The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-29
AUDIT0RIAL INQUIRE
NOT THE FOUR BOXES, BUTT AT BIG
BLACK TRUNK.

BLACK TRUNK.
How 1t Escaped from the statc-EHous
and where 1t Went.
The Auditorial committee met yesterday
Present: Messrs. Aldige, Leeds aud Desmsrais.
Capt. Joseph H. Lawler, Of the ex-Metropoi
tanB, was called
AS THE FIRST WITNESS,
and In response TO interr0gations testified tba
he was on the police force from March IL, 1874
until the force was extinguished. Gen. Badger
he stated, was in command at tho State ous
up to the 9th Of January. Remained ut the State
House until April 25. and was the captain |,
charge OF the men % we'll as chief OF staff to Gen
Badger. The men OF the Third Precinct were IL
the Secretary Of States office. Had some In tn,
Auditors Office after the end Of January. Regu
lar reports were not made OF everything tina
came in or went out OF the building.
The witness was questioned as 10 his knowl
edge OF the removal Of books and papers from
the Auditors office, he replying that he knew
moro OF II through the papers Chat from persona
knowledge; might have made detail Of men Il
take the boxes out. though did not of course
know what the details did after he gave the order
Capt. Flanagan
WAS IN CHARGE
OF the Auditors office. Don't know Of anything
that was carried off.
Mr. Aldige stated that the committee had In.
formation that q large trunk came out of the
state-House through the old bank building on
the third Sunday in January, and asked if the
witness knew anything about it.
He replied that he did not remember il, but
did remember that some bedding came out Of
the hospital, and it might have been possible
that he gave the order to let 1t pass. Knew
nothing about the trunk being passed by his
order.
Mr.. Aldge-on the second or third Sunday in
January large trunk went out from the Auditor
office to the bank building, where Sergeant Ga
browski had II stopped, and we have information
that you gave orders to let anything pass that
came out Of the Auditors offi,e This trunk was
put on cab. Now we would like to know IL You
gave such orders
Witness-I would, perhaps, have given such
orders, but
DON'T THINK DID.
II Johnson or Sholtz had made such o request
/ might have given such an order, however.
Know nothing Of books being taken from the
Auditors Office; heard some OF the police officers
say, however, that papers were being burned
Never knew and don't know now where the books
are. Know that some military papers we're taken
out and Gent to Gsn. Badgers house. The police
outside were stopping everything ana put up
little job to got these papers out they being pri
vate papers.
On She night before we left the Btate-House
many things were taken out, including arms,
which were taken out In various waye, some OF
the men stufing them in their ocsts. down their
backs, or
IN THEIR TROUSERS LEGS
FIRST taking them to pieces. Our men frequently
got out through tho Orleans Hotel when orders
prevented their leaving, and the soldiers In the
hotel frequently passed through the State
House.
Capt. Geo. L. Norton was next sworn, holding
up his left hand while the oath was being I'D.
mluistered.
by Mr.. Aldige.-when last on the stand you
testified that you knew nothing about the books
or papers being taken from the Auditors office.
DO You desire now to make any correction in that
statement2
The witness None, only that might have
been present ut the Auditors Office or Custom
house when the books were taken away or re-
ceived, but did not know IT, In my direct ex-
animation / stated that knew nothing about
this matter only from hesrsay. say now l
might have been present In the Auditors Office
or Oustomhouse when the boxes were taken TO
the former place, though did not know it. Did
have conversation with johnson. but IL referred
only to
HIS PRIVATE PAPERS.
BY Mr.. Aldiso-Dd you not 60 to the house,
No. Rampant street, and request the lady to re-
ceive trunk from the Auditors Officer
Witness-I may have requested her to receive
a trunk, but do not remember OF making any
statement relative to the trunk coming from the
State House. Did not call on her and ask he. to
came to the house where MIR. johnson and myself
roomed and was kept there, as his private papers
were in it, TWAS about the time that Mr.. Jumel
refused to give Mr. johnson his private property,
desk, ETC., left in the Office, and johnson asked
me to take charge OF the trunk. When my family
returned l took it to my own house, aud VIXEN
Dir. johnson wanted it
SHIPPED IT TO MOBILE.
Mr.. Aldige-The lady, Mrs. =, testlfisd first
that she knew nothing about 1t, then when the
committee brought forward the man who got
receipt for the trunk, she testified that you called
ON her. Did you not call on her after that, and
ask her not to say anything about the trunk2
Witness-l may have told her not to tell any
thing more than she knew; to be careful not to
say anything she could not prove. Told her che
would likely have to 60 before the commi tee
the conversation being only general
MIR. Aldige-Did you know, or had you any
conversation as to the contents of the trunk?
Witness-Mr. johnson told mo, perhaps, that
he had only
HIS PRIVATE PAPERS
in the trunk. No precaution was taken about the
trunk until after MIR. Jumel had said that John
son could not have his private property without
resorting to the courts. Never told the lady that
the place was not safe for the trunk.
MIR. Aldige-The committee find that the trunk
WAS taken from the State House on q cab to No. 8
Rampant street, and have that from the csbman
himself. II is found, too, that Mr.. Johnson's
messenger or porter, "Chris," met the trunk
there and assisted in taking the trunk upstairs
to the garrett, where II was placed with some Of
your own trunks, and after that you removed it.
The witness-1hat is mistake as to days and
dates. did take it from No. . Rampant street,
though ! did not know what was in 1t, and
state under oath that did not know whether il
contained State records or not. Know that john
son had
PRIVATE OFFICE
At NO. kampart street, where he paid half the
room rent with myself. Do not know where the
trunk came from. Had general conversation
with the lady, but do not remember particularly
what said to her; don't think told her not to |
say anything about the trunk, |