Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-28

though croSs-examined without gloves py
Mr.. Burleigh. A number of witnesses tes'
tilted in favor of the Alderman.
The Alderman Porter trial for conspiracy
was continued before Judge Slagle in
Criminal Court yesterday. Richard Allen,
who was deputy constable and did some
work for Alderman Porter, testified that he
served the warrant on Mrs Clinton; was
present during the hearing, and was sure
that no money was paid.
Charles A Sullivan, Esq, testified as to
having acted for Mrs. MeMinniman, and
received from her S45, out of which he paid
the costs in the case. The witness fatty
coutradicted all the statements made on the
stand by Mrs. McMinnimsn, and also
denied having acted as attorney for the
Detective Agency.
Mrs. Celia Bosaler testified to having
visited Mrs. Clinton often, and that she
said she paid money to both Porter and
Sheppard. vet she would often contradict
herself Mrs. Drum was a witness In the
case against Mrs. MeNulty, and saw her
Law money on the 'Sauire's desk to pay
the costs, but the Squire refused to take 1t,
saving that the case would have to 60 to
court and the grand jury pass upon it.
John S. Robb, ESQ.,, testified that Alder
man Porter had consulted him about a re-
hearing 10 the case OF Maud Campbell. and
that he advised the Squire that rehear-
ing could be had where the defendant was
not in condition to make q proper defense at
the first hearing.
Thomas Hogan testified that he thought
he heard ]. j. Jordan, Esq, say that the
Porter gang had been indicted, and he
would see that that they would get four
wears apiece, but he was not quite sure
of 1t, as be paid little attention to it. Will
lam Desso, clerk for Alderman Porter,
stated that be remembered the Squire telling
Mrs. McMinniman to Quit fortune telling
and 10 embark in the grocery or some other
business.
Alderman ". b. Porter was then called
to the stand, and testified that he had been
Alderman in the Fifteenth ward for II
years. He had been commissioned by the
court as a detective and to conduct detec-
tive agency. The original purpose of the
agency was to make place for Hugh DAILY,
SO that he might ferret out Allegheny Val
lev Railroad thieves. The only other de-
tective specially engaged was a man named
L
deputy constables, while Packer was the
regular constable of the ward. Tom Car
neT was about the office; he served
subpenas, ETC., but never executed a war
rant. The list OF persons who testified that
they had paid money for the settlement of
cases was gone over, and specific denial
entered in each case. The only money re-
ceiYed was as costs. The witness stated that
there was only one case where he ever ad-
vised that a settlement be made, and that
was in the case of a woman named Kate
Cordell, who was poor and had large FAM
ily. Her husband was an old soldier and
was paralYzed. He did advise the settle
ment Of that case, purely on charitable
grounds. The case against Mrs. Curry was
entered after the inquest on o girl who had
committed suicide because of bad things
predicted that would happen to her by a
fortune teller, and was discharged for a lack
of evidence.
The cross-examinatlon, which was rather
severe, was conducted by Mr.. Burleigh.
Mr.. Porter, however, gave prompt answers
and was not tangled up very much.
Mr.. Burleigh-The money that you got as
a forfeit from the girls in the house OF Mabel
Gilbert did you turn over to the city?
Mr.. Porter-I think did, or else 1 still
Il
Mr.. Burleigh-Do you say that Mr.. Jor-
dan did not pay you any money?
Mr.. Porter-He did not, unless it was bor-
rowed money.
Mr. Burleigh-Did he ever borrow s2S
from you?
Mr.. Porter-No, sir, he did not. I never
had confidence enough in him to lend him
that amount.
Mr.. Burleigh-Did Laura Bailey ever
act as one of your detectives?
Mr.. Porter-No. sir; she did not.
Mr.. Burleigh-You did not collect costs
from the county in any of these cases cited?
Mr.. Porter-No, sir; 1 did not. The reason
was that at the time there was considerable
newspaper talk about Aldermen collecting
costs from the county, and 1 wanted to be
careful. In the last 13 months 1 have not
collected one-half of nv costs.
Mr. Burleigh-How much did you collect |
in 1892
Mr. Porter-I can't state Just now, but if |
you will give me until tomorrow morning 1 |
will tell YOU every name and every cent 1 |
collected for five wears.
Mr.. Burleigh-Did you ever collect costs
from both the prosecutor and the county?
Mr.. Porter-I did in one case bv mistake. |
That was in the case of Mrs. McNulty, and |
as soon as discovered the mistake 1 gave the |
money to Mr.. Bremen, who was Mrs.
MeNulty's attorney, to be sent 10 her as a
matter of justice.
Mr.. Porter further testified that he had |
been deputy Mayor for II years and for
two years acting Mayor of the city. He |
was still on the stand when court adjourned. /
The case will 20 on to-day,