, 1889-02-27
PIGOTT. HAS FLED.
The Case of the Times" Gone
to Pieces.
Pigott the Perjurer and Forger
Forced to Flee.
He Makes a Full Confession
Before Departing.

LONDON, Feb. 26-The Parnell COM
mission resumed its sitting this morning.
Sir Charles Russell stated that on Satur-
day Richard Pigott went to the residence
of Henry L~abouchere, and in the pres
ence OF George Augustus Sala, signed a
confession stating that the letters upon
which the Times based its charges against
the Irish members Of the house of com
mons were forgeries.
Sir Charles Russell applied Eor.a war
rant for the arrest of Pigott. Presiding
Justice Hammer said the warrant would
be ready in an hour. Attorney General
Webster Tor the Times said that no other
witness was ready. and he would have to
consider what course to pursue. He
would also have to decide whether or not
he would resume any part of the case.
When Pigott 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
Pigott had left the hotel at which he was
stopping at ii O'Clock last night and that
counsel were ignorant of his whereabouts.
This statement caused a sensation in the
court room. The court thep took a recess
for half an hour, at the expiration OF
which time il Pigott does not appear his
papers at the hotel will probably be
seized.
Attorney General Webster said yester-
day morning that Shannon. who is assist
ing the Times, received letters from
Pigott and he would call Shannon to
prove it. Sir Charles Russell said he re-
GREETED he had not heard of the letter
earlier. He desired to put in evidence a
letter from Egan to L~abouchere. Web
ster objected to the introduction Of the
letter. Russell said owing to the attor-
ney generals objection he would not read
the letter but as the letter with other doc
uments bore upon Pigott's disappearance
he claimed in the interest of Justice that
he should make a statement.
Justice Hannah said evidence must be
called in support of the statement.
Sir Charles acquiesced. He added that
the letter and documents showed the
means by which he fixed upon Pigott as a
forger. Pigott confessed to Lewis, Par
nells solicitor, that he was a forger.
Labouchere and Parnell, who were pres
ent when this confession was made, would
corroborate this statement. Saturday
Pigott. without invitation, called upon
Labouchere and stated that he desired to
make a confession. Labouchere declined
to listen unless witnesses were present,
whereupon Sala was summoned and Pigott
made a confession.
Russell also SAID hat whatever course
was adopted by Attorney General Webs
ter he should pursue his own course, and
should insist that the whole matter be
thoroughly investigated, because it was
deliberately charged behind Pigott and
Houston flat fhara lol hnan N co,1 o.,
spiracy. He asked the court to impound
the documents which had arrived at An
derson's addressed to Pigott in care of
Houston. Sir Charles added that Pigott
had made his escape. assisted by a body
guard consisting of an Irish constable and
two S ;otland yard detectives.
Labouchere. Sir Charles said, had
received a letter from Egan in July, 1888
in consequence of which a number OF
documents were handed to Labouchere.
Sir Charles asked permission to call wit
nesses to testify to information which the
court ought to have. Russell further
said Pigott in the presence of George
Augustus Sala signed n confession that
the documents he had produced were
forgeries and that he was the forger. The
confession was sent to Lewis who vester-
day returned them to PIgott saying that
Parnell refused to have anything to do
with him.
Shannon was then called as a witness.
He testified that Sunday night Pigott
gave him a written statement denying
the statement made to Labouchere that
he forged all the letters. Pigott said he
believed the first batch genuine. In the
second batch two of the Parnell letters
were forged by himself and Casey. The
third batch. consisting of letters from
Davitt n O'kellY, were also forged by
himself and Casey. Pigott added in his
statement that having now stated the
truth and confessed before the world the
Times should deal l~eniently with him.
Upon cross-examination Shannon said he
had taken no steps to prevent Pigott from
boiling. He expected him to appear in
court. Shannon saw Pigott at noon yes
terday. October 10 Pigott released wit
ness from the obligation of secrecy. Until
then he had not mentioned Pigott's name
to counsel. Russell stated that he would
prove that Pigott committed a series of
forgeries. The court would not allow the
evidence presented.
Attorney General Webster asked that
adjournment be taken until to morrow to
enable his clients to consider their position
and to decide as to what part of the case
they should abandon. His clients, he
said, also wished TO ascertain whether
Pigott was accessible. He promised to
tomorrow the course to be pur-
sued by the Times.
The commission then adjourned.
A WARRANT ISSUED.
The magistrate at Bow street police
court, at the instance of Parnell and
Lewis, this afternoon issued a warrant for
the arrest of Pigott on the charges of
perjury and forgery.
SUDDEN DEATH.
Prof. Mcguire. Houston's patron and
colleague, who had been summoned to
testify for the Times, died suddenly to
day. 1t is reported hat he had a stroke
of apoplexy upon hearing that Pigott had
fled.
NO TRACE OF THE FUGITIVE.
st 10 o'clock tonight the police had
not found any trace of Pigott. The latter
bod pnufad IN hio hopoaGaaaa - n.l1.u =.