Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-09-20
THE WILLIAMS TRIAL.
The Dude Defendant Put on
the Stand.
HE COoLLY TELLS HIS TALE.
From the Cradle to the County Jail,
the G0rham PrOtege Reveals
His History in Brief.

From the CraQle 10 Che county jail,
the Gorham Protege Reveals
His History in Brief.
The case Of the people against A. G.
Williams, charged with forging the
name of Arthur G. Gorham to draft for
$500, occupied all yesterday in Depart
ment of the Superior Court, Judge Nc
Kinley presiding. During the forenoon
Deputy Sheriff J. G. Wray told of the
arrest of Williams in San Francisco, of
getting the DEFENDANTS papers land pic
lures on an order, and other matters not
of q particularly interesting nature.
Deputy Sheriff n. ". Brady also told
of conversations he had with the defen-
dant as to his name.
The principal event Of the day was the
putting OF the defendant on the stand in
his own behalf. This occurred in the
afternoon. Hon. J. M. Brooks con-
Quoted the examination. He made
Williams all his pilgrimage relate
FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE.
Williams stated that he was born in
Cairo, Illinois, about twenty-one years
ago, that is in 1868. At an early age he
was taken to Jackson, Mississippi, where
he was raised. He stated that he does
not remember ever seeing his father or
mother. His mother died when he was
Q mere child. He does not seem to
know who his father was. He was taken
from Jackson to Vicksburg by Mrs.
Sanguinetti, who was bringing him up.
Here he was given to a Mrs. Rose Will
liams, who was supposed to be his aunt.
He remained with her some years. With
Mrs. Sanguinetti ne passed under that
name, and with Mrs. Williams he was
known by her name. He knew Arthur
Gorham from the time he was years
old. He first met this person when he
was about 16 years old, in 1884.
BE BEGAN TO DO BUSINESS
For Gorham about this time. This was
in November of that year, and they were
at Kansas City. Williams went down to
Mexico with companion, and returned
to Kansas City to meet Mr.. Gorham.
They met at hotel there. He always
had understood that Gorham was his
godfather, and that it was he who pro-
vided for him. At Kansas City he asked
Gorham as to where he was to spend the
winter. He did not want to 90 South
again. 1t was arranged that he was to
accompany Gorham, and they went to
Chicago, Boston, New York and other
cities. This trip took up four months.
Williams was merely companion to
Gorham. He was too young
to do much business at that
time. In 1885 he began to
do business for Gorham. He "began
to have confidential relations at that
time with Gorhsm. They were around
Kansas City good deal during the next
few years. Gorham introduced Williams
generally as his nephew. After two OF
three years Arthur Gorham's nephew,
Frank, began to make trouble between
the two. As Williams puts it, this jeal
Gus relative "began raising q muss'' be
tween them.
II COULD DO ANYTHING WISHED"
In answer to question as to what he
could do with Gorhsm, Williams stated
that he could do anything he wanted to
do. He signed his checks and papers.
He signed checks, or drafts, frequently
The first time he signed Gorham'e
name to q check was in st. Louis
in the Southern hotel. 1t was for $500.
It was paid by the clerk of the hotel.
Williams went to the clerk and asked
him if he could draw for some money.
The clerk said he did not know. VIII
liams told him to wire an INQUIRY, and
the answer came back that it was all
right. The clerk paid the money. Both
the clerk and the proprietor of the hotel
saw him sign the name "Arthur Cor
ham" to the draft. This was two years
ago.
Arthur Gorham does business with
three banks. Williams told the clerk to
wire to one of these banks. He did SO,
and the money was paid on the answer.
The next draft to which Williams
affixed Gorham's name was drawn
ut Galveston, Texas. He was there
q check and got the funds. 1t was for
amount. Williams had an understand
ing with Gorham. that when he wanted
money he was to wire Gorham and find
out where he was. He was not to draw
too often on the same bank, and not to
draw at all until he had got q message
that Gorham was at this particular bank
The witness here stated that Gorham
is about 48 years old.
The next check, or draft, that Will
liams made was in st. Louis. 1t was
made in the office of q man named
Booth, decorator in st. Louis. At this
time Williams was about to 60 to New
York, and from there he was to 60 to
London. To this small check, as usual,
he signed the name Of Gorhsm, and the
money came.
Mr.. Williams next dip into Gorham' e
bank account was made in New York. II
was day or two after Washington
birthday. Williams said he knew this
because he got to New York on the day
of the birth Of the man who never told a
lie. This draft was for $500. 1t was in
1888. He got the money. Gorham was
in New York at the time, and gave the
defendant check out of his book, and
the amount was paid by New York
bank. Williams signed the check, but
used Arthur Gorham's name. He gave
Williams six blank checks on that occa-
sion. The next check he drew was in
Chicago. He did not draw any to gel
money to go to Europe. Gorham gave
him and w. @. Prosser, chum of his,
$1,000 to make that trip. He gave
him three bills for $1,000 each and
one for 5000. The two went to Europe
to see the cathedrals, etc. They went