Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-03-29
THE STAR REUTERS.
Some Side Cleans Thrown on
the Subject by Prices
Testimony.
How Money was Paid to Bra DIV.
The Star Route Conspiracy.

The Star Route Conspiracy.
WASHINGTON, March 24.-Before the
commissioner, A. c. Bradley, was taken
to-day the deposition of James B..
Price, in the suit of Walsh VS.. Brady
for the recovery of money alleged to
nave been loaned to the defendant by
plaintiff. The witness, J. B. Price, on
being sworn said that he was a citizen
of Missouri; knew Z. ]. Brady, and
also John A. Walsh. Said that he
never had any financial transactions
with Walsh.
AT this juncture the counsel fol
Walsh presented to witness for identifi
cation, drafts amounting in the aggregate
to $4,000 These drafts were in the
custody of Blackman, an employe of
the government, as they are part of the
records of the post office department.
These drafts are as follows, two postal
drafte of 81 $50 each, both drawn at
Washington, July 18th, 1880, to the
order of j. B. Price, and by himself
endorsed, against the pay on route No.
31,l20, from Indianola TO Corpus Christi,
for quarters ending Sept. 30th, 1880,
and Dember 3lst 1880, witness identi-
fed these two drafts as having been
endorsed by himself, and also postal
drafts, each being drawn for 50 00G
and dated Washington, January 10Th.
1879, against his pay on the following
named quarters: on mail route from
Corpus Christi to San Antonio, Texas,
quarter ending March 81, 1880, quar-
ter ending June 30th, 1880, quarter
ending September 305h, 1880,
quarter ending Decemb er 81, 1880,
and for the qurrter ending March 81,
1881. These drafts all bore in addition
an endorsement of ]. A. Walsh. wit
ness, being asked as to whether or not
that was Walsh's endorsement, re-
piled he was not familiar with Walsh's
signature and that Walsh cCald testi
fly on that point, on being asked to
whom he had given these seven drafts
he declined on the ground that he did
not believe any one had right 20 pry
into his private affairs.
Being pressed for reply, he said he
declined answering on the ground tnat
he was under Indictment, mainly, as
he was informed, by reason of the tes-
timong given b. Walsh, and further,
his answer might tend TO eliminate
himself Quite a discussion ensued be-
tween counsel, at this iuncture, as to
the relevancy of this testimony in an
action brought by Walsh to recover
money alleged! to be loaned by him 10
Brady.
Counsel for Walsh maintained the
relevancy and that it would very soon
appear, if witness wonlG answer ques-
tions. Price betrayed some excitement
at this iuncture and said 80 far as he
was concerned he would not have testl-
fed at all in the case, but for the re.
quest made by Senator Cockrell This
counse) and Mr.. Kerr. Counsel for
Brady asked him what Kerr he re-
ferred to, He replied, Mr.. Kerr OF
counsel for the government.
Price, on being asked if it was not
fact that the plaintiff had for over a
year been trying to get his deposition
in the case, admitted that it was; and
further said that If the Indictment
against him Price, was nolle pressed,
he would tell all the facts relating to
the drafts in question. He did not ue-
HVer any OF lnem 10 Oeh' DIauyj HOI
had he done anything that ne would
not do again.
Brady then asked Price whether he
has even given Brady 81 500 in postal
drafts and 81 500 in cash He said ne
had not. Counsel for plaintiff then
asked witness if it was not the fact that
he had placed on the desk of the sec
ond assistant Postmaster Gen. Brady,
an envelope containing s.. 500 in postal
drafts, and 50 500 in cash. Defen-
dant's counsel vigorously objected to
this question but witness said he would
answer in his way which he did as fol-
lows: "He admitted he had placed on
Brady's desk in the post-office depart
ment all envelope containing 81 800
in postal drafts and s., 500 in cur
rency addressed to a. III. Brown
asked Rrady to see that Brown receiy-
the same. He was asked by plaintiffs
council who Brown was, and replied he
was mail contractor and had been
formerly employed in the postoftice de-
partment.