The Portland daily press., 1883-02-17
THE STAR ROUTES.
Rerdell Continues His Testimony.
RUMOR THAT MINER WILL FOLLOW
RERDELL'S EXAMPLE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 49, The criminal court
room was filled this morning with an expectant
throng to hear the continuation of Rerdel's
testimony. The witness testified that Minot
handed him petition on the route from
Mineral Park to Phoebe and requested him to
interline the words "three trips on a schedule
of 60 hours" Something had been erased in
that place, but the witness did not remember
what 1t was or who made the erasure IL was
either Miner OF himself. The number OF the
route had also been changed.
Mr.. Merrick presented the witness with
petition for expedition on the Ehrenburg and
Mineral Park route signed by John Dorsey.
The witness had never seen it before.
another paper was shown, purporting to
have been signed by J. w. Dorsey.
The witness said it was not in John Dorsey s
handwriting, and at the date set out in the
paper (November 26, 1879 John Dorsey was
either IN Montana or Dakota. He could not
say who signed the name.
Two letters in Dorsey's HANDWRITING were
identified by the witness and read bv Merrick.
Inc witness continued. S. w. Dorsey in
Structed him to prepare an affidavit on the
Toqueville and Adairville route. The witness
requested him to make calculation Dorsey
said he (the witness) could do it himself It
Was only necessary in making calculation to
preserve the proportion of 100 or 200 pc cent
in allowing for the increase Tire witness
carried out his instructions, although hn had
no idea OF the number of men and animals re-
SO as to preserve tho proportion. The witness
had number of these blank affidavits. They
had been taken from his Office Immediately
after the return of the verdict in the last trial
When the witness was released from jail he
found his desk had been opened and his papers
scattered. S. W. Dorsey was the only man
besides himself who possessed key of the
of1ce. Among the papers carried off were
letters passed between S. w. Dorsey and j.
w. Bosler.
"It was flat burglary" interiected Mr. In
gersoll.
The witness said he had sued Miner, Vale
q Go. for services rendered.
Merrick read the record in that case, to show
from Vaile's statement who constituted the
firm. 1t shows that Rerdell in 1879 sued Vale
and Miner for 1888 for services rendered in
transaction of their mail business.
Objection was made to relation of instruc-
tions but 1t was overruled
After the usual recess witness resumed the
testimony which was quite lenthy, but of little
interest or Importance. After wrangle over
notice to compel the production of books the
court adjourned.
There is great deal of excitement in Star
route circles over the confession of Berdeil,
notwithstanding the unconcerned air which
the other defendants assume. The excitement
is so great that rumors have been current that
some OF the leading defendants have fed the
city. These rumors are not confirmed. Brady,
it is true, has disposed of a considerable
amount OF property but it cannot be learned
that he has any present Intention at least of
leaving the city. There is, however, general
impression that the principal defendants who
have money do noe ever intend to 90 to the
penitentiary, Some of them have said that
Mr.. Merrick, Government counsel, considers
that the evidence which is yet to be given by
Rerdell will leave no doubt of the existence of
the conspiracy, and will certainly result in
verdict of guilty. It is even rumored that
Miner. another defendant, may initiate Rerdell
and turn States evidence, but Rerdell himself
has not been promised immunity; he has SIM
ply thrown himself upon the mercy of the
Court. Gen. Brady is expected to take the
stand himself in his own defence, which he de-
clined to do at the former trial
Rerdell, it is said, will be able to show the
Court that the defendants ahave made arrange
ments to secure some members of the present
jury in their interests.