Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-03-08
The PARNELL INQUIRY.
A Leading Witness Against the
Home Rule Leader COnfesses.
Admitting the London Times"
Letters Were Forgeries.

After searching examination of sixty
days, the Parnell inquiry in London has re-
suited in the most sensational developments.
The Parnell Commission, as it is called, was
instituted to examine into allegations of the
London Times that Mr.. Parnell had written
letters sympathizing with criminal efforts
murder and the use of dynamite-to further
the cause of Irish Home Rule. The Times
published what purported to be letters or
Mr.. Parnell favoring criminal action IN be-
half of Irelands liberation from English
domination. The Irish Home Rule leader
asserted that these letters were fOrgerleS and
demanded an investigation. A Special Com
mission appointed to take testimony, and
the trial began over two months ago.
The most important witness upon whom
the ines relied was one Richard Pigott, who
had furnished the paper with the alleged Par
nell letters, and who swore before the Commits
sion that they were genuine. Upon cross
examination, however, Pigott went to pieces
completely when confronted with a letter
which he had written to Archbishop Walsh,
offering for pay to prove that the Parnell
letters were fraudulent. In further cross
examination Pigott involved himself in a
complete network of lies, and the case of the
Times seemed knocked all to pieces. To put
a clincher upon the matter P1gott made
confession that the letters were forgeries, and
then disappeared. A London dispatch gives
these further particulars:
Richard Pigott the principal Times wit
ness in the Parnell case, has made startling
confession. He declares the Parnen letters,
published by the London Times, absolute
forgeries.
The announcement Of this sensational de-
velopment was made at the morning session
of the Parnell Commission.
Sir Charles Russell, counsel for Parnell,
arose shortly after the opening of the court
and stated that on Saturday last at the
house of Henry Labouchere, editor of Lon
don Truth, Pigott signed confession. This
+l<N
alleged Parnell letters printed by the Times,
and on which the Times based its charges
against the Irish members, were forgeries-
Mr.. George Augustus Sala was also present
when the confession was made.
Pigott had without invitation, called on
Mr.. Labouchere and offered to confess. Mr..
Labouchere declined to listen with
out witnesses, whereupon Mr.. Sala
that he was the forger. He admitted
that he forged all the letters ascribed to
Messrs. Egan, Parnell, Davitt and OKelly.
He also admitted that he perjured himself
Before the Commission.
The statement OF Sir Charles Russell was
corroborated by the witnesses.
Having made this extraordinary statement
to the court. Sir Charles Russell applied for
warrant for the arrest of Pigott. The Presid
ing Justice said that within an hour a war
rant would be ready.
Mr.. Shannon, a Dublin solicitor, who as
sisted the Times in constructing its case, was
then called to the witness box. Mr.. Shan
non testified that on Sunday night Pigott
came to him and gave him a written state
ment denying the statement he had made on
Saturday to Mr.. Labouchere that he had
forged all the letters. The first batch Pigott
declared he believed to be genuine. The sec
ond batch, including two of the Parnell let
tiers, was forged by himself and Casey. The
third batch, which includes those of Davitt
and O'Kelly, we're similarly forged.
Pigott added, in his statement to Shannon,
that he now having stated the truth and
confessed before the world, the Times
should deal leniently with him
Sir Charles Russell, Mr.. Parnelrs counsel,
cross examined Mr.. Shannon, who stated in
answer to question that he took no steps to
prevent Pigott from escaping, but that he
fully expected to see him appear in court.
1t was very evident to all present that the
Times had met its Waterloo, and that the
case was in state of complete collapse.
The following cablegram has been received
in Chicago from Michael Davitt by Alexan-
der Sullivan:
"Pigott has bolted. 1t is the general be-
lief here that the Times and the Government
have paid him to clear out"