Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-11-26
THE SAXTON FORGERY,
DETAILS OF THE HEARING IN THE
CITY COURT SATURDAY..
Treasurer G. II. Ward Tells How the Or
ders were Presented w. Wards Tes-
timony - A straightforward story
Told by John7L. Mason.

The adjourned hearing in the case of
Miss Jennie l.. SaXton was begun Satur-
day E,prning at 10 o'clock in the city court
roomVwhich was thronged. The first wit
ness was Mr.. G. +. Watd treasurer of the
Burlington Savings Bank He stated that
the first time he ever saw the accused was
on the 4th day of September when she
entered the savings bank and inquired for
f. w. Ward. On being Informed that he
was not in she turned to the window and
stood looking out on the street. After
short time she again approached his
desk and, showing him an order for $500
in the name of John l.. Mason, asked
him if he would pay her the money as she
wanted to take the 4:40 train for Rich
mond. She endorsed the order and he
paid her the amount named. He saw
when he looked closely at the order that
it was forgery, but the woman had dis
appeared by that time He had not seen her
since until Tuesday last. On that day
colored boy entered the bank and asked
If F. w. Ward was in, at the same time
handing him letter for the former.
When informed that he was not III the
boy said the letter was to be returned to
the sender and was allowed to take it
away. lu about half an hour the boy re
turned and not finding f. w Ward in
told witness that he might open it, which
he did. In response he started for the
hotel, going by way of the police station,
where he summoned Officer Dumas.
When ushered into the presence of the
accused he told her She omitted to en-
dorse the order She said she would do
so ana asked if Il pencil would do.
Witness thought it would on that oc
casion. Accused then asked if the
first order went all right. Witness did
not answer, but nodded to the
officer to arrest her. Witness further
stated that at Justice Fosters office, the
day of arrest, the accused said she would
sit in the chair she occupied until Mr..
Mason came and Strengthened the matter
up. He also said that Mr.. Delaney dictat-
ed the message which was sent to Mr.. Ma
son.
On the cross examination by Mr. Bal
lard nothing i'll addition of Importance
was elected except that he was led into
paying the first order by the apparent
acquaintance of the visitor with his son.
He saw the latter between the two visits
of the colored boy and told him that
bird has got around at last" He did not
know whether Fred knew her previous to
that time. He thought Mr.. Mason's money
was withdrawn three or four weeks ago.
On the redirect examination the witness
said Mr.. Mason S transactions were wholly
outside of the savings bank matters. He
thought there was an att empt III the or
ders to disguise the handwriting.
F. w. WARDS EVIDENCE.
The next witness was Mr.. f. w. Ward
who said that he was hired by his father
G.. f. Ward, and sometimes acted as
cashier. After telling how the bank af-
fairs We're run he was cross examined.
Mr. Mason closed his account with wit
ness October 5, according to the books,
but must have been ii day later az Mr.
Mason visited the bank on Wednesday
He knew then that the first order bad
been paid, but did not mention it as he
had been Instructed not TO. The amount
left with him by Mr.. Mason often reach
ed into thousands but it did not draw in
terest. The account had been running
since Man, 1854. He became acquainted
with the accused at EsseG Junction and
had met her since in burlington. When
he saw The signature to the order he did
not think of the accused because he did
not know her first name.
MR. MAsON's TESTIMONY.
Mr.. John l.. Mason then took the wit
ness stand and testified as follows Had
lived in Richmond since 1880 and was 66
years of age. Knew Jennie SaXton, her
parents living short half mile from his
place He never signed orders or author
i"ou "SiHiS Va CO. inv O'7N " vac" 'ii''io
in his name. Had kept spare money in the
Savings bank for last three years He
first learned OF the orders when he saw
copies in the FREE PRESS
On the cross examination, he SAID he
had lived at his present residence about Is
years. SaXtOn's place was across the river.
He had known Jennie since she was two
or three Years old. He thought she was
now 20 or u years OF age. lie had met
her often III Richmond, and had seen her
on the train and i'll burlington. His
daughter was married II years ago, and
his family now consisted OF himself his
wife and help. Mrs. Delaney, sister of
accused, worked for him when Jennie WAS
small, and the latter came frequently to
his house. Had not been there but once
since to his knowledge. Did not know
how it was when he was absent. He car
ried Jennie frequently i'll his wagon as he
did others whom he met and invited to
ride with him. He often passed the Sax
al. I'm I'M la In