The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-23
SELF CONVICTED.
Perjurer Pigott Confessss on the
Witness Stand that He is a Stu
pendous Falsifier.
HE Entire Energies Apparently d.
rected to Blackmailing Prominent
Men OF England and Ireland.
The Times People and Secretary Forster
Prove to be the Ones Who Most
Easily Fell His Victims.


nell commission reassembled. The cross
examination OF Richard Pigott was contD-
ued. He admitted writing letter 10 Arch
bishop Walsh which Sir Charles Russell
produced in court, and which contained
the statement that the documentary and
personal evidence 10 be produced before
the commission could be rendered harmless
by the exposure of the means by which II
had been obtained. At the suggestion OF
Presiding Justice Hannen Archbishop
walsh's letter to Pigott, part OF which was
read yesterday, was read In extenso. The
archbishop referred 10 the fact that there
had been systematic lying concerning the
nationalist cause. Witness now admitted
receiving this letter. He said when he
wrote TO the archbishop he was In
very distressed circumstances, owing TO
having received no money from Houston.
Witness other work had been neglected
ana lost He therefore wrote to Arch
bishop Walsh, hoping he would submit the
matter to the Parnellite members OF the
house of commons and induce them 10 pro-
vide witness with means with which to
leave the country In return for the inf0r-
nation witness should give. Witness was
startled and surprised when the letters ap'
peared In the Times and considered II
breach Of faith. He wrote 10 Houston,
strongly protesting against their publica-
ton. Sir Charles Russell demanded this
letter be produced. Houston here said he
had forgotten receiving IL. On being fur
ther pressed, Pigott voluntarily exclaimed
81 may say at once that the statements l
made to Archbishop Walsh were inbound
ed.' This statement produced sensa'
tion.
"You deliberately wrote liesP"
Witness replied, "Well, exaRgerati0ns."
Sir Chas. Russell-"Did your exaggera-
tlons contain no truth 2"
Witness-"Very little. (Laughter.)
forgot what | meant when / wrote To
Archbishop Walsh that the charges were a
mixture of what believed TO be true and
untrue" Continuing, witness said be
knew criminal proceedings we're projected
when he wrote saying he could nullify
them by exposing the discreditable means
by which Ii was sought TO institute pro-
ceedings. He could not say what the pro-
ceedings were TO be taken for. he imag-
ined they were for completely
in the Phoenix Park murder,
but there was no foundation
for the statement. Witness again wrote 10
nish further Information. In reply 70 his
letter the archbishop said: 81 understand
you are anxious 20 make statement 10
assist the victims OF fraud and slander by
exposing the fraud and slander. l cannot
refuse 10 accept such a statement. i accept
your assurance that you took no part In
the publication" Witness said that he
forgot writing the statement
Sir Charles Russell read a letter dated
MAY 8 TO chbishop Walsh, In which Pig
Oft offered 10 make personal written state
ment Witness admitted making q state
ment 10 Archbishop Walsh between May
s and May 7. He had written to Arch
bishop Walsh recently, but denied he had
done so in order TO again obtain written
statement.
Sir Charles Russell read q letter from
May Z, In which the Archbishop said he
assumed Pigott either knew the author OF
the fraud OF knew what measures had
been taken to procure the fraudulent EVIL
dence. The writer said he did not wish TO
know the name of the gentleman who was
at the bottom Of the matter. Sir Charles
Russell pressed witness, who reluctantly
admitted he had Houston In mind when he
wrote.
Sir Charles Russell quoted from letter
written by Pigott TO Archbishop Walsh,
Nav ~. Witness said he could not say
what the latest proposition mentioned In
the letter meant. He only remembered
making one proposition. namely: That he
had been shown the compromising letters,
and his opinion having been asked as TO
the genulneness OF the letters,h he had stated
| the letters credited 10 PArnell were rather
doubtful. This statement created q sensa
| ton In the court room. Witness further
| testified he would not swear that he had
| not told Archbishop Walsh that the letters
were forgeries. (Laughter). lie doubted
| the authenticity Of the letters because be
| did not know the handwriting OF the bodies
OF them. He believed he told Archbishop
Walsh he Thought the Egan letters were
genuine. but would not swear he did. liz
was moi sure whether Houston ever ex
pressed doubts as 10 the genuineness of the
| ietters- IL was not owing 10 H0ust0n'l
donbts that witness offered 10 return th,
monev.
Sir tharles Russell read a letter 10 Arch.
hisbon walsh from Pjpott. In which hi
said. "i trust y0ur grace will do me the
iustice IN helIeye am moi the fabricator OF
ths letters as ia falsely alIeQed.r