The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-28
THE srAR-RoUrE TRIAL.
The Day Spent in Cross-Examining Mr..
Rerdel.

Rerden.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Colonel Ingersoll
continued Rerdelrs cross-examination in
the star-route trial this morning.
Witness said the papers stolen from the
desk contained the names, number and
present and prospective pay of each
route operated by Dorsey. One of the col
umns was headed, "T ]. B., 33K per cent,
and the figures set down in that column rep
resented his percentage of the pay upon the
routes.
Mr.. Ingersoll-What was it for2
Answer-You will have to put your client
on the stand to answer that.
Witness did not know; could only infer
what it was for. Never was informed what
it was; never practiced initiating Dorseys
signature in Kellogg's presence: nor did he
boast to that gentleman that he could sign
Dorsey's name so like the original that it
would be hard to distinguish the difference
The day after Vale testified in the trial wit
ness went to Mr.. Lilley, a lawyer and told
him that he was ready to go on the stand for
the government and rebut Vaile's testimony.
He also notified Dorsey of his idea.
When witness got out of Jail, he went to
htllcN, WHO I6IcTTtu ulUl W w OOQWdFu VIII
ness wrote out the statement which Wood
ward considered incomplete, and promised
to see him at a later date, and in the mean
while witness was to collect his papers. Lilley
told witness he thought he could get him off
if he went to the government, butno govern
ment officer ever made any such promise.
| Witness again met Woodward on Nov. 2,
last, at Hartford, Conn, and made very
full sworn statement. Woodward paid the
expenses.
Witness said he told Blackburn that if the
court allowed him four challenges he would
challenge the persons to whom the govern
ment objected. He endeavored to carry out
that agreement to show his good faith to-
ward the government.
Mr. Ingersoll asked witness if he called it
good faith sitting with his co-defendants and
working for the government He replied
that he considered it good faith to the gov
ernment.
Mr. Ingersoll inquired of the witness if he
had not demanded money or fees of some
kind from the government. He answered
that he had requested an allowance of $4,000
for counsel fees. Witness borrowed $40
from Vale about week before he took the
stand. Vale did not know he was to testify.
Rerdel said his share from one route was to
have been 81, 600 per annum.
Mr. Davidge moved that the court allow
| the defense access to the papers referred to
in the examination of Rerdell, and it was
ordered that fhev De uepoSiteu With ihe
clerk
| Mr.. Ingersoll asked witness if he had not
written and published an article in the Star
| intended to lead defendants to believe ne was
| not going on the stand for the government
in this trial. After several evasive answers
witness finally said it was written to throw
the public off the track. Witness acknowl-
edged having sent a letter to Williamson on
the 10th of the present month requesting
him to get $40 from Vale for him.
Speaking of the meeting between Bosler
Dorsey and Brady at Chamberan's club
house, witness said he diu not see Brady, but
understood they were to meet him there;
remembered the time Aug, '60) because Dor
sey gave him telegram not connected with
the case to send to l.. P. Morton. Witness
copied the dispatch, keeping the original for
voucher; had copy now. No effort was made
| to bring out its contents by either side. Ad-
journed
In reference to that portion of Rerdell's
testimony to-day. wherein he said he had
undertaken to challenge the jurors at the
beginning of the present trial in the interest
of the government, counsel for prosecution
declare they knew nothing of the affair at
that time. Blackman corroborates this state
ment. Merrick said the question of using
Rerdell for the prosecution was a matter
sriously considered by counsel, and it was
not until the night before his appearance as
witness that they determined to accept his
services. Even then it was expressly stipu-
lated that he must rely solely upon the
mercy of the court. Mr.. Ker called atten-
ton to the fact that the prosecution, if SO
inclined. could have allowed Rerdell TO go
upon the stand and nole prossied the case
SO far as he (Rerdell) was concerned.