Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-26
PIGOTT CONFESSES AND FLIES.
He Says He Forged the Alleged Parnell
Letters and Perjured Himself.

LONDON, Feb. 26.-The Parnell commission
resumed its sitting this morning. After the
opening of the court Sir Charles Russell arose
and stated that on Saturday Richard Pigott
went to the residence of Mr.. Henry Labou-
chere, and, in the presence of Mr.. George
Augustus Sala, signed confession stating tina.
the letters upon which the Times based its
charges against the Irish members of the house
of commons were forgeries.
A Warrant Asked for Pigott's Arrest.
Sir Charles Russell applied for warrant for
the arrest of Pigott. Presiding Justice Hannen
said warrant would be ready in an hour. At
torney-General Webster, for the Times, said no
other witness was ready, and that they would
have to consider what course to pursue. He
would also have to decide whether or not be
would resume any part Of the case.
Pigott Had Fled.
When Pigott was called to again take the
stand, be 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 IL O'Clock
last night and that the counsel were ignorant of
his whereabouts. This statement caused sem
sation in the court room. The court took re-
cess for half an hour at the expiration of which
time, if Pigott does not appear, his papers at
the uottl VIII prODaDly De seNeQ
He Forged All the Letters.
Pigott, in his confession to Mr. Labouchere
on Saturday, said that he forged all the letters
secured by the Times which purported to have
been written by Messrs Eagan. ParnelI. Davitt.
and O'Kelly. He also admitted that he had
been guilty Of perjury in his evidence given be-
fore the commission.
Mr.. Soames. solicitor for the Times emphati-
cally denies doing anything directly or in
directly to assist Pigott to make his escape.
Attorney-General Webster said that yester-
day morning Mr.. Shannon, the Dublin solicitor
who is assisting the Times, received a letter
from Pigott, 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 La
bouchere.
THE ATToRSEY-oENERAL OBJECTS.
Attorney-General Webster objected to the
Introduction of the letter.
Sir Charles Russell said that owing TO the
attorney-generars objection he would not read
the letter. but as the letter with other docu-
ments bore upon Pigott's disappearance, he
claimed that in the interests of justice he should
make statement
Presiding Justice Hannen said that evidence
must be called in support of the statement
PIGoTT CONFESSED IN PARNELL's PRESENCE.
Sir Charles acquiesced in this decision. He
added that the letter and documents showed
the means by which he had fixed upon Pigott
as the forger. Pigott confessed to Mr.. Lewis,
MIR. Parnelfs solicitor, that he was the forger
Messrs. Labouchere and Parnell, who were
present when this confession was made. would
corroborate this statement. On Saturday
Pigott, without invitation, called upon Mr.
and stated that he desired to make
a confession. Mr.. Labouchere declined to
90
Mr.. George Augustus Sala was
and Pigo.t made the confession re-
ferred 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 investigated, because it was
charged that behind Pigott and |
Houston there had been a foul conspiracy. He |
asked the court to .impound the documents
which arrived at Anderton'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 Scotland Yard de- |
tectives.
Mr.. Labouchere. Sir Charles said, had re- |
,eiyed a letter from Egan in July. 1888, in con- |
sequence Of which q number Of documents |
we're handed to Mr.. Labouchere. Sir Charles /
asked permission to call witnesses to testify to /
which the court ought to have.
Sir Charles Russell further said that Pigott.
IN the presence Of Mr.. George Augustus Sala.
signed a confession that the documents he had |
produced were forgeries and that he was the /
Iorger. This confession was sent to Mr..
Lewis, who yesterday returned it to Pigott. |
'aying that Mr.. Parneil refused to have any.
hing to do with him.
SOLICITOR sHAxSox's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Shannon was then called as q witness.
BE testified that on Sunday night Pigott gave
him written statement made by Mr.. Labou-
here that he forged all the letters. Pigott
aid that he believed that the first batch were
genuine. Ip the second batch two Of the Par
lell letters were forged by himself and Casey.
rhe third batch, consisting Of letters from
dessrs. Davitt and 0'Kelly were also forged BY
limself and Casey. Pigott added in his state
nent that having now stated the truth and |
confessed before the world, the Times should
leal leniently with him.
Upon cross-examination Mr.. shannon said he
le had taken no steps to prevent Pigott from
'olting. He expected him 10 appear In court.