National Republican., 1883-03-23
DORSEY'S BOOKS.
The Secretary and BOOkkeeper Of the Ez-Scna-
tor on the Stand.
Some Of the Testimony Of RerdeIl Dis
proved by the Witness,
Cross-Examination Of the Witnesses BY Mr.. Merrick
--DOrsey's Signature Questioned.
Wilbur r. Kellogg Testifies ms TO Rerdell's
Memorandum Book.

an the criminal court.
Mr. Ingersoll called Theo. w. Torrey, of
New York, to the stand for the defense.
Witness had occupied an Office in the Borell
building with Stephen Dorsey. Went there
In January, 1880, remaining until May, 1881,
acting as secretary and bookkeeper for Dor
sey. On May 1, 1881, removed to las Broad
way. Remained there until the last week of
1882. Occupied rooms and 8, at las Broad
way in June, 1881. Witness was in full
charge Of Dorsey's business, drawing two
thirds of his checks and in possession Of his
books and papers. Witness personally occu-
pied room No. 6, and it was impossible for
any one to get into room No. without passing
him. r. f. Mullins also had desk in room
No g. There were two desks and safe in
No. 5. The "new book" and tin box con-
tanning Dorseys papers were kept there.
First saw Rerdell in February, $780, Did not
give a red book or any book to Rerdell on
June 10, 1881. Never saw him at that office,
and he was not there on that day. There
was no book such as described by Rerdell in
witnesses custody, or any book resembling it.
Never saw books bound in red leather
in the office, and they could not have
been kept there without his knowledge.
Saw Stephen Dorsey on tho evening of
June 10, 1884, at his room in the Albermale
hotel.
Fixed the date because Dorsey asked him If
Rerdell had been in the office. Left New
York on Feb. 21 last for Europe and was at
sea ON Feb 20.
In February, 1880, Rerdell brought two
check books to the office. One was on Mid
dleton g. Co. and the other on the Citizens
National bank. Rerdell afterward took the
Middleton book, but it came into witnesses
possession again. There were only two small
mil ka in xyf N
1850. Rerdell was never in the office ut 1i5
Broadway. Mr.. Gamble sometimes occupied
Mr.. Dorsey's desk in room after Dorsey
left. Never received any abstracts of books
or copies of books from Rerdell.
Cross examined by Mr.. Merrick. His reason
for making so short a stay (three days. in Lon
don was because Dorsey cabled him to come
back; his testimony was important to him. HIS
employment by Dorsey tapered off; believed
that it ceased in January, 1889. Did some
little local business for him after that Sent
Dorsey his books and papers after the last
trial. Received a check for 800 from Dorsey
in May last regarded it us Il present Dorsey
had been very kind to witness, and when his
boy died in May last he gave him his check
for 81 900. So witness believed there was
nothing due to him on account of service.
Witness wrote to Rordell about a certain
entry in the books kept by Kellogg Did
that because Dorsey was absent, and witness
thought that Rerdell knew something of his
business for when Rerdell was in New York
he drew few checks. Was positive that
Rerdell brought only the two check books in
February, 1880. Did not remember whether
or not the correspondence antedated this
visit, but it was some time in February, 1880
Witness wrote to Rerdell because he was
extremely desirous Of opening the new and
closing up the old books could not remember
anything definite about the entry in ques-
tion.
Witness wrote up the books from certain
books in his possession and books that Rer-
brought there The discrepancy in the en-
try (25 cents or $25) could not have arisen
from any abstract furnished by Rerdell-be-
cause no such abstract had been furnished
and Rerdell was never in that office.
Mr.. Merrck suppose we bring two, detectives to
swear that they followed Rerdell and saw him en-
ter the office?
The court ruled out the question, although
Mr.. Merrick managed tn assert that he would
produce two postotice inspectors to swear to
the fact
The witness said that the books he had kept
were mining and railway books. Knew
nothing about the routes, and they were not
mentioned in his books but they would show
payments by checks to subcontractors. While
in New York in February, $780, Rerdell drew
anumber of these checks, all on Middleton &
Co.. for this purpose.
Q. Don't you know that Bosler paid all Of the
BuDcontractoTs at that time?
A. He did not. Dorsey paid them all.
Witness had run over the books at Dorsey Is
house yesterday was alone at the time. Had
talked over three or four points of his testi-
mony with Dorsey. Did not know whether
Rerdell kept q set of books. The latter made
out between twenty and thirty checks, could
not tell for what sum whether for $500OO OF
$500. Did not know whether or not Rerdell
had the books before him when drawing these
checks Witness entered up these checks in
the cash book just as Rerdell filled in the
check books, giving the name Of the subcOn-
tractor, of Rerdell &c.
Witness kept no account of money paid to
the men employed by Dorsey to look after
his mail business, and did not know whether
or not Rerdell did. Knew nothing of set
tlement between Dorsey and Bosler in the
summer of 1880. Believed he saw Bosler in
the Office once during that time, but there
were SO many persons trooping in and out
that he could not be certain how often he
called.
Mr.. Merrick asked how he could be so pos
itive that Rerdell was not there, in these cir
cumstances. The witness said that he knew
Rerdell well, but was not so well acquainted
with Bosler-could remember with great dis
tinctness who called at the office ut l45
Broadway, because the visitors were so few
in numbers 1t was different in the Borell
building there was rush of visitors there.
Witness never paid mail debt for Dorsey by
cash or check only drew checks in payment
Of Dorseys private accounts.
At Mr.. IngersolPs request the witness de-
scrbed the three books kept by Kellogg, but
could not name their color, being color blind,
as he said. His books contained no entries
against William Smith," or Samuel Jones'"
Would have remembered if q man took book
from the Office at any time.
Mr.. Merrick asked why the witness had
sworn that there were no red books, when he
had acknowledged that he was color blind.
liz said that he could manage to distinguish
the leading colors.
At this juncture bit of plaster fell from the
ceiling and struck Mr.. Merrick upon the head
"lhat is ominous." said Mr.. IngersOll with mock
solemnty, looking up, while the spectators tit
tered.
,"l,ll bring him down as brought that" replied
Mr.. Merrick,
Exactly" retorted Mr. Ingersoll, "Just on top o
YOU" lLaughterl
Robert +. Mullins, of Brooklyn, was next
called. He had occupied room q with Mr.
Torrey, at 145 Broadway.
Mr.. Ingersoll pointed to Rerdell, who sal
facing the witness, and inquired if he had
ever seen him.
He replied in the negative saying that he
never saw a man take book away from the
rooms, and never saw any books, such as de-
scribed by Rerdell. Had the combination o.
the safe, and 1t contained no such books. Wa:
in the office every day in June, 1881, barring
Sundays. Rerdell would have necessarily
passed within four or five feet of witness
when passing into room 8. There were NJ
account books in the latter room outside OF
lhA safe