National Republican., 1883-02-28
RERDELL ON THE RACK.
Col IngerSOll Puts Him Through Another
Sharp Cross Examination
The Story Of His Interviews With the
Government Officials.
The Various Methods Adopted 10 Prove HIS Purpose TO
Keep Faith.
borrowing Money OF His Co-Defendants-
borrowing Money of His Co-Derendnnts-
valIe's Whereabouts.


and prospective pay of each route operated by
Dorsey. One of the columns was headed rs.
], B,-33i per cent?" and the figures set down
in that column represented that percentage of
the pay upon the routes.
Mr.. Ingorsoll. What was II for9
A. You will have to put your client upon
the stand to answer that
The court. Speak for yourself.
Mr.. lngersoll. Yes; you will have enough
to do.
Witness did not know could only infer
what it was for. Never practiced initiating
Dorsey's signature in Kellogg's presence, nor
did he boast to that gentleman that he could
sign Dorsey's name so like the original that
they could not be distinguished from each
other.
Mr.. 1ngersoll took up the letter from Dor
sey to Rerdell, dated April 3, 1873, that had
been introduced in the direct examination.
Witness did not know who wrote the address
or cancelled the stamp. Mr.. lngersOll showed
the letter to the jury, saying, significantly,
"He says that is FIVE years old.'
In answer to the rem0nstrance of the court
that he was wasting time Mr.. Ingcrsoll re.
piled that the government had consumed
twelve weeks, and the defense had said moth
ing.
what" exclaimed Mr.. Bliss, in amaze
ment
Very little" answered Mr.. Ingersoll.
Mr.. Bliss. That depends upon whether you
mean substance or time. Laughter.
Witness did not know and did not believe
that Dorsey was in this city ut the date of
the letter; did nothing in consequence of re-
ceiving it did not understand it. The letter
directs Rerdell to find out all he can at the
Postoflice department about the bids.
The day after Vaio testified in the last
trial witness went to William Lilley, a law
yer, and told him he was ready to go upon
the stand for the government and rebut
Vaile He had some letters from Vaile that
might be of interest; also notified Dorsey of
his idea. That was in July, just before the
affidavit had been made. When witness got
out of Jail he went to Lilley, who referred
him to Woodward. Witness sat down
and wrote out statement. Woodward
said it was too short; it was incom-
plete, and did not include the necessary
memoranda. Both of them were tried, and
Woodward told him he would see him at q
later date, meanwhile he was to collect his
papers. Lilley told witness that he thought
he could get him of if he went over to the
government, but no government officer ever
made any such promise Witness again met
Woodward in November last at Hartford
Conn., and made very full sworn statement.
Witness paid his way over, but the money was
repaid to him. Mr.. Woodward gave him
money-S42-to pay his expenses
Mr. Ingersoll objected to Mr.. Merrick sit
ting before the witness and speaking or NOV
ing his head, as though approving or disap-
proving what the witness said. He supposed
that what the witness said sometimes excited
Mr.. Merrick's qualification.
The court said 1t had noticed nothing of that
kind.
Mr.. Merrick declared that he had made no
sign.
Mr.; IngorsOll. "Perhaps it was uuinten-
Mr. Merricl. "All of the acting has been on
the other side"
The gentlemen then fell into dispute.
DON'T talk to me-" exclaimed Mr.. Inger-
soil vehemently.
am talking to the court" replied Mr..
Merrick with spirit.
"You are talking to one another" said the
court, interposing. Come, let us proceed"
The examination was then resumed.
Mr.. lngersOll asked If the witness had not
agreed with the government officers that il
the court allowed him four challenges he would
challenge persons to whom the government
objected.
The witness said he told Blackman he
would do that to show his good faith toward
he government.
Mr.. Ingersoll. And you endeavored to carry
out that agreement?
A. / did.
Mr., IngersOll. You resolved to challenge
four Of the panel for the government.
A. For Mr.. Blackman.
O. You knew he was on that side2
A. did.
Q. And you tried to challenge one man
saying in consultation of the defendants
that you regarded him as personal enemy
A. / said believed he was opposed to me
Q. Did Mr.. Woodward know anything OF
that2
A. He knew nothing Of 1t. I was very
anxious to show my good faith to the gov.
ernment.
Mr.. Ingersoll. Is that what you call "good
faith" sitting with your co-deiendants, and
working for the government?
A. To the government, yes.
MIR. Ingersoll. They are welcome to it.
Speaking of the circumstances preceding
his going upon the stand, tho witness said he
went with Wiltshire (his counsel) and Wood
ward to Mr., Alerrick's house, and explained
to that gentleman what he wished TO do. Mr..
Merrick told him the law in such cases.
Mr., Ingersoll. Did he read you q case from
9th Otto2
A. No, sir.
Q. He showed you no case ?
A. Mr.. Wiltshire showed me tho whisky
cases.
Mr.. Ingersoll asked If the witness had not
kept the government informed of what the
defense were doing throughout the trial
He answered that he had told Blackman
about the newspapers put in evidence, and on
one or two occasions Blackman had come to
his room in that connection.
Mr.. Ingcrsoll inquired If the witness had
not demanded money from Dorsey during
this trial
He answered that he had requested an al
lOwance Of 5000 for counsel fees &c.
Mr., Ingersoll asked him If he had not bor-
Towed a sum Of money from Vale during this
trial.
Witness said he had borrowed $40 from
Vailc; that was about ono week before he
took the stand. Naile did not know that he
was going to take the stand. Had conVersed
with Miner and Vaile on the subject upon
other occasions. Witness share of the re.
ceipts from the Rawlins-White River route
was to have been $1,000 per annum after Il
had been increased l50 per cent. or upward.
Upon the subject of the Perkins affidavit
Mr.. Ingersoll based long examination.
After the recess Mr.. Davidge moved that
the court allow the defense access to the
papers referred to in the examination of Rer-
dell and it was ordered that they be deposited
with the clerk. In the course of passage
between counsel Mr.. Davidgo stigrhatized Mr.
Bliss as impertinent. The examination wa:
then resumed.
Mr., lngcrsoll asked the witness If he had moi
written and published an article in the Sta
intended to lead the defendants TO believe
that no was not going on the stand for til,
government in this trial.
He said the article had been written by Mr.
wiltshire in contradiction of a report The
article was read by tho witness. 1t is no
tioeable that he therein declares he had haC
no interview with Messrs Merrick, Ker
and Bliss, but does not refer to BlaclSman