Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-16
STAR R0UTERSSTARTLED
RERDELL GIVES EVIDENCE FOR
THE GOVERNMENT.

Damaging Disclosures The Gangs
Methods shown Up-WaIsh Again on
the Stand-The COnspiratOFs Reported
to Have Taken Leg Bail.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-In the star
route trial to-day the monotony of the tes-
timOny in repetition of that given on the
first trial was enlivened somewhat. After
the cross-examinatiOn of Postmaster
Launsberry. of Bismarck, Dakota, had
been concluded, Rerdell rose and in a clear
voice said:
IF the court please, desire to make
statement in my own behalf.''
Profound silence prevailed for a mo-
ment. The court looked surprised, but
counsel for the defense seemed to be pre-
pared for the blow about to follow. The
court finally said:
'YOu can make it,
Rerdell then proceeded to read rapidly
the following statement:
If the court please, de-
son, and in my own behalf. After ma
ture reflection and full considera-
tion of the whole subject, I have
determined to abandon any further
defense in this case, and put myself at the
mercy of the court and government, and
ii desired TO do so by counsel for the gov
ernment, to testify to all my knowledge of
any facts with reference TO any of defend
ants, either against or for them, myself
included. Therefore, L now, in person.
ask leave to withdraw my plea of not gull
ty, heretofore interpOSed, and enter nv
plea Of guilty, and, in so doing
put myself on the mercy of the court.
feel this to be duty / owe to myself nv
family and truth. | have arrived at this
in a inTnT1 1FarV
tions and responsibilities, and without
any previous consultation with my cOun-
sci, who, l believe, would not have adj
vlsed me to this course, and whom | now
relieve from all and any responsibility for
the course l have adopted.
"Wel, on my part there is no obiec-
tion," said Mr.. IngersOll abruptly. ''This
is somewhat unexpected"
81 presume" said Mr.. Wiltshire
RerdelFs counsel, ''that Mr.. Rerdell has
exercised right that belongs to himself.
Therefore nothing is left for me to do but
to withdraw from the case, or at least
from further participation in the case.'
The Court-The defendant who has just
spoken desires to withdraw his plea of
not guilty and enter one of guilty. The
clerk Will make the entry.
John Walsh was then called to the
stand.
The Court remarked-AIr. Rerdell, /
suppose, will remain under his present
bail. The court will pass no order at
present.
Rerdell and his counsel then left the
room, and Mr.. Walsh proceeded to relate
his story of the interview between himself
and Brady.
Walsh gave his testimony in deliber-
crate, imperturbable manner. Brady had
taken seat directly in front of him, and
was looking him steadily in the face,
Walsh only occasionally returning the
gaze. The testimony was a substantial
repetition of that given during the first
trial.
After the recess RerdeI was put on the
stand, and occupied it until the court ad-
jOurned. His testimony justified all the
anticipatiOns raised by his statement in
the morning. 1t cOrrObOrated about all of
the witnesses the prosecution has put
upon the stand, and contained much that
seems new, and bears hardest upon
Brady, Dorsey and Vale.
The following are specimens from among
many similar ones in RerdelPs testimony:
After describing a trip West, which he
took at Dorsey's suggestion, Rerdell said
he met Vale. Immediately upon his re-
turn, he went to see him at his hotel.
| Speaking of the affidavit on
the Rawlin White River route,
Vale asked how they could
get an affidavit in lieu of John DOrsey's
affidavit. At that time, March, 1879, S.
w, Dorsey was quarreling with Minor
and Vale, and refused to allow his
| brother TO furnish the affidavit. Vale
said he thought he could get Brady to
| accept an affidavit from the sub-cOntrac-
tor, and within few days reported that
Brady had consented to do this, and by
Naile's direction witness wrote out a
| blank affidavit, and sent it to Perkins. the
GIIh-pOnfFQpfOr cff
| came back signed with the spaces re-
/ served for men and animals untitled, ac-
/ cOrding to direction.
| Mr.. Merrick presented the affidavit to
! witness, who identified it, and said the
words, lone preceding trip" ''three
preceding men," ''siX preceding animals"
The eight preceding men and twenty
| four preceding animals had been
| filled in by himself by direction
| of 5. W. Dorsey, who also suggested
/ the numbers. Witness filed an affidavit
! and the letter of transmittal in the de-
/ partment by DOrsey's direction. He was
| then an ex-senator. Witness signed the
name of j. W. Dorsey to the letter of
! transmittal in March, 1879. Peck and
/ John Dorsey were not in this city, and
| when witness again left for the West in
| April, John Dorsey was still absent.
| Subsequent to his employment by Dorsey
| the latter got up new form of sub-cOntract
authorizing any provision for expedition
| TO sub-cOntractOrs. Mr.. IngersOll object
| ed to this evidence. He said they tried to
made out fraud when they provided for
| expedition. 1t was all fraud when they
! did not. 1t was fraud either way.
Witness said he again went West in
/ April, 1879, where he made new sub-con-
| tracts and got up petitions. His instFuc-
| tiOns from 5. W. Dorsey were to prevent
sub-cOntracts from being filed. Dorsey
/ said very few of the sub
contractors knew anything about
4 expedition. He was to be careful and not
I tell them in that case as an excuse for
negotiating new sub-cOntracts. He was
| TO tell the Sub=cOntractOrs that the old
! firm had dissolved and that he dorsey
would see that they were paid, if sub
contracts were not filed, He had prepared
number of blank aftidayits signed by
John W. Dorsey and Peck. Whenever
necessary either witness or 5. w. Dorsey
I took one of the athdavits and filled the
number of the route and the number of
men and animals.
The court inquired whether or not refer
ence was had to any route named in the
/ indictment.
Mr.. Ingersoll declared that he wanted
to know all about the affidavits. Taking
| up one of the atfidayits, witness said that,
| although the body of the paper was i'll the
handwriting of w. f, Kellogg, a Notary
Public, yet the figure opposite ''men and
animals and the number Of the route had
been written in by s. w. Dorsey.
Rerdell has been under the protection
of the court for some days, as he feared
an attempt upon his life. RumOrs are
afloat tonight that Vaile, Dorsey and
Brady nave left town. Col. IngersOll
says tonight that so far as these rumOrs
affect ;. W. Dorsey they are untrue.
/