Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-09-21

gettlng Up false evidence. One OF the thing
the Cornell letter witness told dI a hSn e
he would assist him, and would put his
smarttst men on the business; witness went
memorandum from Harrington to Nettle-
ship; witness at that time did not know that
anything wrong was contemplated: don't
him here on the 10Th Of March, and he said
that Oberworth, who came over with
Nettlehip. bad been arrested. Witness
that Oberworth was one of his men,
and be was released. That night witness
went to Harrington's house with Nettleship
had done nothing, and that he wanted men
who were worth something. Harrington
then spoke of the Evans books and said that
The memorialists would do anything to get
the books, and that they might have his safe,
where they were blown open; that the safe
was his, and he didn't care 1t was smashed
to hell. This was the first witness had ever
heard about getting the books; this was 90
the 10Th of March. Witness as ked If any one
would be be injured and Harrington said no,
said he would send the men over and get In
with the men and make the proposition
about getting the books. He was told by
Harrington to trust the secret to no one.
Colonel Whttley-Did you ever entrust ii
to General Babcock?
WI never did.
Witness went 70 New York on the same
night. Nettleship came over on witness
orders, and sent him back after telling him
what he had to do; did not then tell Nettle-
ship who to get; thinks IL was understood
that man named Ztrruth was TO come over.
witness came over again On the Sth OF
April; saw Gen. Babcock; don't know tina.
he saw Harrington on this OCCASION; don't
recollect what particular object he had In
calling on Gen. Babcock; recOIle;ts he asked
bow the Investigation was going on. and
Harrington kept him posted. There were
other persons present In the office, and this
conversation was opsn, but those present
mr. fol plh IL
what Harrington had told him Witness
came over again on April 9th, the safe nav
ing been blown 90 the 23d; saw Harrington
and also Babcock. In conversation with
Gen. Babcock the latter said something
about Harrington's bad management, and
remarked, 81 thought you were TOO smart TO
be connected with 1t, or something OF the
same import. Witness conveyed the idea to
Bebcock that Harrington and witness had
been engaged In IL, and then Babcock made
the remark. Don't think that Babcock made
any remark one way or the other as to
his having any knowledge OF the matter.
Witness went to see Gen. Babcock next at
vertation was on the stairs, and was in
May. Witness went to see him about the
Investigation of the secret service, and told
him that his administration had been hon.
est. Ba6cOck said TO him, "Stand by your
guns, and I'll protect your rear" Witness
did not suppose that Gen. Babcock was en-
tue gale burglary, for he (B had sent him
to Hal rir g ton: o,
have for surprising that General Babcock
knew of the safe burglary.
Witness replied that he never talked of the
affair. Witness told Babcock that Blufori
Wilson was his enemy, and General Babcock
Witness had an Interview with Harriug
ton at the Metropolitan Hotel in New York,
Harrington having sent for witness; don't
recollect that SOmerville was there; told
Harrington that he had got them all In q
scrape, and Harrington replied that he was
boss OF affairs here an would protect them.
Told him that Somervi.Ie wanted his fee for
| defending Brown (Benton.) Witness had
| told Somerville about defending Benton
Witness complained of Benton being kept In
| jail, and recOllects that he told SOmeIville
| TO use his best efforts; recollects that Somer-
VILE came TO him and said Nsttleshtp and
Miles had been 10 Washington, and asked If
1t was ell right, and he had ans wered tn at IL
| was. Persons of Miles and Benton's charac.
ter are often employed In the detection OF
| crime. Witness went TO Babcork's again,
| and General Babcock sent for Harrington.
| who came In, and they had a converse ton ,
| General Babcock not being present. wit
| ness told Harrington that acknowledgement
| 1t 10 Somerv1lle. Somervile had said he
| would not come on again unless money was
money in lgetting Benton out of jail. Wit
| ness went TO Long Branch in the fall OF 1875
| 70 see Babcock ABOUT Cunz ana Del OMae
| places, for they had been badly treated
(CuDZ was entirely innocent OF the safe bur-
| glsry.) 1t was suggested that witness should
| 90 over to Europe In charge OF bonds. Wit
ness did not know that Babcock wanted
him to get out OF the country, but witness
thought 1t was good time 10 get away
RecOllects that Babcock said something
| about "sliding out"
| Judge F.-Did be not say "slide back?n
| Whitley-I didn't understand It SO; wont
say that he OBJ did not say, "If anything
Turns mp Jon can slide back"
| Witness went to Colorado in September
| and returned in the spring.
| Judge F.-When did you "slide out?''
| Witness.-I didn't 'slide out" "slid
| Witness received q letter from General
| Babcock, which he had given the investigat-
Ing committee proctor Knotts) at the COM
letter witness had written. Witness don't
recollect saying that this letter was q very
expressive letter; don't know that he had
dictment was found. Witness had seen
Proctor Knott previously, and told him that
II he obtained Immunity from punishment
fair. Witness knew OF the amnesty letter
| when he gave bis testimony before the COM
mittee. Witness told Proctor Knott who he
and probably gave the name OF General Bah,
cock.
| The original letter referred to not being at
hand, Judge Fullerton read what purported
to be copy, which the witness said was q
true one.
The letters are without date, and that of
L
| Whitley, that the matter was attended TO-
| the men will be paid, &c.
The letter of Colonel W.. to which this was
| an answer, was read, and 1t proved to be au
| appeal to General Babcock to assist him
! (Whitley) in obtaining his pay, In which he
| refers to his ten and half years OF faithful
| service.
Witness said that he had an interview with
| Gen. Babcock in March, 1876, with Mayor
| Rice, OF Pueblo, In which Babcock said
things looked squally, but ne guessed that
| 1t would blow over.
| Witness was Ques toned at length as to his
testimony before the committee, and was
asked Did you not intend to convey the
Impression by your answers that you knew
Witness replied that they did not ask the
proper question, and said 70 Mr.. Fullerton:
II y0u had cross examined me they would
have got all.
Judge FeThen would have had better
luck than have had Today. fLaughter.l
Witness said, technically he had answered
correctly, for there was no burglary when q
@. Did You answer the committee that you
bad known nothing about the safe?
A. was between two fires then. They
were talking Of one safe and thought or