The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-07

10 the western Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, March Elm the Keifer-Boyn-
ton investigation, to-day John A. Sloan, of Wash
ington, was called. He testified to the general
bad reputation of J. W. Elder in this city.
Would not believe him under oath.
Representative Jordan, of the Second con
gressional district of Ohio, testified TO the good
reputation of General Boynton.
Edgar NJ johnson, lawyer of Cincinnati,
was called. In answer to question as to Boyn-
tons reputation for integrity and honor, he said,
with emphasis it was especially good.
General Rosecrans had known General Boyn-
ton for twenty years, and had never heard his
integrity impeached in the slightest degree until
he heard Mr.. Refers speech on the floor of the
House
Mr. Ramsey offered in evidence transcript of
the record of the Court of General Sessions, of
New York showing the arrest and Imprisonment
in the Tombs of j. w Elder, for obtaining
money by personating w. G. Elder New York
detective.
General Keifer was placed upon the stand and
examined by Mr. Ramsey.
cat whose solicitation did you, General Keifer
write letter to the Department OF Justice in
behalf of Mr.. Elder9' asked Mr. Ramsey
81 do not remember at whose solicitation, re-
Piled Mr.. Keifer
Mr.. Ramsey then asked if the witness had not
paid Mr.. Elders board bill at the United States
Hotel.
mo, replied the witness.
F'Did you advance any money for this pur-
posel"
The reply was again in the negative, the an
swer being qualified by the denial of any direct
knowledge of his board bill. On being further
questioned, the witness acknowledged he had
furnished $50 $40 to his counsel to be used for
the benefit of Elder. He had heard that Elder
sick, and this money went to pay his board.
Elder not i'll at that time, was hel" asked
Mr.. Ramsey.
The witness said he knew nothing about that
or something to that effect.
Representative Follett of the First congress
sional district, of Ohio; Senator Hawley of Con
necticut; Representative Hit and others testi-
fed strongly in favor of Gen. Boyntons good
character.
Mr.. Ramsey again offered in evidence that Dor
ton Of the testimony taken by the Kellogg
Spofford committee, which contains the cross
examination of Elder His purpose, he ex-
planned. was TO show the inprobability of Boyn-
toms holding such conversation as it was al
lodged he had with Elder, with such man as
this testimony proved Elder TO be
The committee declined to receive the evil
dence.
To the next witness, f. J. Works, of New
York, it was mystery why he had been sum
moned here He knew nothing whatever about
this case. The witness was subpenaed by Mr.
Keifer, but called to the stand by Mr.. Boynton.
Charles S. Garfield was recalled and cross-ex-
amined by Mr.. Ramsey and after close
questioning the witness admitted that he WAS
arrested in DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1879 OF
1880 He was indicted for burglary.
To Coleman-The case was nolle pressed, and
he was innocent of the charge.
D. B. Bedding, proprietor of the United States
Hotel, was next placed upon the stand. He
said Elder had boarded with him for some time,
and the witness held bond collateral He
said that Elder owed him board bill of over
800, and that few days ago man came to his
hotel and handed the clerk $40 in payment of
Elders board, and left Immediately, without
waiting for receipt He would not know the
man if he saw him again. He acknowledged he
expected some one to come there to pay the bill.
He could not say whether or not Elder had told
him that keifer would settle the bill but thought
Keifer's name was mentioned in that connection.
Elder had said something about expecting money
for witness fees
Mr.. Coleman then went voluntarily on the
stand and made statement in regard to the
payment of the money to Elder He said that
when he was preparing the case he wished to
know whether Garfield remembered the CONVEX
sation between Boynton and Elder and he sent
Elder to Cleveland to see Garfield. He gave
Elder $50 to pay his expenses, but when he re-
turned he told him tColemanl he had paid out
more than $50 III expenses and that his landlord
was very pressing Elder said $40 would be
enough and Coleman had sent that sum to the
clerk of the United States Hotel.
Ben Prescott, messenger of the Senate, knew
Elder. His reputation for truth and veracity
was not good at all
Brewster Cameron, general agent Of the De
partment of Justice was called. He produced
and identified letter from the files of the De
partment The letter read as follows:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
WAsHINGToN ID. c., Jan. TO- 1884.
Hon. Benjamin Fl. Brewster, Attorney general:
My Dear Sir-I am well acquainted with John W.
Elder who will present this letter you. wish to
say for him that he is reliable in all respects and ask
of you, asa personal favor to give him hearing
matter about which he wishes to speak. do not know
what is but You he does not wish to impose
on you in any way. Yours with high esteem,
]. WARREN KETFER.
Mr. Ramsey said he wanted to prove by this
witness that the matter which Elder wanted an
interview with the Attorney general about was
connected with the star-routes; that he wanted
to be employed by the Department ostensibly in
the prosecution of the star route investigations,
but in reality for the purpose of operating against
the government, and IN the interest Of those i'm
picated in the frauds
The chairman of the committee decided this
testimony would be better suited for Mr. Spring
er's committee, and ruled it out.
Mr.. Cameron said the department was under
the impression that Keifer had written this let
ter at the instance Of Mr. Kellogg, but this was
denied by Mr. Keifer who said ex Representa-
tive Amos Townsend, of Cleveland, o., request
ed him to write the letter After it had been
II