Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-24
Mr.. Belt.s witnesses.
OFFICER HARPER ACQUITTED OF THE CHARGE
OF PERIURY-Ex-PoLICEMAN BENTON HELD


OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BENTON HELD
FOR THE GRAND JURY.
Yesterday afternoon in the Police Court in
/ the case of Police Officer Joseph Harper OF the
fourth precinct, charged with committing per-
jury i'm connection with the Belt divorce case,
after THE STARS report closed, Mr.. Henry
Wise Garrett, counsel for Mrs. Belt was called
as q witness, and testified to the statement
made by Harper on cross-examination i'm the
Belt divorce case. This closed the testimony
Tor the prosecution.
Captain Z. X. Vernon, Of the police, was the
first witness called by the defense. He said that
he had served under Lieut.. Skippon, and had
been instructed by him to watch houses to see
who visited them. He said to witness that if
he found that if certain persons visited the
house he would have to apply for a divorce
had also been sent by Skippon to watch
house outside of his own precinct.
The defendant was then sworn in his own be.
half. On two occasions ne said Lieut. Skippon
sent him TO the fourth precinct to watch q
house, but IL was not the house mentioned as
los i. street. and on these occasions he met
Officers Lamb and Benton. He denied that he
swore in the divorce proceedings that he was
sent by Skippon at a date that was subsequently
shown To be after he was sent to the asylum
Benton told witness that Mrs. WysOng lived mt
l1O6 L. street. He admitted having sworn that
ne saw woman standing in the doorway of
1905 l. street who looked like the person repre-
sented in the picture.
the defendant and Mr.. Thomas for the prosecu-
tiOn Judge Smell said that if Harper swore to
All that was charged 1t did not amount to much
He said there must be a motive shown, and 1t
was not intimated that the accused had any
object In lying about the matter. He said he
had known Mr.. Harper for a number of years
as good officer. The case was dismissed.
BENTON HELD FOR THE GRAND JURY.
The judge also gave decision in the case of
ex-PoIiceman William T. Benton, charged with
the same offense in connection with the same
case, which was tried several days ago. He
sent the case to the grand jury bonds $1,000.
Another Suit Against DR.. Hale.
AN ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP.
John w. Hermann, by c. A. Walter, has
filed suit against w. H. Hale and Louisa
Lucy Roux Hermann for a dissolution of the
partnership formed September 9Th last in the
printing and publishing business connectedwith
the paper called Thrift. He charges that Hale
by Misrepresentation and fraud obtained pos
session of his fHerrmann'sl printing office, and
the name the paper from Thrift to Washing
ton 1rdrefer and proceeded to use its columns
to advertise gin enterprise, and he continued
was raiGed and Hale was subsequently convict
ed and the others released. He charges that
Hale received the moneys by mail intended
for complainant and appropriated them for his
own use. He AXIS the appointment of re-
ceiver that an account be stated, and the part.
nership be dissolved.
CHRISTMAS AT FATHERLAND CHURcH.-Last
night the scholars of the English Sunday shcooi
of the Fatherland had their Christmas festival.
The front OF the church was prettily decorated
with evergreens, wreaths encircling golden
propriate Christmas inscriptions, all producing
happy, effect. program of sixteen parts
selves acceptaby. The selections COMPRISED d in
part the following: christmas greeting"
boundary of Christmas; REGULATIONS by Queen
Winter and her attendants; Some thing to Do;
Christmas Day; Do You Hear; Aud Lang
Syne; What Can Do; Christmas Letter; Hank,
the Tramping OF an Army, &c. An interesting
fhkYf no ati<Ny,
of Kris Kringle by Mr.. NJ. f. May and when he
arrived the children went wild with delight.
corDered hat on his head, and a basket thrown
over his back with child snugly resting in it.
His advent was through the front door, but in
stead of the sleigh and reindeer, he pushed
wheelbarrow loaded with goodies to the front
of the church and there deposited his load.
The little wait in the basket make "a speech and
Santa Claus proceeded to dispense his gifts.
After this had been done the school sang the
Coronation hymn, which closed the proceed
ings.
LEES MOTION FOR A New TRIAL-Messrsf
]. w. Walker and 7. C. Taylor, the counsel O.
Richard j. Lee, recently convicted of the muir
der of his wife, Mary Lee, have filed motion
for new trial on the ground that the verdict
was contrary to the evidence, that the ruling of
the court was erroneous, and newly discovered
evidence.
TRYING TO Pass A CONFEDERATE NOTE
Henry Langley, countryman, purchased two
cheap rings last night and was walking along
him and made an offer of S5 for the rings
Langley, of course, accepted the offer and Lewis
rendered $50 confederate note, expecting SIS
in change. Mr.. Langley, however, noticed
What the note was and had the negro arrested.
This morning in the Police Court Lewis was
charged as a suspicious character and was re-
quired TO give bonds; in default, three months
on the farm.
THE Posi- OFFICE ON CHRISTMAS DAY.-The
several divisions of the city post office will be
Kept open for the transaction of busi ness for the
hour the registry and money order divisions
will be closed to the public at the main office
and at the several branch stations. 4 delivery
by carriers will be made at $50 am, with the
usual collections for that hour. The collections
Tor the afternoon will be the same as usually
made on Sunday. The carriers window will
be open from to pm.