Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-11
THE METROPOLITAN BANK ROB
Berry.
Detective HcDevift's Statement.
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE ALL IN


After the STARS report OF the trial Of James A.
McDevitt, eN-metropoitan detective, and Private
Detective Charles E. Finder, charged with receiv-
ing stolen goods, was concluded. Mr. John Lar
combe disbursing officer OF the Government Print
Ing Office; Dr. Daniel B. Clarke, president OF the
Bank OF the Republic, and VIM. B. Webb, formerly
superintendent OF police. testified to McDevitts
good character The Indictment found against
Hogan, Burns, and Carsin for the printing Office
robbery, bearing the name Of McDevftt as q wit
ness, was flled by the defense.
Mr.. John Wren. private detective from Rich
mond. Va. testified that be had known Horace
Eoran since the war. He was Il years old when
the witness first knew him, and his occupation at
that time was thief His reputation for truth
and veracity was very bad and the witness would
not believe him on his oath. The witness said that
McDevttt had reputation for being too firm
Mr. Christy asked the couI. II an order could be
made In regard to the payment OF the witnesses OF
the defense, as they had no money themselves.
The court granted the request and adjourned
Proceedings To-Day.
A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
When the court met this morning Mr.. Riley rising
In his place, said. In reference to the statement he
| made yesterday regarding Mr. Ker and Horan, that
1t was based upon the statements OF gentlemen OF
undoubted integrity. Subsequent inquiry OF the
marshals Office and officers OF the 1ail showed that
Horan bad not been out OF jail. and that this was
a Clear cut case o. mistaken identity. Under these
circumstances tue gentlemen, OF course would not
make an affidavit He now gladly made this state
n.ent TO eXonerate Mr.. ker from any imputation
that had been cast upon him by the remarks made
yesterday.
sit shows" said Judge Wylie show unsafe 1t Is
to rely upon mere stories and rumOrS"
FURTHER TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENSE.
Mr. X. s. Davis testified to McDevittS good repu-
tatiOn.
Private Detective VIM. P. Smith, OF Baltimore,
testified that he had known McDevftt who Was
N Rtif Hp M IL
utation among police people was "too much hon
esty in his business"
yWhat do you mean by too much honesty 2" asked
Mr.. Christy.
swell. he is too conscientious said the witness
The witness said NcDevitt's reputation was good
He had known Finder for twenty -four or twenty
nve years, and had employed him. His reputation
was.good.
Albert L. Wyman, treasurer OF the United States,
testified 10 McDevitts good reputation.
W. +. Geyer, livery man, testified that the wit
ness Heohard, who was on the stand yesterday,
was In his employ for about ten days. He was
asked as TO how Hebhard came to leave his employ,
for the purpose OF showing that Hebhard had been
discharged. The question was ruled out. relat-
ing TO a collateral matter raised crosS-eXamina-
ton. The witness knew nothing OF Hebhards
reputation except While he was In witness employ
Michael b. German, clerk In the detective Office,
police headquarters. was called. and produced the
office blotter containing the entries made January
Cd 1879, the date OF the Government Printing Office
robbery.
M'DEvITT's STATEMENT.
James A. McDevitt defendant, was then called TO
the stand. He said he had heard the testimony OF
Hebner, or Hebhard, that he had called at FadeIys
stable, July 2d, 1880, for horse and buggy. Itwas
false in every particular.
"Thats all, Mr. McDevitt,n said MI. Riley.
1--WE nave nothing to ask him" said District At
torney WOrthington
Mr.. McDevitt then LETT the stand Mr. Riley de-
sired TO put In evidence records on the headuuar-
tiers blOtter. relating TO the Government Printing
Office robbery, but the evidence was ruled out
Mt McDevitt was then called 10 the stand again
and examined at length by Mr. Chrtsty
He said In relation TO the Metropolitan bank rob-
berry, that he was informed by Mr. Moore that
there had been robbery, and that he Was wanted
at the bank. Witness went to the bank and was
informed OF the circumstances OF the robbery. Mr.
White, placing both hands on witness, said: "Mr
McDeyitt. for Gods sake don't let the community
think that am implicated In the robbery" Wit
ness said: "What are you talking about You are
TOO well known in this community for that. This
is the work OF professional thieves" The witness
said there was great confusion and excitement 10
the bank. Witness started away to arrange, e
possible, to catch the thieves.
M'DEvITT'S DENIALS
The witness denied that when he returned to the
bank he said he could not attend to this matter, as
he had another important matter at police head
quarters. He denied also having mentioned Film
der's Lame until the evening OF that day at police
headquarters Mr. McDevitt Said that when he
street car with Mr. Middleton he saw number OF
| men at the City Hall looking at workmen engaged
there; are they the people who were In the banE?"
Witness told Mr. Middleton to get out and take
good look at them He did SO and failed to identify
them. One OF the men left the crowd and walked
away. and witness told Mr. Middleton follow him
and look at him Mr. Middleton did SO and failed TO
identity him These men had linen busters on and
some Of them had satchels. He told Middleton to
90 to the depot and he saw any one
whom he identined, and witness was not
there. TO call an Ofncer and have the
man arrested The witness described the in
terview at police headquarters the night OF the
robbery. Mr.. Thompson, he said, wanted him to
60 to New York ana get the stolen bonds Witness
told him that he could not do that, the profes-
sional thieves and their agents would not deal
with him. After further talk he suggested Finder
as man who could serve MI. Thompson. He rec
commended Finder because he believed him TO be
trustworthy and ef1cient He said he had never
anything on account OF them. He denied having
hired a buggy on the day OF the robbery, and de-