The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-21

| RIVAL OF MR.. HUNTER, "THE MUTUAL
| FRIENDn-1MPoRTAN TESTIMONY FROM
| HIA-STEvENs CALLED TO TIE STAND.
The House special committee appointed to
Investigate the conduct of Judge George
| Stevens ia winning certain funds from Del
egate Fowle, Of Alexandria, met Saturday
morning. They heard the conclusion Of
Senator G. T. Smiths deposition, " bich was
mainly in regard to the bonds placed in bis
hands ss trustee Of the Montpelier Asso-
citation; and then called to the stand Colonel
John Minor. -E"
| Colonel Misor said reside in Loudouu
| county, and am by occupation farmer. Am
at present first doorkeeper to the Senate.
Know nothing about the gambling between
Fowle and Stevens.
| GOOD HATING.
| @. Do you know anything of Judge Ste
veIs having gambled with any person since
he has been judge?
A. No particular person.
| @. Do you know anything Of Judge Ste
vens's habits with regard to gambling or
frequenting gamblisg. houses?
a. I have been to Worsham's gambling.
house, where met Judge Stevens and many
other gentlemen Of high standing. did
not 90 for the purpose of gambling, but to
obtain better food than get at my hotel.
| sTHyBNs's GAMBLING PRoPENsITIRs.
@. Do you know of Judge Stevens having
| played at cards or any other game at said
house?
| A. l have seen Judge Stevens playing
cards as l was passing to and fro through the
house the game known as poker. saw no
money, but chips, and at one time saw him
sitting at faro-table with q number Of other
gentlemen.
"wHAr ARE CHIPS ?"
@. By Rev. Mr.. Massey: What do you
mean by "chips," and what are they de.
signed to represent! [Laughter.]
| A. "Chips" are pieces of ivory of differ.
ent color, used to orepresent money. Laugh
teri
@. On bow many different occasions have
you seen Judge Stevens at said housep
A. Not more than two or three times, and
| these occasions include the playing Of short
cards and faro.
Cross. questioned by Judge Sevens:
@. Do you know any act of mine or fact
refecting upon my judicial character.
| A. None whatever.
The committee adjourned till 4:3O P. II.
| THE MUTUAL FRIEND.
| Mr.. Alexander Hunter, of Alexandra,
| who acted in the difficult position Of mutusi
| friend in recovering from Judge Stevens GER
| tain funds won by him from Delegate Fowle,
arrived in the city Saturday morning. His
| first movement was to caA upon Judge Gui-
gon and to apologize for not coming to the
city sooner. He said he had not received
the summons, and did not know until be
saw the newspapers that his presence was
wanted. Mr.. Fovle telegraphed him to
come down, and he came. Judge Guigon
excused him.
Saturday evening Mr.. Hunter went before
the committee.
! NE. HUNTuR's EVIDENCE.
reside in Alexandria and ana q journalist.
III know nothing whatever Of the alleged
gambling, only what heard afterwards. I
received a telegram from Captain Fowle on
the 9th OF January, 1876, to be here at once,
and came on the same night train, and the
!. next morning (of the 9th of january found
him at the clubhouse, corner Of Third and
Franklin streets. Captain Fowle's condition
was such from excessive drink that | could
get no particulars whatever from him, only
that be had been engaged in playing cards
with Judge Stevens and had lost some
J money, the amount Of which he did not
know exactly. l saw Judge Stevens in
a large house back OF the Governors
mansion. l inquired of him il he won
any money Of my friend Captain
Fowle. He said he had won several thou.
sand dollars in bonds and check for $500.
After an interview he gave me to return TO
Captain Foule six $500 bonds and 5000
check, which check and bonds delivered to
Major Thomas Brander, Captain Fowle being
incapable at That time Of taking care OF
them.
MATE LOVE OF FAIR PLAY.
i Q..State if you know what induced Judge
Stevens to surrender those bonds and checks
Il A. I can't answer that question, as il
+ would be O mere surmse on my part; but
believe he surrendered them because his In.
ate love Of fair play and desire to have the
; whole matter quietly settled without pub
+ licity.
,, recollect I told him that my friend wal
= in desperate state of mind at the loss of the
money, and that thought it but fair tha:
o some amount should be returned to him.
Judge Stevens agreed with me, and surren.
dered the amount that I have already de-
signated, which | considered fair on biz
part.
ABOUT THz DUEL.
Il @, A statement has been published to the
effect that you informed Judge Stevens that
he would either have to surrender part OF
! his winnings or meet Captain Fowle in NOR.
tai combat. Was there any truth in thii
statement; il 50, bow much of truth.
+ A. informed him that the condition o
, my friend was such that unless some ar
rangement could be made / could not be re-
sponsible for his actions.
THB COMPACT.
Judge S'evens's words, as near as l can
give them, were: II giue SIP these bonds
] because I am disposed to be liberal" There
was an agreement between us in writing,
but have not that paper. 1t was paper
that wrote myself, that Captain Fowle
would justify any action whatever that
might take in this matter, and signed by him
/, Captain Fowle).