Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-07
The Alleged Patent Stone Swindle.


Warren c. Stone, John w. Mcknight and James
A. Thorp, OF the "American and European Stone,
Marble, Tile and Paint Company" charged with
obtaining 81 900 by false pretences from NJ C. Rer-
dell, by inducing him to subscribe to worthless
stock, after our report closed, Mr. Rerdel who was
on the stand, was further questioned as to the
ownership OF the money he had invested, and said
naa custom OF giving his money to his wife to
money. Extracts from the patent controlled by
the company, setting forth its claims, admit
Jeremiah Wilson the witness {RerdelD said he had
received q proposition from Stone to trade two
houses for his stock He admitted that he had
He said If the company made any stone according
TO the specifications of the patent he would pay
croSS-examined the witness. and brought out
statements from him that he had not been en-
ployed by any company to pursue Thorp Witness
admitted the truth OF report of his utterances
before special committee Investigating Arkansas
elections In 1872, In which witness said he coun-
Selod the frauds Witness admitted having made
a false statement to Attorney General Macveagh
IN the role OF detective to ascertain the cause Of
1.-THE prosecutions OF ex-senator Dorsey" who had
not then been indicted in the star route cases.
The witness was further cross-examined by
MesSrS. Cook and Oliver. The hearing was then
ad 1Ourned until to-day.
CONTINUATION OF THE EXAMINATION THIS AFTER
NOON.
To-day the examination was resumed before
Judge Smell. Before the case was called q plat
form was erected in the court room, on which
there were a number OF samples OF artificial
stone, mostly imitation marble
Mr. Rerdel was recalled by the government, and
being asked II he observed anything peculiar In
the specimens, said he had one having the card OF
Mr.. Mcknight embedded in it. Mr.. Rerdell then
went to the exhibit and pointed out one which he
Mr.. Rerdell said he had seen the charter and
bye-laws OF the Camden company:
Mr. Coye said that he proposed to show by this
book that ThOrp and Leathers had made a buSt-
ness OF going round organizing companies: that he
the other side to show that Rerdell was working
In the interest OF rival companies.
Rerdel was In collusion with other companies, and
he thought that 1t was not unreasonable that
Thorp was connected with other companies, for he
ofer '' ''''' >'''1 '''' '''' 'u''u 'u' '''o
Cross-examined by Mr. Merrlck.-I am the man
who is indicted in the star-route cases as NJ c.
RerdelL
OTHER TESTIMONY.
l. L. Johnson testified that he was connected
with the company, having bought an interest In
Mr.. Meningitis patent, and subsequently in sur
rendering this interest for the stock. He paid
so shares OF stock OF 500 each.
The defense objected to this testimony. and
wanted to strike it out, but the court declined
By the government-I received $40 In stock for
every 81 subscribed.
Observation-Disclosures had faith in the ma
was good stone.
DR.. D. w. Bliss testified that he saw some OF the
stones made, and he, with Gen. John E. Smith,
of the army. was induced to subscribe, and he
took $4,000 In his own name, Gen. Smith having
an equal interest with him. Witness had paid
nothing yet but expected to pay.
CrOSSexamined-Dfd not remember that he had
pany. but thinks he may have done so He had
not received the stock, however.
Thomas SOmerville testified that he was at one
time president OF the company, and had $50 LOCO in
the stock, for which he had not paid He had
subscribed $40, 600 10 two instalments, and had re-
asked him to join the company, and told him his
stock should not cost him cent. Witness was
not president now, having resigned in February;
Mcknight had promised to give him the formula
according to which the stone was made to hold for
the company; but he had never done so. Wit
ness resigned the presidency because he was not
satisfied with Mr.. Meningitis answer when the
trustees asked him for the formula