The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-02
THE STAR ROUTES.
Some of the Correspondence Be-
tween the Alleged Conspirators.
How Rerdell's Books We're Fixed Up.

WASHINGTON, March This morning Rer.
dell was examined by Merrick. He testified
that Dorsey kept several bank accounts other
than the account at Middleton's Dorsey had
agreed TO pay him $4,000 at the end Of the
contract term, contingent upon his proper CEN
duct OF the business and upon the profits of
the concern. VI
Wilson endeavored to draw from the wit
ness relation of a conversation between
Wiltshire and himself in relation to whiskey
cases.
Upon objection by Mr.. Merrick that it touch
ed relations between counsel and CLIENT the
inquiry was not permitted.
Mr.. IDgersoll thought it was most important
to show what had been said on that subject
he understood it to be held in that case that
when the government uses man as witness
1t implied promise on the part of the govern
ment not to punish him.
The court disagreed with this view and said
that no court had power to restrain or stimulate
the executive in the exercise of the pardoning
power.
At the conclusion of Rerdell's testimony
james Bosler of Carlisle, Penn, was called to
the stand and denied receiving letter from
Rerdell directed by Dorsey.
Several employees of the Western Union
Telegraph Company testified that messages
sent by that company were destroyed after be-
ing Kept for six months, which was intended
to prove the destruction of the messages al
legged to have been sent by Dorsey to Rerdell
lSerdoll was then recalled.
Bliss renewed his demand upon the defense
for the production of the letter books
Mr.. Ingersoll took the position that the letter
press book was secondary evidence which the
defence could not be compelled to furnish,
The court said they were anticipating the
case.
Rerdell said Dorsey wrote a letter to Bosler
May 13, 1879, which witness copied in his letter
book. 1t first proposed to Bosler to take an in
terest in the business. Then followed state
ments as to how much Dorsey had already paid
out, the profits and amount estimated to be
necessary to swell the profits to 100000. Dor
sey instructs Bosler to call upon Rerdell for in
formation in his absence. It gave the amount
paid to 1T. j. b. $1,000 in round numbers
(amount credited to IS. W. D.') He thought
that was $4,000. The statements showed the
profits at that time were $54, eco and that there
would be an additional amount (about $40. 900
or $20,000) TO be paid ST j. B.'' There was
also an amount of $4,000 on account of
some borrowed money.
A second letter from Rerdell TO Bosler was
read, in which the former says he should en-
deavor to delay his examination before the
committee, and that he could not produce the
books and papers asked for without Dorsey g
consent. He continues Gen. B. very much
alarmed, and he and had a long conversation
to-day, during which he made several valuable
suggestions which I will follow will not
produce the books until authorized BY YOU or
Dorsey to do so, as shall claim am his attor-
ney, and as such not required to divulge conf
dental letters "
Mr.. Ingersoll then cross examined the wit
ness He said he had one of the letters copied
to show the Government Mr.. Ingersoll asked
If it did not astonish the witness when Bosler
teleoraphed him he saw no harm in showing
the books to the committee. Witness replied
mo, as Bosler had no knowledge of the man.
ner in which the books wers kept.
Mrs. Alice g. Cushman was then called tn
the stand. She had resided in Rerdells house
during the summer of 1881. Rerdell went
West during that summer.
In conformity with written instructions from
Rerdell witness found the letter book in an old
vaiise and put it in her trunk She
knew Mrs Rerdell and went with her to the
once IN Corcoran building while Rerdell was
In jail. The house was in confusion Thev
look some papers from his desk and carried
ination.
Mrs. Rerdell was then called and corrobor
ated the preceding witness in relation to Rer
dell's western trip and the papers found in his
:. James W. Donnelly, government clerk, tes-
slneo tnat ne mad known Dorsey ten wears.
Their relations had been intimate. He aid
not copy any books for Rerdell in 1879 but did
IN 1851 de had first seen the book from
which he copied in 1879. Rerdell called him
In II. to balance and straighten out the books.
There were two-a journal and ledger. They
were about the mail business of a firm. Tba
names OF the Dorseys and Rerdell were men
toned. There was mail account. expense
account, profit and loss account, VIM. Smith
account, account with j. w. Dorsey, account
o. MS own and several other things Did not
the books from the fall of 1879 until the spring
OF 1880. When the copies were made some Of
the accounts, notably the civilian Smith. -
were omitted from the copies. Rerdell
marked with pencil the entries he wished
a n not IL
amount of the Smith account but believed it
was about ,OC0. In balancing the books
that amount was carried to the profit and loss.
Two or three accounts were SO transferred
he worked two evenings and one whole night
at copying the books. because RerdelI said be
wanted them by a certain time. That was II,
April or May. Witness bought the copy books
at RerdelPs request, getting them as near like
the original as possible. He made the balance
sheets In August and December and received
$zo for copying the books. Rerdell paid him.
he never received any pay from Dorsey.
On crosS-examination he said his memory
had been refreshed in relation to the Smith en-
try only by q conversation with Rerdell, who
called II to his attention and said ''Smith was
one OF the men" He did not remember any
Lilley, McGrew or 81. B. B." He made no
charge or entry by Dorsey's order. When he
copied the books Rerdell told him he was fix
ing them for settlement and had made mis-
taho. NO one mad threatened to have him
turned out If he refused to testify.
In answer to Mr.. Merrick he said he held the
position of chief of division of accounts of the
general land office. Some of the copying had
been done at Dorsey's house and some at wit
ness house. He owed Dorsey $1c0 for money
obtained in 1877 and that was charged in the
books. He had worked out that account.
In answer to Col. Ingersoll he said Dorsey
was not then living in the house.
Charles r. Gifts, cashier at the Ebbett
House, then took the stand. He had known
Rerdell since the fall of 1869. Between Christ
mas, 1873, and March, 1880, his wife and him
sell copied books and papers and letters for
Kerdell. He rem embered entries under the
heads OF Rerdell, s. W. & JW. Dorsey.
Steele, Smith. Jones and Jennings Rerdell
said he wanted to send copy to Dorsey, who
was then in New York. His wife copied the
books In four or five days and witness verified
the work. His wife was now very sick and
could not appear as a witness
On cross-examination he said that durine
this trial Rerdell had come to witness and
asked II he remembered the names of Smith
and Jones' Witness did not remember at the
time. Possibly he had told many persons that
he did not remember the names, His memory
was now perfectly clear on this point.
In answer to the Court, the witness said he
had not desired to be called as a witness but
afterwards remembered q conversation during
which those names had been mentioned. he
considered 81. W. Steel" as a strange name.
Witness also remembered the name Of Perkins.