National Republican., 1883-02-16
The Prosecution in the Star Route Trial Gains
An Ally from the Defense,
Who Explains the Possibilities Of the Ser
vice as it was Explained to Him,
He Says Dorsey Once Sent Him Forth 10 Prevent Sub
contracts from Being Filled.
Vho Views OF Attorneys, Defendants, and
Bondsmen on the New Feature.
THE CONFESSION.

Tho court said no notice would be taken OF
the circumstance, and Mr.. Wilson proceeded
with the cross-examination of Postmaster
Lounsberry, of Bismarck, ID. T. He testified
that il was his belief that by no power on
earth could the mail have been carried in
severe winter on sixty-five hour schedule.
At the request of the court, Mr.. Lounsberry
(who is editor of the Bismarck Tribrme) gave
very interesting and vivid description Of
the bad lands of Dakota, with their ever
burning subtcrranean coal fields. gigantic
smouldering buttes, and arid, scoria covered
wastes.
At the conclusion of this testimony Mr..
Rerdell arose, and in clear voice said If
the court please, desire to make
STATEMENT IN MY OWN BEHALF"
A profound silence prevailed for n moment.
Tho court looked surprised, but counsel for
sbc defense seemed to be prepared for the
blow about to follow
The court, finally, said: "You can make
it." Rcrdell then proceeded to read rapidly
the following statement:
"If the court please, / desire to make n
statement in person, and in my own behalf.
After mature reflection and n full considera-
tion of tho whole subject have det mined
to abandon any further defense in this case,
and put myself at the mercy of the court and
the government; and, if desired to do so by
the counsel for Tho government, to testify to
all my knowledge Of any facts with reference
to any Of the defendants, either against or for
them, myself Included. Therefore, now in
person ask leave to withdraw my plea OF not
guilty, heretofore intcrposed and enter my
plea Of gut. " and in so doing put myself
upon the mercy of the court. feel this to be
a duty l owe to myself my family, and tho
truth. have arrived at this fixed dctcrmina-
ton upon my own reflections and response
bilities, and without any previous consulta.
tion with my counsel, who, believe, would
not have advised me to this course, and whom
/ now relieve from all and any responsibility
for the course have adopted"
well, on my part there is no objection"
said Mr.. lngcrsoll, abruptly.
This is somewhat unexpected, presume"
said Mr. Wiltshire (Rcrdell's counseD, " that
Mr.. Rcrdell 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 she 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 tho entry.
JOHN WALSH
was then called to the stand.
The court rcmarked Mr.. Rerdell, sup
pose, will remain under his present bail. The
court will pass no order at present"
Rerdcll and his counsel then left the room,
and Mr.. Walsh proceeded to relate his story
of the interview between himself and Brady
He gave his testimony in deliberate, I'M
pertuDable manner. Brady had taken seat
diSectly In front of him, and was looking him
steadily in the face, Mr.. Walsh only occa-
sionally returning the gaze.
The testimony was a substantial repetition
of that given during the first trial. He told
how the interview had been arranged to take
place at Sheridan's house; of Brady's explana-
tion of the methods of manipulating the con-
nate a,.In hi ugtn Pom nff hn ntnfT
due by Walsh on account of his route Wit
ness said that Brady asserted that he (the wit
ness) owed $4,000 as his pro rata oil the eX-
expense attending the passage ofthc star route
appropriation bill and other congressional ex-
penses. Witness denied the justice of the
claim. Brady also said he owed him so per
cent. of the remissions of fines on his route,
and thought he would find that he BRADY
owed witness nothing. Witness then related
how Brady had seized the papers despite his
protest, and how Brady had dcfed him to
proceed against him BRADY in the courts.
Brady, he said, advised him to sell out.
How did you part" inquired Mr.. Merrick
al was very philosophical, and he seemed
to be satisfied" answered the witness. (Coun-
sci laughed softly.)
The witness said Brady had cited to him
the Peterson drafts in proof of statements as
to the usual practice of the contractors
Don't interrupt him" said Mr.. Wilson.
AZ thought you wanted to stop him." re-
piled Mr.. Merrick.
Il have begun to enjoy it," said Mr.. Will
son, land am willing to let him make any
statement he pleases"
When the court reassembled after recess,
counsel for the defense, after short consul
tation, declined to cross-eXamine Mr.. Walsh,
and he was directed to stand aside.
Rerdell was then called to the stand by Mr..
Merrick.
RERDELL's TESTIMONY.
He testified as follows:
Became acquainted with $. w. Dorsey In Decem.
Der. 1872. Met John Dorsey III the spring of 1875
at Senator Dolsey's house on street. First met
Peck about 1868, 1869, or 1870. Became acquainted
with Brady in the spring of 1879. In August, 1870,
district government; at the same time acled as
Dorsey's secretary. Miner had an office IN the
third story Of Dorseys house in January and Feb
were irequenters OF Miners office. Early in Feb
ruary, 1878, the night before the proposals were
put IN, witness began his connection with the
mail business, Early on that evening Miner
asked witness to assist him, Witness hesitated,
sist Miner, When he got up stairs Miner
Informed him that he wished him TO
help MIN n% up me proposals. Sd n Miner thN TeGd
and cents in the bids. Part OF the time Senator
Dorsey was present, and part of the time Boone
was present. Believed Watts was, also present.
Witness worked untll about ! o'clock. Miner
read of the figures from book containing the
u conversation with Miner about the book at his
. home on street. Miner showed him the book,
and told him who filled in the figures. He snid
the figures were in Senator Dorsey's handwriting.
Peck was not in Washington ON the night when
the bids were prepared, Last saw Peck IN Wash
tngton in the summer OF 1876. When the bids
were prepared witness understood that Peck was
not at Chico Springs, N. N. .. ru
One morning IN June, 1878, witness went to Dor
Sey's house nj his request. Dorsey had before him
large number Of communicauons. lio tossed
them over TO witness and asked him Il he knew
what they meant, Witness read about dozen.
They were communications from the Postohice
department addressed To Dorsey, Peck, Boone,
Miner, and perhaps Watts, Dorsey asked him To
take charge of The, business and the witness
carried them down to his office in the dis
take away the business from Boone, who was
then attending 10 II, saw Dorsey again on the
night following; told him he thought ho could
attend to the business after getting little further
Information. Dorsey directed him 10 go "a
Boone's house and get all the papers connected
stand what papers were wanted. Witness did as nc
wns directed, aud got large case OF pigeon holes
full of papers Took them 10 Miners room In
DOrsey's house, and devoted all of his spare lime
TO the business, writing letters to subcontraotors
aud Others. About July or 10 Dorsey asked him
affirmative, ana by Dorsey's direction put IN his
application for leave OF absence. Dorsey said he
would see that he got II, Witness was To go west
10 assist JOhn Dorsey in putting service ON the
bismarck Tongue river route, Lett Washington
on July IL, Received instructions and 81, 800 from
him to the German American National bank, aud
placed 10 the credit nf John w, Dorsey d Co. $1,000
Mitness signed the firms name, John w. Dorsey
Il Co., upon the books. When witness returned ho
negotiated three blank notes signed john w. Dor
sev 4 o. and endorsed IS. w, Dorsey. Did not re-
tta had ha nia