New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-08
AgALYziNG WHITTAKlgRS WRITING.
COMPARED WITH THE NOTE OF WARMING

COMPARED WITH THE NOTE OF WARNING!
EXAMINATION OF ONE EXPERT IN HANDWRITING AT
TIE WHITAKER OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BLANCEs WHICH HE FOUND.
There weremany women at the Whitaker trial
Yesterday and remained through the entire
proceedings listening with much interest TO the e1-
pert testimony ss IL 1t had been discussion OF spring
fashions. General Miles presided, dressed In civilian
clothes Major Gardner offered evidence several OF
whtakers letters and requlsllon OF his for postage
stamps Mr. Chamberlain made no objection, and they
were received.
The direct examination of William E. Hsgan the ex-
pert was then continued In speaking Of the letter OF
warning said that there number OF indications
In the formation OF the letters that Its author
had attempted 10 disguise his handwriting Additlonal
lines had been added 20 several OF the letters for the pu
pose apparently, OF disguise. Hsgan then compared
words taken from tho letter OF warning TAKEN
from the other exhibits OF Whittakers handwriting
These showed much paralleisn. he thought "a was
generally found in the writing Of the same person at d
ferent times the general resemblance Of the writing
in the letter Of warning and III the exhibits was clear
and distinct The witness sa1d he should
have no hesltaney in stating that IN
his opinion, the writer OF both was INC
same person. Every one was liable to make mistake
however, and unless had other things to confirm his
opinion he would not be confident that he was right
There were certain physical peculares Of the writing
however which strengthened his belief. MOST persons
write nv means of the he said, but In this
casa the second finger was the most powerful motor
This was the case in marked degree than In any
handwriting the witness had ever seen. - The
rhythm Of mere motion Of the writer was not good
and caused certain peculiares in the formation OF
certain curves which could be detected by means OF the
microscope. There were certain pecuarities which
could not be initiated
In reply TO questions Of Mr. Chamberlain Mr. Hagan
stated that he had been engaged in business as an eA
pert in handwriting for eight or nine years anu hau
probably appeared in court as a witness thirty or
forty times There had been 247 specimens OF hano-
writing of different cadets furnished him, and he had
called for additional specimens of certain numbers
Mr. Characterization many OF the papers hau u IT,
81 attached four Of them to my report. These fur
nished positive proof in their way"
You could not find in the Others then' ths rosei
II could not nd it. perhaps because did not exam
inc them closely enough. was tired. ana my eyes were
wearied by three days use OF the microscope AheSe
Major Gardner-I don't the object of this form OF
MIR CbamberlanMy object is clear. II is 70 test the
resemblance only four, another theory might nave
been formed from the other six. Could you turning 10
the wltness have identified the handwriting from the
other six samplesf
~ have no means OF knowing now"
"Does q person usually write as well when ne at
tempts TO disguise his handwritlngP
@ think not, probably" 49,, -,
In reply to other questions OF Mr. Chamberlain the
expert said he could not see that the letter OF warning
was written gracefully than the other ex6lDlts
asked separate words IN the e1hblt anu
acknowledged that they did rot resemble the letter OF
warning ~, .
Dlance proves as mucn as d reselnDLncei
Perhaps So" . -, --,--