The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-02-27
He Forged Many Of the Letters Which He Sold
to the London Times" for Which the Own
ers of that Paper Paid About SIP, 900.
Piggott Suddenly Disappears, and 1t Is
Presumed He Has Fled the Country.
An Attempt Will Be Made to Arrest and Pros
ecute Him for Perjury-The True Story Of
the Conspiracy Against Dir. Parnell.
THE FoRGER CoNFEssEs.
Piggott Calls on Labouchere and Makes En-
Confession Of His Infamy.

Piggott Calls on Labouchere and Makes Full
Confession Of His Infamy.
LONDON. Feb. 26.-The Parnell commits
sion resumed its sitting this morning.
After the opening of the court, Sir Charles
Russell arose and stated that on Saturday
Richard Piggott went to the residence of
Mr.. Henry Labouchere, and, in the pres
ence of Mr.. George Augustus Sala, signed
confession stating that the letters upon
which the Times based its charges against
the Irish members of the House of CON-
mons were forgeries.
When Piggott was called to again take
the stand he did not appear. After the
court had waited for some time, counsel for
the Times stated to the judges that Piggott
had left the hotel at which he was stopping
at IL O'Clock last night. and that the coun-
SCI were ignorant of his whereabouts. This
statement caused a sensation in the court
room. The court took recess for half an
hour, at the expiration of which time. if
Piggott does not appear, his papers at the
hotel would probably be seized.
Piggott. in his confession to Labouchere,
on Saturday, said he forged all the letters
have been written by Messrs Egan, Parnell,
Davitt and O'Kelly. He also admitted that
he had been guilty of perjury in his evil
dence given before the commission.
Mr. Soames solicitor for the Times, en-
phatically denies doing anything directly
or Indirectly, to assist Piggott to make his
escape.
Attorney-generalW Webster said that yes
terday morning Mr. Shannon, the Dublin
solicitor who is assisting the Times, re-
ceived a letter from Piggott, and he would
call Mr.. Shannon to prove it.
Sir Charles Russell said he regretted that
he had not heard of the letter earlier. He
desired to put in evidence a letter from
Egan to Labouchere.
Attorney-generalW Webster objected to the
introduction of the letter.
Sir Charles Russell said that owingto the
Attorney generals objection he would not
read the letter, but as the letter, with other
documents, bore upon Piggott's disappear
ance. he claimed that in the interest of JUS
tice he should make a statement.
Presiding Justice Hannen said that the
evidence must be called in support of the
statement.
Sir Charles acquiesced in the decision.
He added that the letter and documents
showed the means by which he fixed upon
Piggott as the forger. Piggott confessed to
Mr.. Lewis. Mr.. Parnelrs solicitor, that he
was the forger. Messrs. Labouchere and
Parnell. who were present when this con-
fession was made, would corroborate this
statement. On Saturday, Piggott, without
invitation, called upon Mr.. Labouchere and
stated that he desired to make confession.
Mr.. Labouchere declined to listen to him
unless witnesses were present, whereupon
Mr. George Augustus Sala was summoned,
and Piggott made the confession referred
to at the opening of the court
to-day. Sir Charles Russell also said
that whatever course was adopted
by Attorney general Webster, he should
pursue his own course and should insist
that the whole matter be thoroughly in
vestigated, because it was deliberately
charged that behind Piggott and Houston
there had been foul conspiracy. He asked
the court to impound the documents which
arrived at Anderton's, addressed to Pig
gOtt, in care of Houston. Sir Charles added
that Piggott had made b IS escape assisted
by a 6Odyguard consisting of an Irish
constable and two Scotland Yard detec-
tives. Mr.. LabOuchere, Sir Charles said,
uduItCclNeu d ltIteI GSdI, III July,
| 1885, in consequence of which number Of
documents were handed to Mr.. LabOuchere.
| Sir Charles asked permission to call wit
nesses to testify to information which the
court ought to have.
Sir Charles Russell further said that Pig
| gott, In the presence of Mr.. George Au-
| gustus Sala, signed confession that the
documents he had produced were forgeries,
and that he was the forger. This confession
| was sent to Mr., Lewis, who yesterday re-
turned it to Piggott, saying that Mr.. Par
| nell refused to have anything to do with
| him.
Mr.. Shannon was then called as wit
ness. He testified that on Sunday night
| Plgg0tt gave him a written statement de-
| nying the statement made to Mr.. Labouchere
| that he forged all the letters. Piggott said
! he believed that the first batch were gen.
uine; in the second batch two of the Par
Casey; the third batch, consisting of let
| ters from Messrs. Davitt and O'Kelly, were
| also forged by himself and Casey. Piggott
| added III his statement that, having now
world, the Times should deal leniently with
| him.
! Upon cross-examination Mr.. Shannon
| said he had taken no steps to prevent Pig
gott from bolting. He expected him to ap-
Sir Charles Russell demanded that the
| court summon the constable and detectives
| who were with Piggott in order that they
| might explain how he succeeded In getting
away.
Mr.. Houston testified that Piggott had
not taken his luggage with him. He pro-
| duced the letters left for Pig yott at Ander-
| toms, but they contained nothing of i'm
| portance. He also produced q letter Pig
| gott had addressed to him on Saturday
! asking for balance of f83 which PiggOtt
| said he had been often promised. PiggOtt
| in the letter. said he was told that he would
be prosecuted for perjury, and he wanted
the money to send to his poor children.
| Mr.. SOames was called, and produced let
| ters Piggott had written to him. In one
| letter, dated November, 1888, Piggott COM
| planned that Houston, after informing him
| that the Times had agreed to pay him
| $4,000, refused to make such promise
| good. Piggott claimed that according TO
| the agreement his name was to be con-
cealed, and he said if called as witness he
| would refuse to testify. He inclosed let
| ter from Mr.. Macdonald, in which the lat
ter guaranteed that Piggott's name should
! not be given In any court. Piggott wrote
| that if he was compelled to appear in court
| he would consider it unfair treatment. He
| said he was convinced that the cross-exam-
! ination would discredit his evidence. He
| offered to make an affidavit, but hoped he
would be allowed to leave the country.
| Mr.. Soames replied that the agreement
| as to secrecy had been removed as Piggott,
| Mr.. Labouchere and others rendered full