The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-02-17
Gen. BabcOck on Trial.

In the case of Gen. Babcock, on trial at st.
Louis on the charge of completely with the
whisky frauds, jury was selected on the Sth,
and Dist Atty. Dyer delivered his opening
address, in which he said he proposed to
prove that there was a conspiracy to defraud
the revenue; that Gen. Babcock was in cor
respondence with the conspirators during
the existence of the conspiracy, and that he
received money directly from Joyce for his
share in the proceeds of the frauds. The ev-
idence offered, the attorney said, would in
measure be circumstantial, but there would
not be link missing in The chain. Joseph
NJ. Fitzroy, clerk in the Revenue Collect
or's office, was called to the witness
stand, and, on being asked to state
what he knew about the operations OF
Megtue, in 1871, objection was made. on
the ground that the evidence would only be
of hearsay character, as witness did not
enter the Collectors office until May, 1873.
The Court decided that the witness might
answer the question, with the understand
ing that the ruling of the Court on its COM
potency would be given thereafter. The
witness then began to speak about Megrue,
when defense again objected, and he was
withdrawn, and a MIR. Thompson, distiller,
was called to the stand, and gave his
tory of his connection with the ring; ex-
planned how he made crooked whisky, etc,
etc, all of which had been stated numerous
times before. During the examination of
this witness the defense objected to all qucs-
tions not directly relevant to the indictment
against the defendant, but Judge Dillon
ruled that testimony to establish the exist
ence Of the conspiracy might be given, and
witness gave tolerably full account of the
ring and its operations. Fitzroy was then
recalled, and was asked if Megrue ever paid
him any money, when objection was again
raised, and the court ruled that evidence re-
lating to the conspiracy in 1871 and 1872,
might be received, and subsequently ruled
cut if found to be irrelevant to the case on
trial. Adjourned.
SECOND DAY.
Acting under the advice of the court, given
Just before the adjournment the day before,
the Government counsel passed over the con-
spiracy in 1871 and 1872. and produced tes-
timony to show the existence and operations
of the whisky ring from 1878 to 1875. No di-
rect evidence was brought out against Gen.
Babcock, the testimony being general in
character, tending to show who were the
conspirators, and the extent of the conspir
acy.
Deputy Collector Fitzroy testified that he
met Gen. Babcock ut the Lindell Hotel, in
September last was introduced to him by
VIM. O. Avery; witness was then under in
dictmcnt for completely in the frauds. 1t
was simply an introduction; there was no
conversation.
Rudolph w. Ulrich, distiller, and John F..
Siedentopf, his foreman, were sworn, and
testified as to the manner of manufacturing
and disposing Of crooked whisky, the amount
OF money paid to revenue officers, and the
way money was raised to buy off revenue
agents, where Irregularities were discovered
by them.
II was stated by tie defense that they had
intended to have the personal attendance OF
President Grant as q witness, but this was
not now thought to be necessary, and prop
osition was made and agreed to that the
counsel on both sides should arrange for the
taking Of the deposition Of the President.
Such an arrangement was made, the deposit
tion to be taken on the 18th before Chief-
Justice Waite, the proceedings TO be con-
Quoted like an examination in open court,
both sides to be represented by counsel.
THIRD DAY.
VIM, j. Bsssett, gauger In the ring, and
Abijah N. Everest, collector for the same par.