be, and 70 reel IL OF gliby and confidently. Ito
had plenty OF wit to lick such story into decent
shape, and plenty OF the klbd OF courage which
In called cheek TO STICK TO his version as long as
his services we're appreciated. IL was q matter OF
surprise, however, that the evidently weak points
Of his testimony were MOI seen and exposed.
For instance. WoodleJ testified that MS object
IN going 10 New YORK was to invest at better
rates OF interest than could be commanded here
3 considerable sum Of money that he had earned.
Mr. Osborne says thar the negro had no money
and went to the North TO get work. The pretcnce
OF his being a capitalist la search or a suitable
market Tor the Investment OF his supernuous
means was In every respect thin and ridiculous
Apart from the fact that Woodey had no money
when he left this city, 10 IL true that the highest
rates OF interest were paid for money on deposit
In the banks Of this CITY at the time, which clrcum
stance eliminated, among other causes, m the
explosion OF the Merchants National Bank in
1879, with q small deficiency OF some S4oo, 600 or
$4,000.
But perhaps Mr.. Woodey was 80 astute a imam
cier that ne toresaw TINS collapse, which caught
experienced white capitalists unawares, and SO,
IKE the prudent man In the Scripture, he ioresaw
the evil aud hid himself. JudIclous Woodley, that
went to New YORK with q half dollar in hts
pocket In order to invest u where the rate or IN
terest was high on deposits, where motn could
not corrupt nor thieves break through and steali
Another circumstance. Woodiey tod Mr.. Full
lerton that "he would not tell his vile II he had
one how much money ne had or words OF tanta-
mount meaning. Mr.. osborne says the fellow nad
a vile here, and also one OF those facile but fas-
cinating female companions OF whom King Solo,
mon had an assortment several hundred strong.
Mr.. Osborne identified his former TOBACCO
stemmer by sundry circumstances that he re-
called. wnen woodIey FIRST removed North he
would still return TO Petersburg to vote "a negro
had rather vote Tor carpet-Oaeger than go TO
heaven on the wings OF dovel, claiming that this
city was mis- residence so long a. his vile lived
here ana ne had the dnfmus reU@iendL Finally
be carried his wife away, and vas NO more heard