The New York herald., 1879-02-28
THE PAIGE TRIAL.
TESTIMONY OF SEVERAL IMPORTANT WITNESSES
HOW THE GOODS WERE PRocURED-sTETsoN
RECALLED-wHAT MILTON SAYS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

| HOW THE GOODS WERE PRocURED-sTETsoN
REcALLED-wHAT MILTON SAYS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
Boston. Feb. o. 1879.
| The case of the Commonwealth against NJ. Frank
Paige was continued this forenoon in the Superior
| Court before Judge Colburn, and the attendance
was as large yesterday, If not larger.
Tho District Attorney continued to bring up
proofs of the purchase of United States bonds by
Paige through his agents. with the money he was
systematically taking away from his creditors.
George d. Cummings testified that he in the
employ of Brewster. Bassett 4 Co.; in September.
1873. he sold Stetson $4,000 in United States bonds
Jason d. Hammond. of saxonville shoe manufac-
turer knew Paige; at home election day; Paige
arrived there about a quarter to eleven A. NJ. and
stayed till ten minutes to three p. NJ; he left Bos
ton at half past nine A. NJ and reached there on re-
turn at five minutes past four p. NJ there is only
one train each way daily between Boston and Saxon
ville the factory is Mr.. Page's, carried on in his
business.
Charles s. Barker. also of Saxonville. threw some
light the factory question. In September. 1878.
he was in Page's Office Summer street. Boston,
and conversed with Paige. and the latter said that
he had none but special partner; acting for
Hammond. who then in bankruptcy. Paige
bought the Saxonvie factory two weeks before then
from Hammond. The special partner in the business
was Mrs. Whicher, who had $4,000, according to
Paiges representations.
Several witnesses called to show the close in
timacy between Paige and Stetson just prior to the
disappearance of Stetson, their meeting at Cottage
farm and their transactions with checks and notes.
Seth winslow deposed to depositing checks for
Paige in Bunker Hill Bank and TO going to Bati
more at Paiges request. meeting Stetson. coming
with him as far back as New York. and then seeing
him sail for Europe a steamer. The Stern note
then shown to Mr. wnslow and he asked why he
offered it. Witness answered. IL had it in my pos
session Paige at the house of Mr.. Billings.
in Camden street; it in September October;
he took an envelope with United States bonds of
his pocket and handed it to me- went with Paige
when he bought diamonds; don't recollect
whether he said they good investment not"
The District Attorney-Did Brock show you any
paper indicating that he acting under authority
of Paige?
Mr. ives-I object.
The District Attorney-Did Brock show you any
paper which purported to be telegram?
, Witness-He showed me paper written in black
white
Cross-examined by Mr.. Ives-when Stetson
handed me the Stern note in Baltimore under
stood he had refused to come back to Boston;
through French. to Trowbridge; these stetsons
| edge; didn't know either Trowbridge French;
saw Paige the day after election: he told me that
1
| o day or two after he showed Stetsons
letter: received the checks from Paige on Thurs
| day; Paige first asked me to go to Baltimore on
| Saturday; ho told me Milton had gone there;
Stetson in the forenoon Of Sunday anfhe said then
| he not going back to Boston.
William T. Messenger was in the employ of Paige
| in October and November; met Paige at the Post
office the Sunday before elections walked to the
| store with him; remained there ten minutes and
left him there: gave him check had received;
| Stetson on election morning coming out of the
| First National Bank; this about half-past nine
| A. Nj, gave him check from Galveston was
| standing in the entrance of the bank: Louis Stern
| was present. an agent in Boston Of Park. Lynch 4
| Co.. of Texas they had an account with Paige -
| Crossexamined by Mr. Ivcs-Was in the employ of
| Paige on the 5th Of November. soliciting goods and
| merchandise consignments: the check handed to
| Paige for 1921. Witness was asked il he
| ever saw a check marked "dupcate unpaid" and
he replied in the negative. He was then shown the
| check handed to Paige. which bore these words).
| South for whom he acted agent. received goods
for ,hcIn in consgnnents from different manufac-
turers in all sections of the country.
MILLIONS TESTIMONY.
Walter 7. Milton testified that he was in the en-
ployment of NJ +. Paige last fall to look after the
receipt of goods he was in the store on Wednesday,
the day after election; saw Paige then; do not
recollect having any conversation with him;
\ at ten O'Clock; Thursday he asked
| me into his private Office and said he wished to
be ready to go to Baltimore to try and find Stetson
remarked, Perhaps Stctson has gone to Chicago"
Paige stated that stetson had spoken to him few
he did hnR e
there; Paige at the same time stated that ut the
| timo he istetson) spoke TO him he Thought
| he would let him go; Paige told when /
got TO Baltimore to go to the various auction houses
and il heahad not been there; also to dodge him.
Paige gave $50 for expenses start with he also
instructed me not to speak of the matter to any
one; he said this in my presence and two or three
others; arrived in New York Friday morning, the
9Th; that night left for Baltimore where arrived
Mt half past eight O'Clock Saturday night; went to
the Calvert Hotel went TO other @ hosss ~, 10 TRY ana
the register ut the Eutaw House; sent Paige by
telegraph the following message:-
BALTIMORE. Nov. o, 1873
Mr. Fnaxx P,cF. o Beacon street =
Stctson is here ut Eutaw House, room III. JACK.
Paige spoke TO me the last Of August about Stetson
sending of goods in his Stetson's name; he SAID he
had heard that goods had been sent off In Stet
sons name; / told him that this could be found out
by seeing the consignee's name; Paige then sad:-
IF they were all as close-mouthed as there would
be trouble"
Witness was cross-cxamincd ut some length. but
facts were elected.
sr.rsoN's EVIDENCE.
Charles T. Stetson, Page's partner, again
called to the stand The check for s2si from Park,
Lynch Il Co., Galveston, Texas, was shown him. He
said no had received it and handed it to Paige The
50 4Gs 10 signed by Stern he received from
Paige on November q he kept the same in his pos
session until November IL. whom he gave 1t to Mr..
Winslow.
Adeiinc Hall. mother of stetson's mother-in-ia
testified that she went 70 Mrs. Stetson saturday.
| November q; saw Mr. Paige, and asked. "what
does all this mean about Chariic all the reports
in the papers trucT Paige replied, These things
| should never have come out" Paige said he
| sorry Charles wife was not in.
wHEELERs EVIDENCE.
Frederick l.. Wheeler testifed:-I am q Wholesale
boot and shoe dcaler about July 10 Paige into
my store. and said, Fred I will now look Mt your
goods VIC had some talk to prices, and he wanted
| four months time; began sending him goods. and
| taking his notes for each lot; had four notes;
| after delivering him large quantity of goods l
/ went I'm and him. and told him that had heard
| some reports about him. and that had offered his
notes to a friend of mine; this between
August % and "a; 1 told him I had difficulty
| In placing the paper: II had previously spoken
| TO stetson about it;) referred to his
| keeping fast horse, losing money in his business
and his fast habits; aftcrward continued delivering
| him goods up TO October. amounting to about
| $4,000; have been In business thirty-two years
| and have never known principal in Arm to con-
sign goods In clerks to auction house for
sale. Mtcr . sharp cross-cxamnation of this wit
the court adjourned until tomorrow morning.
A DESPERATE TAILOR.