The New York herald., 1878-12-05
SHERIDAN IN COURT.
PROGRESS OF THE wHALEN LAWSUIT AGAINST
GALLANT PHIL"-AS AMUSING WITNESS

PROGRESS OF THE wHALEN LAWSUIT AGAINST
GALLANT PHIL"-AN AMUSING WITNESS
TURNS UP.
The cry Is, still they come" at the United States
Circuit Court, where the of James A. whalen
and General Sheridan is trial before Judge Wallace
and jury. Though the proceedings for the
most part OF an unusually dry and legal character
the il crowded to the doors with well dressed
and evidently business men, who desirous OF
glance at the two notable personages in the court
room-namely General Sheridan and General Butler.
Having satisfied themselves with glance many of
these visitors retire. but only to make room for
steadily recurring stream OF other sightseers
The witness Thomas L. Decon resumed his place in
the witness chair at the opening OF the proceedings
and testified to the value Of the property He
then cross-eAamined by Mr.. Bcckwith. He said that
he attended ~ witness at the request of Mr. Whalen
that he had been promised reward Whatever
for testying in the case, and that while he in
Cuba ho wrote letter 10 Mr.. Montgomery in refer
ence to this suit
ron yUsitcE's SAKE.
This letter handed 20 the witness, and after 1t
was read by General Butler who objccted to its
PRODUCTION, Judge Wallace admitted it. 1t read
follows
FRIEND MosrGossnr-Ycur kind letter of the spth of
s is % o % S I N %on a S hp Il psss because has
is n three days which would make il rue Impossible for
charge o. gcntlemans watch business until the litl Of
but ihought coad on there At the time the
on would anaer any circumstance hays hnser 10 me
true. very plainly now that ser using rs tool
to har, jim ,5oSrh lie 6s. acted With srss,
sa aSsssn %s "1es eo.ds ns. ee.. sdes y and
had had his money have never had cent but that trs
jim got the day fefisl sii II he think. he
Shs s s psor promised 80 viz M ss s @ aS shan 90
have not received word about The sui, since left,
Now wish you would do thir III the docs come
20 the opposing LAWYER tell him TO demand the witnoss T.
lives In Havana and can be brought 10 court by weeks
notice. that will take the wind of Mr. Morsans sss
produce him witness Be careful what you say 70
1ss o y % ap pes 9S invite e e he
house ~ after 20. tha, took place
know y It, very Kind Of her, and beg to return her
Now friend let me beg Of you 20 keep all this TO
self You can at least have one good lick at the men who
~" ~ won g. . n an T n. I'p"s es .
for Jim's position IN fact for all there for
longer young and caunot with the
THOMAS l. DEcoN
| An amusing cross-examination followed In which
the witness endeavored to explain away some portion
of the contents OF the letter amid the laughter of the
audience. His most frequently repeated answer
was. II desired that Justice should be done
Mr.. Morgan Morpans. Jr.. was the next witness and
cnrroborat.d hc previous testimony to the value
of the plantation and the property thereon He added
also that he had an interest III the suit lie knew of
insurrection about the sth Of August at the
plantation in any part OF the State The diiicuty
began when witness got to the plantation aud the
seizure was made. In reply to the question OF GEN
eral Butler whether he heard that there was an
order from General sheridan for the seizure OF the
plantation the witness said that he had heard Of IT,
General Butler then asked defendants counsel TO
Mr. Herrck said that they had not the original but
| they had a copy. and he produced IL.
General Butler in lona argument asserted that the