Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-04-18
More Testimony In the Phair Case.
A LErTER FRoM A BOSTON ExpII.T IN HAND
WEITISG.


IL the Editors n he B0st0a J0urHdl.
Previous to the trial Of John T. Phair re-
ceiyed a dispatch from a distinguished eX-
judge Of Vermont to meet q gentleman desir-
ing my professional services. From former
business interviews ! understood that ques-
toned hand-writings would be presented to
Inc for analysis and my opinion an expert.
| ubeyed TIA" summons and met gentleman
who introduced himself a. assistant or asso-
ciAte counsel in the John L. Fhair case. His
maine have forgotten. He took me to the
Adam. House and called upon the clerk for
certain register which was handed 10 him.
lie then led me to a retired at and took
from Lis pocket late letter from Phair, in
which he alleged in positive terms that he
never wrote the name e. +. Smith ST. Al
bans. VI, upon the Adams House Register.
nor was lac there under the date upon which
said tame was written. This letter in Phairs
own handwriting, in the hands Of his own
counsel, was to be the standard for compari-
son. With such pertinacity and address had
Phair uyerred his innocence that benevolent
individuals had contributed small sum to
dcfray expenses Of his counsel to Boston and
TO procure expert testimony upon the ques-
toned signature upon the Adams House reg
lister. The characteristics in the hand Of the
standard letter and the name registered "E.
F. Smith, st. Adams" were identical Su-
proposing either upon the other to b. viewed
as transparency, similar Letters and move
ments or succession of movements were the
same in curves, angles and joinings and in
principle, in every minute particular. This
was true of every part Of the letter standard
To explain From any letter or writing of
Phair's, having the letters that make up the
name of +. +. Smith. ST. Adams, Vt. the
name may be made up letter by letter aud ar
rau8td n NJ Ia lac almost Identical with that
upon the Adams House register. There could
be no chance for any forgery. After time
of close observation and comparison by su-
perposing and juXtaposition, the gentleman
said there could be no doubt but that the let
ter and signature upon the register were by
the same hand. Details have left out, and
have not quoted words, but only substance
and meaning Ii Phair wrote the letter
shown me by a gentleman acknowledging
himself in Phair's interest, he wrote the name
before referred TO on the register There was
no disguise Of hand in standard or signature.
The hand is one of practice enough not to
lose from school and copy exercises, but not
one of much practice beyond so as to i'm
prove in readiness by experience.
was treated in very gentlemanly man
ner by Phair's counsel with no expectation
that he would need my further assistance. l
desire now to make this reference TO the case
LOT the purpose OF Allaylng III the puDhc mind
the excitement arising from honest doubling
as to the identity Of the two signatures, Z. f.
Smith, st, Adams, and John p. Phair. That
they are identical is a demonstrable fact, not
an opinion depending upon preponderating
testimony. Let me close by saying that am
proud of my native State, in all her DISPOSE
tons Of this long, much agitated and impor-
tant case, of the unwavering conscientious
ness of her jurors, of the candid, yet rigorous
and just rulings of her judges, of the trust
and confidence reposed by her Legislators in
the State courts, and of the moderate forbear.
ance and merciful leniency OF her high exec
utive officers, Very respectfully,
ALBERT s. SoUTHwoRTH