Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-02-21
THEY PLOTTED MURDER.
Extraordinary Stories That Mr.. Houston
Heard-He Admits That He did not Be-
lIeve all the Statements TO be Accurate.

Union, was fufther cross-eXamlned. H(
said he destroyed Pigott's letters to him il
accordance with an agreement made be
tween them that they were intended foi
the witness eye alone and were not to bt
used publicly. Up to the time the wit
ness went to Paris, Pigott had not giyer
him the names Of any of the persons con
nected with the letters secured by the
Times. He did not consider that knowl.
edge of the men from whom the letters
we're obtained was important in connec
ton with the question of their genuine
ness.
Witness said his part was done when the
letters were obtained. He accepted them
without securing any means Of testing
Pigott's statement in the event Of theiI
genuineness being questioned, because be
understood il was useless 10 attempt 10
make a complete case, and further inquiries
would only handicap himself. He had nc
means whatever Of testing any part Of Pig
otis story, which he regarded as probable
especially ss the newspaper reports of the
dispute between Mr.. Parnell and the
American extremists 10 some extent con
firmed Pigott's story that the letters wer,
left in q bag found in room in Paris.
Witness showed the letters to Lord
Harrington, and asked his advice as "a
their disposition, bat his Lordship refused
to advise him. He did not offer the let
ters to the Pail lldH Gazette. He saw Mr.
Stead, editor OF the Gazette, before he OBJ
tsined possession of the letters. and asked
him to make up matter which would lead Il
the disclosures. Mr.. Stead said he had
lost 3, 900 pounds by the publication O
the "Modern Babylon" articles, and he
would not like to touch anything else
unless ne knew il wOuld be successful.
When witness visited Paris he had nc
genuine specimens Of either Mr.. PsrnelPs
or Mr.. Eacan's writing He accepted the
letters s1lely on Pigott's word. "If. said
the witness, "Pigott had been needy OF
fraudulent enough 10 attempt 10 c0mmi
perjury, my action would have assisted
MIN; but do net admit that he was either
PigOtps interviews with Mr.. Labouchere
shook my faith in him, an !, therefore, my
mind was rot easy unt!l he had signed the
sworn declaration"
Witness further said he might have told
Mr.. Stead that Messrs. Sexton and Dillon
were implicated in the Pteaix Park muir
ders, but if he did so, il was on the su-
ihority of G statement made by Eugere
Davis to Pigott, a copy OF which was pro-
duced by the witness. He did not know
where the original was. Two days before
the Commission opened Pigott wrote him
an abusive letter, demanding that after
giving testimony before the Commission
he shcuId be given > 600 pounds.
Mr.. Houston. ia the course Of his testi-
mony, said: Pigott only repeated what
other persons said Between October,
1856, and January, 1888, he paid PigOtt
goo, but the Times paid the bills from
May, 1887. lie understO0d that Pigott
Obtained thu second batch Of letters from
the same friends that supplied the first
batch, but he did not inquire about the
matter. He did not think it strange that
the second batch was not obtained earlier.
"Egsn was in Paris with Parnell,
DilloD, Brennan, and Harris, in
1881. He told Davis he had had long confer
ence with those gentlemen, and that they
had all agreed that the situation rendered
reprissls against England imperative, and
that Eugland's power could be neuiralized
only by removing az msny OF her Leading
men IS possible Walsh, Sheridan, and
others. we're to be sent TO Ireland TO plan
the murders.
Immediately after Parnell's arrest Egan
appealed to the Fenian leaders to execute
the work more energetically. Walsh went
to Dnblin and appointed Carey, Mulltt
and Curley ss his chief men. lyman,
Byrue. Colbert and Sheridan were slso
associated with him. Egan was invariably
consulted regarding the projected ou.rages
and murders Egsn strongly reproyed
lyman for falling to appear at KiDgbridge
in time 90 give the signal for Mr. Fosters
murder.
Davis was present in cafe in Paris
when Tyran related the whole history OF
the Phoenix Park murders. lyman took
pride in having given the signal for the
attack. Egan profe,sed to be highly de-
lighted, bu. regretted that lyman had not
work earlier. E2au gave
Byrne s. letter, fac smile of which
was published by the Times. There
was plot 10 murder the Prince
of Wales snd Mr.. Gladstone, during the
carnival at Cannes, Byne and lyman, were
within striking distance, bat did not at
tempt to carry out the plan. Houston,
under cross examination, said he Ola not
regard all of this statement as accurate.
This reply was greeted with laughter.
Houston said that the suggestion that he
destroyed Pigott's letters because they cast
doubt upon the gsuuineness of the letters
published by the Times was without ioun-
iation. He destroyed them because he
believed that if they we're allowed to exist
and were published, the lives OF rtain
persons would be placed at the mercy oil
certain assassins.
Richard Pig tt, well-iressed AID be-
nevolent looking man, apparently abont
50 years ofase, was thea called. lie tes-
.ified that he was proprietor of the Fenlan
,rgan. the Irishmdn, in 1868 he be
opged to the Supreme Council, F. B. All
members of the Amnesty Association 10
$50 were Feniaus Parnell be-
ouged. and about 1871 Bigger, !
Barry, Harris, Nearey, Mullett and
durp1y belonged TO the Supreme Council
# tue |. X. B. Witness belonged to the
{. r. B. until August. 1881. He was not
m active member. lie detailed the nego- |
iations in 1879 by which the Irishman and |
The Flag Of ireland were sold to company |
n which Parnell and Eagan were share
loldeis. He did not doubt that the League
provided the money.
The commission here adjourned.