Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-29
The MOses.Taylor Case.
THE TRIAL OF THE CONSPIRACY CHARGE L,
THE CRIMINAL COURT.


THE CRIMINAL COURT.
In the Criminal Court, Judge Macarthur this
morning, the defendants, w. b. Moses, c. C.
Cole and James a. McDevtt, indicted for con-
spracy to eXtort certain securities from George
Taylor, by taking him to New Orleans on June
Both, 1884, appeared with their counsel,
Messrs. w. a. Cook and Jere. Wilson. The
trial was set for yesterday, but was continued
until to-day because of the absence of Mr.
McDevitt. This morning Mr.. Cook stated that
that he had not been aware OF the fact that the
case had been set for trial yesterday having
failed to receive his (Mr. Cooks message noti-
flying him.
The district attorney (who appears with his
assistant, Mr.. Coyle), stated that when a mo-
would ask that sworn witnesses be heard
The court said that for the purpose of hearing
the case he would set the forfeiture aside
OPENING STATEMENTS OF THE COUNSEL,
A jury was sworn aud Mr.. Coyle opened the
case stating that the theory of the government
was that Mr.. Noses being the surety for Mr..
Taylors appearance in a Louisiana court, I'M
lawfully combined with the others to eStort
certain securities In settlement from Mr. Tay-
Tor by using his powers as such surety.
MIR. Cook, for the defendants, read the in
dictment, and claimed that it was defective
torney, that Mr.. Moses, as the surety, had the
right TO take the custody of Taylor at any time
and that Mr.. McDevitt was simply the agent Of
Mr.. Moses in the matter: There was no attempt
TO extort absolute security, but simply deed
of trust-conditional security-to secure Mr..
Moses and Moses Son ifthe cases were de-
MIR. Wilson, for MI. Cole, claimed that it is
not charged that the means used were unlaw-
The government offered in testimony the
papers In the civil suits of Moses agt. Taylor in
New Orleans.
The papers were admitted con ditionally.
TESTIMONY IN THE CASE.
William H. Ferguson testified to being with
McDevitt when Taylor was arrested; had
known Of the intention to arrest him several
days.
take the testimony, subject to future action.
was arrested near sol street: Mr. McD. and nd
witness with MIR. Taylor started along Z street;
near 9Th met Mr.. Moses. and the latter said to
Taylor ii he would secure him he would not be
said Moses owed him something. They went
to Mr.. Coles Office and talked over
q letter, which Mr.. Taylor claimed explained
From MIR. Coles office they went to McDevitts
Office, heard some talk OF going in the 10 O'Clock
there o
but not severely. From Med ONCE Mr.. Film
der went for Mr.. N. Wilson and he came down
on the pavement the latter driving of. Mr..
Taylor and the rest went into Ross restaurant
o dne Of Mr: Moses clerks came for Mcb who
went over. Mr.. McDevitt came back and said
.You'n have 70 e with me- They then went
rage and the driver ordered to take them to
Alexandria. Mr.. Taylor called Sergeant Nc
Henry aud Officer Montgomery, and witness
Taylor resisted on the way down. They stopped
at the Tontine hotel Witness then described
the proceedings I'm Alexandria, where Taylor
swcre out warrant against McDevitt
Mr.. Ferguson was cross-examined at great
length, and was ON the stand when our report
closed.
THE QUEENS FATHER AT THE WHITE
n ). &<op R,aA
over to him today colored visitor, whose
name is Sylvester Berry, and who walked here
from FanQuler county, Virginia, leaving his
the father OF, and had crowned, queen, whom
he had named Samfida Margaret Estelle Berry.
and wanted the law read 70 him, when he was
taken in charge and escorted TO police head
quarters.