Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-27
PERJUKEO rfaGOEr
Coufesses thst the Parnci Letters
are Esrgerie..

PERJUKEO rfGGOEr
Coufesses thst the Parneli Letters
are Esrgeries.
by Anglo-American cable 70 the Dispatchl
LOSDON. February 20.-Tbe Parnell Com.
mission resumed It's slt,ing this morning.
After the opening OF the court sir Charles
Russell arose and stated that on Saturday
Richard Piggott went 10 the residence OF Dir.
Henry Laboucbere and in the presence OF
Mr.. George Augustus Sala signed a confess
sion stating that the letters upon which the
Times based its charges against the Irish
members OF the House OF Commons were
torgeries. Sir Charles Russell applied
fOI variant for the arrest OF Pig
gott. Presidng.Justice Hammer said the
warrant would be ready in an hour.
Attorney. General Webster, for the Times,
said no other witness was ready and
that they would have 10 consider W bat course
to pursue. He would also have TO decide
Whistler or not be would resume any part OF
the case. When PiRgott was called TO again
take the stand he did not appear. After the
Court had waited for some time the counsel
for the Times stated 10 The Judges that Pig
gott bad left the hotel at which be was stop.
ping at II O'Clock last night, and that couu.
sci were ignorant OF bis WbereaOouts. This
statement caused sensation 10 the court
room. The Court toOS a recess Tor half an
hour, nj the expiration oil which time II
Piggott does not appear his papers at the
hotel VIII probably be seized.
DID NOT APPEAR.
Later.-Piggott was called to the stand
and the Court waited Tor him take bis place.
The witness, however, Gid not appear, and
his counsel was asked where he was. Toe
latter replied that Piggott had leit his hotel
last night AZ IL O'Clock, aud that he counsel
was ignorant OF his present whereabouts.
1hls caused a general sensation, and the
prevailing opinion was that Piggoit had
made his escape. Sir Charles Russell stated
TO The Court that he possessed letters and
documents which fixed Piggott a. Tue forger
OF the letters. He also said that Piggott
had confessed 10 Solicitor Lewis that he was
the forger. MIR. LabOuchere and Mr.. Par
nell, both oil whom were present. would
corroborate bis statement regar ling Pig
gotps confession. PiggOtt, uninyted. called
at kr. LabOuchere's on saturday and said
tnat he desired 10 confess. Mr. LobOuchere
would not listen to him unless witnesses
were present, whereup0n witnesses were
called, including Mr.. George Augustus Saia,
aud Piggott made his confession as stated.
Iut cOHItNslpu OF tnt iDiSfl was NlFu pib-
duced. In 1t Pggott admits tnat he forged
all the letters ascrIbed to Messrs. Egan,
Parnell. Davitt, and O'Kelly. lie also admits
that he periured himself before the commits
sion.
Attorney General Webster said that yes
terday morning shannon, the Dublin solicit
tor who Is assisting the Times, received a
letter from PiggOtt aud he would call shan.
non TO proeiL
Sir Charles Russell said be regretted he
had not heard OF the letter earlier. lie De.
sired to put in the evidence letter from
Egan TO LsbOuchefe.
Mr.. Webster objected.
MIR. Russell said that owing 10 the Attor-
Rey Generals objection he would not read
The letter, but as the letter with other docu-
menis bore upon Piggotrs disappearance be
claimed thaC in the interests OF Justice he
should make statement.
Presidng-Justice Hammer said that evil
deuce must be called in support OF the states
ment.
Sir Charles acQuiesced in this decision.
He added that the letter ond documents
showed the means by which he had fixed
upon Piggotl as fOrger. Piggou confessed
TO Mr. Lewis, Parnelfs solicitor, that he
was the fOrgeF. Lsbouchefe add Parnell,
fesson was made, would coirobOraie
this statement. On saturday Piggott, with
out invitation. called on Labouchere ald
stated that he desired 10 make q confession.
Lsbouchefe declined TO listen IL him unltss
witnesses were present, whe' -uOOn George
Augustus Sala was summoned and PlegOtt
made the confession referred so At the OPEN
ing OF the court TO-DAY. Nj. Russell also
said that wbsteyer course We, adopted 10y
tue Attorney.Geueral be Should pursue his
own course, and should Insist that the
whole matter Oe thoroughly investigated
because II was deliberately charged that be-
mind Piggott and Houston there had been
foul conspiracy. He asked the Court 10 inn
pound the documents which arrived at IN.
derton's address to PikgOtt IN care OF
Houston. Sir Charles added that Piggoit
bad made his ESCAPE, assisted by body.
guard consisting OF an Irish constable and
two ScOtiand-Yar detectives. Llbouchere,
Sir Charles said, had received letter
from Egan in July lsst, In consequence
Of which 4 number OF documents were
handed TO Lsbouchere. Sir Charles asked
permission to call witnesses to testify to the
information which the Court ought 10 have.
Russell further said that Piggott. IN the pre-
sence OF George Augustus Ssla, signed the
confession that the documents he nd pro-
ducei were forgerics, and that he was the
lorger. The confession was sent TO Lewis,
who Yesterday returned II to PIggott, saying
that ParnelI refused to have anything TO do
with him.
shannon was then called. He testified /:
al saw Pigg0tt before bis cTOss-eyamina-
ton, and at Piggotps request. Thursday.
Saturday, aud Sunday. PIggotI asked TO see
soames, who, however. wa, too busy. Pig.
gOti wrote a letter In my presence, when
refused to take. | told him II he believed
the facts were rightly set forth IN the letter
TO send il TO me. On Monday ! received
the letter and prepared the affidavit which
Piggott swore to before commissioner"
Mr.. Webster then read the letter written
by Piggott az Anderton's hotel sunday. In
this letter Plggott says: al informed La
bouchere on Saturday that forced all the
letters that gave to the Times. That is not
so. (Laughter.l got the first eleven let
ters from Casey at the Hotel du Monde, in
Paris. knew bin well. "Nurphy" was
the fictitious name. Casey had lodgings
where saw the letters In bag that Byrne
had left there. Casey had them three months
before could induce him TO sell
them. | paid him three fourths OF EJOO. !
These letters believe 10 he genuine. Toe
second batch comprised two Parnel letters |
and one Egan letter. forged the batch OF
Psrnel; letters and Casey forged the sigma
lures. Casey gave me Egsn's letter, winch |
do not don bt is genuine. The last batch |
comprised three letters-Davitps aud Okel |
ly's- which were similarly forged. Exams
letters were genuine; no Egan letter |
that gave the Times or Houston Is forged. |
My evidence about Eugene DAVIS Is correct. |
When making the statement 10 Laboucsere |
was afraid OF prosecution for forgery. La
bouchere promised the would not be pro- |
secuted II mase the statement. he also |
said that although be would not give me |
1000, be pledged bis word OF honor thai the |
ParnelIitss would give my children El,0OV, |
al he nfon,toaa 10 sac IL prneuiad for their I