National Republican., 1882-12-21
DICKSON7S DEFENSE.
The Accused Denies ALI the Statements Made
by Colonel" Bowen.
His Version Of the Meeting at Drivers,
and What Was Said There.
Counsel Smith Says That Bowen is WHOLESALE
Liar,
Which Statement is Objected TO by Mr.
Wells, and Is Ruled Out.

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of justice.
"You are charged" said Mr.. Smith, "with
corruptly influencing Mr.. Matthew McNelly,
one of the star route jury. What did you do
of such a characterF'
"I know of nothing" said the witness,
"that would warrant such a constructions"
Tho witness then narrated what occurred
in the jury room after the jury retired. First,
a discussion arose as TO the propriety of read
| ing the indictment, and it was decided that
in all questions arising majority vote should
determine it. Two informal ballots were
taken four voting not guilty and eight
guilty After this Mr. McNelly, in a some
what violent temper, said that he had
been approached by parties who tried
to influence him through his relatives in the
interest of one party. The witness told him
that he ought to have called the attention of
the court to it. The discussion ran on and
was general cad then Mr.. Mccarthy called
attention to an item in paper saying he had
been approached, which he denied. Then
Mr.. HOmead spoke of being approached by f.
| ii. Fall. Then Mr.. Mclean, in a spirit of
curiosity, as witness thought asked him what
the facts were in the case. The witness said
he had written down the facts at his house
one night with the intention of presenting
them to the court. He told Mr.. Mclean that
he had his paper. Several of the jurors de-
sired him to read it. He said distinctly that
he would with the consent of the jury, but
not with the intention of influencing the jury.
| A vote was taken with the result that ten
voted for the reading and one against it-wit-
ness not voting; witness believed that all OPP
position had been withdrawn before he read
the paper. After the reading McNelly said:
"That paper should not have been read" To
which remark Holmead replied, "You are the
man who started this thing" McNelly then
questioned its truth, and witness solemnly as
serted that twas correct recital of the facts.
The paper read in the jury room (Which wit
ness held in his hand) was prepared at 11:50
o'clock on the night of August 23 at his house.
He informed Judge Wylie of the attempt
upon the following morning. After the re-
turn of the verdict
WITNESS ASKED JUDGE wYLIE
if he should make an affidavit as to the facts
but the Judge advised him not to do so, saying
the entire subject would be iudicially investi-
gated. On the day following, September II,
witness heard that Asst. Dist. Atty Moore
was investigating the subject. Went three
times that day to see him, without success.
Referring to the time when he first informed
Judge Wylic of the attempt upon him. witness
said the Judge appeared to be dazed by the in
formation. Recovering, he used some strong
language condemnatory of the attempt and
| then requested witness to inquire carefully
1
preached. He promised to do so, but on
the occasion of their next meeting he had no
| information to communicate. He subsequently
! learned from Holmead that Fall had been
acting in a peculiar way. Then Doniphan
told him of man who had approached him
and exhibited money. Doniphan told the
man " You are following a dangerous business
you will get yourself into trouble. want
nothing to do with you" Several of the
jurors spoke of being followed and spotted
but as that was also the experience of the
witness, he took little notice of it. Witness
first saw Bowen nearly eight years ago; met
him on the street, and
BOWEN INTRODUCED HIMSELF,
saying he had often been taken for Col Dick
son, and had endeavored to represent him
creditaby. Met him, with Hoover and others,
at Drivers, on August Is. Witness was with
William Rice, of Florida. general intro
duction took place, and they sat down to some
refreshments. 1t was then that electricity
was spoken of. On the afternoon of August
49, as witness was dining with Driver, Bowen
came up to the table and, uninvited
pulled up chair and sat down facing
witness, who suggested that he join
them. He excused himself, saying he
was dining up stairs with some gentlemen
In few minutes Bowen placed his hand on
witness knee, and said, " | want to talk to
you about these star route matters" Wisness
had heard from the attendants that Bowen
was seeking him. Witness declined to say
anything about those matters, Bowen said,
81 was told that l could speak to you about
it," Witness turned, and, rather snappishly,
said, You are mistaken, sir"
BOWEN LOOKED CREST FALLEN AND SAID
"Well, / must be-" Some ono called him
at that moment, and witness looking up saw
Cameron at the door. He spoke in low tone
to Bowen, who came up to witness, apologized
for leaving, and went off with Cameron
Driver laughingly asked, What is the
matter with your friend| Witness asked
for paper and took seat in the garden.
After some time he was Joined by several
gentlemen, Messrs. II. I. Gregory, John Ward
and Prof. Cardello. Then Bowen came in
and sat down. A proposition was made
to go up on the balcony, and witness
went up there because it was more com
Portable. He was followed by Bowen
who sat down at the same table with
witness. After running comment upon the
performance, Bowen leaned on the balcony
and holding in his hand q paper which wit
ness had several times noticed, said, Il want
TO have a talk with you" Witness said
"Colonel, l have no objection to talking with
gentleman at any time" Bowen then said
he had been
AUTHORIZED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
to see witness. He referred to the interest
|
believed the evidence sufficient, and spoke o
the assaults by the newspapers upon the de
partment. The attorney general regarded
the case as a legacy from MacVeagh, who with
James had terribly mismanaged it. His eye
sight had given way from reading the volu
minous testimony, but he intended to take ar
active part in the trial. Bowen added
"There is twenty-five in it for you" Witness
asked; "Twenty-five what-what do you
mean" Bowen explained that he ueant
$4,000; that the money could be placed in
escrow, and everything arranged satisfactory
The attorney general had been telegraphed
for, and would probably bo in Wash
ington on tho following day. II
witness doubted him (Bowen) he could ar.
range an interview with the attorney general
for the following evening at Wormley's. Wit
ness said, "That is a. startling and surprising
statement" Bowen answered, 81 am author
lied to act in this matter" and exhibited his
commission and Tidball's letter. Witness
said he had nothing to say, and did not care
to consider the matter. Returning to his
home he wrote the statement which had been
read in the jury room, and which witness held
in his hand.
Mr.. Smith. And Is that correct record OF
the conversation between Bowen and yOurselfi
Answer. Every line written there is as true
as Gods holy writ" The witness then de-
tailed his movements on August 81 and %,
declaring that he did not see Bowen ON those
days, and that he (wimess) was not al
Drivers, as Bowen had stated. He had re-
ceived Bowens card making the appointment
for the meeting ut Drivers from Henry, a
colored waiter at Drivers, on August pa AT
$40 o'clock, and had indorsed it upon the