National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-23
DAN CARR1GAN IN COURT.
He Is Produced from Jail as n Witness
AgnInst Mr.. DempseY.

When the criminal court recouvoned yes
terday morning the trial of w. II. Dempsey,
charged with presenting false voucher to
the bureau Of medicine and surgery in the
name Of II. j. Mclaughlin & Co., was re-
sumed, the government continuing the
putting in Of its testimony.
ii. j. Mclaughlin testified that Mr..
Dempsey Informed him that he had bought
and put In goods IN the witnesss name; that
the vouchers were ready, aud asked IL he
would go to the navy pay Office, sign the
vouchers, and obtain the check. lie did
so. Mr.. Dempsey gave as reason for
using the name OF the witness that the
goods furnished were outside OF his line,
and he did not care to have the dealers In
such goods know that he was furnishing
them. lie received no benefit OF the trans
action, and did the act as a friend
Mrs, Harriet Il. Carrlgan, wife Of Daniel
Carrigan, testified that her husband left
home on Jan. 10, 1884, in the morning. She
knew Mr.. Dempsey. lie had visited her
house two or three times, and was there the
night before her husband left home. She
did not know when he came or how long he
had been there.
Miss Hattie T. Carrigan testified that her
father left on Monday morning, and she
had not seen him since She had seen Mr..
Dempsey at her fathers house few times
Lake Jones testified to being with Clrri-
gan the day he left the city and where they
went.
On cross.examination he admitted to
having been indicted and securing immun-
ity; that he hal presented fifteen or more
false vouchers; obtained themoney on them
and divided with Carrigan. lie was prom
ised by the government that II he told what
he knew about the navy fraud cases he
would not be prosecuted, and he has not
been.
Several other witnesses were called for
the purpose Of showing that an intimacy
existed between Dempsey, Carrigan, and
kirkwood prior to the exposure Of the
frauds.
Daniel Carrigan was then directed to be
brought In, which was done, and he was or
dcrCd to take the witness stand.
Mr.. Wilson objected to his being sworn,
on the ground that he had been Indicted,
plead guilty Of infamous crime, and been
sentenced to the penitentiary.
District Attorney Worthington said he
had examined into the case aud declared
that there was nothing in law to prevent
Cnrrigan taking the stand and testifying.
"Who is this witnessY" asked the judge.
"CarTigan,n replied the district attorney.
"Oh, well, let's see about it," said his
honor.
Mr.. Wilson referred to the minutes of the
court Tor the purpose oil Showing that Car
rigan had pleaded guilty to several crimes,
for which he had been indicted and SEN
tGpced to six years In the ponitentiary, aud
then read authorities to show that he was
not competent to testify.
District Attorney Worthington took issue
with this position and also read from the
Jaw books to sustain the stand taken by
him.
II was admitted that notice had not been
given to the other side of the intention of
presenting Carrigan as n witness, and the
prosecution did not doubt that the de-
Tense might have been taken by surprise.
His honor said that II was q serious and
important question, and at the suggestion
of the court 1t went over until next Mon
day to permit further examination to be
made OF the authorities.
Carrgan is looking remarkably well, his
complexion is clear, and, having permitted
his beard to grow, the change in him is re-
maikNbly In contrast with his appearance
when first apprehended.
1t is thought that the excitement Of COM
Ing into court must have proven too much
for him, rs he was taken quite sick after
being sent out, with an attack Of heart dis
ease, but improved in a little while.