The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-10
THE SHERIDAN SUIT.
HISTORY OF A CURIOUS TRANSACTION AS TOLD
by THE PLAINTIFF wHALEN.

HISTORY OF A CURIOUS TRANSACTION AS TOLD
by THE PLAINTIFF wHALEN.
The proceedings in the case Of James A. whalen
VS.. General Sheridan, before Judge Wallace and
jury in the United States Circuit Court, were
ieved from the auness that has hitherto character
lied them by the production on the part of the de-
fence of a number of affdavits of Whaen, the only
witness examined which appeared to be in direct
tradiction of of the statements given in his evil
dence. AT half-past three o'clock the Court asked
Mr.. Beckwith whether it was worth while to con-
tinue the crossexamination any further and,
after short consultation with counsel, adj
journment until this morning. at eleven. TAKEN
The following is a summary of the crossexamina-
tom
James A. whalen said he was in business at New
York. in 1858. and that he manufactured watch move
ments at No. % Maiden lane; he went to New Or
leans in 1862, and was then worth from $4,000 to
$4,000, and went into the plantation business; he
carried on the Kloona plantation alone, but for the
firm; the lease made out to Whaen, Morgan &
Conlon; that was the lease under which he held it
i'll 1865; he knew L. H. Slater met him in 1865; he
did not make any agreement with him by which he
could obtain possession of the plantation.
Tho witness admitted that he and Morgan had
interest in the leasehold and other property
nected with the Kiloona plantation on the sth of
August, 1867.
@. Did you not on the lst Of January 1867 execute
lease to NJ T. Taylor. by which you surrendered
the plantation, and for which you were to receive
rent of $1,000, A. Yes, but this nothing but q
swindle, and was done to protect myself.
q. Why did you enter into simulated lease and
confess judgment A. About the 25th of November
1866 Mark Hoyt sent Mr.. Morgan up to the planta-
ton and said that Mr. Hoyt then stopping at the
ST. Charles Hotel and that Hoyt wanted to me;
Mr.. Morgan and went down to Hoyt; Hoyt
asked me if knew that Griffin and Porch nso-
VENT that their paper was selling on the street at
fifty cents the dollar and that If let them have
my crop / should lose it, l told him
that l did not think and that I would
go and inquire about it.; did inquire
and found it Hoyt said; Hoyt said 1t no
shipping them that crop and said that he had got
give me note for $4,000 and will buy it in for
you and pay you Interest," told Hoyt did not like
that plan, but ultimately fell in with it; the prop
erty was put up for sale and it was bought i'll for
my and Morgan's interest. and that was the way we
protected ourselves; after few months found that
Mr.. Hoyt going to take the whole crop and all he
could get; was obliged to do the best could
A number of afidavits and answers to interroga-
tories which the witness had signed and sworn to
read which contradcted parts of his test-
mony and he explained this by stating that he signed
and swore to documents without reading them, and
because his attorneys told him they 'al
right" He discontinued that practice, he said
the close of the Mark Hoyt suit. In reply to
Mr.. Beckwith as to whether he had read the com
plant in the present suit before he to it, he
said he had. Mr.. Beckwith then read tho clause in
the complaint in which it is alleged by witness that
Sheridan seized certain number of hogsheads Of
sold by Slater three days before the issue OF
the order. and that Sheridan only got the money.
This answer caused great laughter and the Court
Immediately adjourned