Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-15
RERDELL's CONFESSION.
A BOMBSHELL IN THE STAR ROUTE CAMP
INSIDE HISTORY OF THE FRAUDS.
AFTER RECESS

AFTER RECESS
Mr. Welsh resumed the stand for cross-examin-
alton, and after a hurried consultation between
counsel for defense, Mr.. Wilson said the witness
could stand aside, the counsel having decided 10
waive cross-examination.
Rerjcl On the Stand.
After several witnesses had been called and not
answered, Montfo ord c. Rsrdell was called to the
stand. Rerdell, who had returned to the court
room, took the stand and was examined by Mr.
Merrlck He said he first became acquaintedwith s.
W. Dorsey in December, 1882 he met John W. Dor
sey In the spring of 1878, at s. w. Dorsey's house
in this city. He rst met Peck in 1868 or 1852 rst
first became acquainted with Brady In the spring
or 1879 Witness was not sure where s. w. Dorsey
lived in 1875, but thought he was then boarding
on lOth street. In the autumn OF 1873 witness was
appointed TO position under the District govern
ment, and held that of1lce and also the place of
moved to 1871 street in the fall or winter OF 1871
witness occupied an Office In the front basement
room. He Cid not remember OF seeing Miner tn
January. 1873. Miner had an ONCE In the third
story OF DOrsey's house in January or February,
1913 Wftress remembered three persons who
Watts, from New Mexico, and Senator Dorsey.
WITNESS KNOWLEDGE OF TIE MAIL BUSINESS
began early In February, the night before the bids
or proposals for mail service were to be put In.
Witness went to Dorseys house that evening to
see II any work was to be done Dorsey said there
when Miner asked him II he would not GO up
stairs and assist them. Witness hesitated.
was Dorsey directed him to CO. When
it was finishing up proposals. Wines witness took n;
lars and cents III the blanks While Miner read the
amounts from book. Part OF the time s. W.
Dorsey and Boone were present He thought
portion OF the time, though he was called down
stairs several times. Witness worked till about
Witness thouubt tbe hoo,, M,na- ,.oa contained
book afterwards Miner spoke TO him about it in
December, 1878, at house 2l4 c street northeast
where Miner and witness were living.
IN THE HANDWRITING OF SENATOR DORSEY.
Miner said the entries In the book were In the
handwriting OF Senator Dorsey. Peck was not in
the city on the night when the proposals were
finished. Witness did not remember ever seeing
witness had letters dictated to him by Senator
Dorsey, addressed to Peck In New Mexico, at the
time The proposals were being finished.
n the latter part OF June OF the same year Dor
sey sent to witness to come to his house> 1t was
in the morning. When he arrived there Dorsey
envelopes which he asked witness to look over
and see II he could understand them. Witness
found that they were all communications from the
Dorsey. some to Miner, some to Peck,
some to Boone, and. he thought, some to Walls
could aKa charge Of aSs Ssnee them and
was new to him, but he would consider the mat
yer. Dorsey said Boone was attending to the mat
ter-the business relating to the mail service-but
ne intended to take IL away from him (Boone.)
Witness thought that was all the conversation
they had that day. On the next day, the wit
ness thought, he went back to the house
and told Dorsey that he thought he could
take charge OF the business after getting some In
formation. Dorsey then told him to go to Boones
mouse, where Boone would turn over to him all
the papers relating to the mall service. and that
Boone understood what papers to give him. Wit
ness went to Boone's and got large lot OF papers
and the case containing them. Witness under
stood that he was to attend to the bushes after
ONCE hours. Witness took the papers to Dorsey's
house. and all the time he had he spent there.
devotlng himself to the correspondence and
other matters arising from the business
RERDELLs TRIP WEST.
About the 9Th or 10th OF July Dorsey asked wit
ness II he wanted to take trip through Dakota
and Montana. Witness said he would try to get a
leave Of absence from the District government
He made his application, which was granted, and
on the 18th OF July he left for the west
He was to go west and assist John
w. Dorsey in putting service on the
route from Bismarck to Tongue River. Before
leaving he received instructions from Senator
Dorsey. from whom he also received 81 800 Dorsey
went with witness to the German-Alnerican Ma
tional bank, corner OF eth and F streets, and ar
ranged that he should draw on the bank In the
name OF Jno. w. Dorsey & Co., to whose credit he
placed In the bank 5000.