The Portland daily press., 1886-09-20
THE ADAMS CASE.
Third Day of the Hearing at Halifax.

HALIFAX, Sept. 1S.-Commissioner Nc
Lellan opened his court at 1890 o'clock this
morning, to continue taking evidence IN the
David Adams case, The United States coun
sci entered the court room Just pe1ore te the
proceedings commenced, and, as his eye fell
on re-enforced army OF newspaper repre-
sentatives, he glared savagely and took his
seat, with face bearing every indication OF
astonishment and anger. Every pressman
who received subpoena yesterday was pre-
sent, with their legal counsel, Benjamin
Russell, @. c. The ireading of yesterday S
evidence completed, the first witness, Sam
uel d. Ellis of Victoria Beach, was. sworn.
Ellis evidence was then taken. In reply
to Mr.. Graham, he said he had seen the yes
sci David j. Adams 10 or IL times. The first
time from his house at Victoria beach. He
had been fisherman for about so years. He
saw the LanSdowne and Adams close to-
gether, just inside the harbor.. He saw the
Adams twice before that. When she came
ters of mile from the shore, a dory was
dropped into the water from her and two
men rowed ashore. The captain, who was
one of the men, asked If Ellis had any bait.
He said he had; it was in his fish house, and
had been caught that morning. The captain
asked Ellis to sell it. But he refuse. The
captain then stated that his vessel was form
erly an American, but was purchased by the
English, and was then owned in Deer Island.
Thinking the captain Strengthening man
and that he was telling the truth, Ellis said
he could have the bait for 81 per barrel.
The captain offered $1.25 and Ellis took that.
There were four barrels of bait 1t was
taken ON board the vessel, being carried their
by men who belonged to her. The schooner
was very black one, with something like
white streak around her. Her topmaSt was
gone, and there seemed to be q piece of can
vas hanging over her stern. She was close
enough for the witness to speak from shore
to anybody on board. The captain paid for
the bait. He got nothing else. He said he
was going to cross the basin to try to get
more bait, and when he came back he would
like to get some also from Ellis, who said he
could have it If 1t was caught. There was
no bargain made as to what he should pay
for this. Herring bait, said the wltneSs,W was
used for catching halibut and cod in the
spring.
In answer to Mr.. Meagher, Ellis said he
used herring bait for boat fishing and caught
principally cod and halibut the first part OF
the season, and in the latter part haddock.
He did not use ice in connection with boat
fishing and had no icehouSe. He was never
engaged in banks fishing. What was called
Digby harbor extended from Point Prim light
to Digby. From the place, where the schoon-
ershove to to the Digby custom house was
over five miles.
The cross examination of Ellis was con-
tinued by Mr.. Meagher three-uuarters OF an
hour longer. but nothing new or important
was elected. 1t was after 1.30 o'clock before
Ellis was dismissed, and Mr.. Meagher at
once asked the court to adjourn. The Cana
dian counsel would not agree to it. The
commissioner hesitated to grant it, and Mr..
Eeagher urgently pressed for it. eventually
putting on his hat and moving towards the
doof, with the remark that he wouldn't stay
there on Saturday afternoon. At the door
he paused, turned back and stood by the
commissioners desk, awaiting the decision.
Ultimately Mr.. Graham gave half-hearted
consent, ,and the court adjourned till O'Clock
Monday afternoon.