The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-27
TRUTH PREVAILS.
Pigott, the Leading Liar Of the Times
Combination, Makes a Startling
Confession.
An Acknowledgement Before Wit
nesses that the Parnell and Egan
Letters Were Forgeries.
The story OF the Conspiracy and How
EKAn Got 10 the Bottom OF II
-Fllght OF Pigott.

mission resumed It's sitting this morning
Russell stated that on Saturday Richard
Pigott went TO the residence of Henry La
bouchere, and, In the presence OF George
Augustus sals, signed a confession, stating
the letters upon which the Times based Its
charges against the Irish members OF the
house OF commons were forgerles.
Sir Charles Russell applied for a warrant
for the arrest OF Pigott Presiding Justice
Hammer said the warrant would be ready
in an hour. Attorney General Webster,
for the Times, said no other witness was
ready, and he would have 20 consider what
course 10 pursue. He would also have 10
decide whether or not he would resume
any part OF the case. When Pigott was
called again TO the stand he did not appear.
After the court had waited some time
counsel for the Times, stated 10 the Judge
that Pieott bad left the hotel at which he
was stopping, Mt III o'clock last night, and
that counsel were ignorant OF his where
abouts. This statement caused sensation
In the court room.
The court then took recess for half an
hour.
When court resumed Attorney General
Webster said that yesterday morning Shan
non, the Dublin solicitor, who is assisting
the Times, received letter from Pigott
Charles Russall said he regretted he had
not heard OF the letter earlier. He desired
TO put In evidence letter from Egan TO
Labouchere Webster objected 10 the In
PRODUCTION of the letter. Russell said that
owing TO the attorney generals objection
he would not read the letter, but as this
letter, with other documents, bore upon
Pigotrs disappearance, he claimed In the
interest of justice he should make state
Insfiaa Hannah aoiA A a. 80 m t0f
be called In TO the support OF the statement
Sir Charles acquiesced. He added the let
ter and documents showed the means by
which he had fixed upon Pig0tt ~ f0rger.
Pigott confessed 10 Lewis, Parnell's solicit
or, that he was the forger. Labouchere
and Parnell, who were present when this
confession was made. would corrob0rate
this statement. Saturday Pigott, without
invitation, called upon Labouchere and
stated he desired 20 make o confes-
sion. Labouchere declined to listen nn-
less witnesses were present, whereupon
Sala was summoned and Pigott made the
confession. Russell also said that what
ever course Was adopted by Attorney
General Webster, he should pursue his own
course, and should insist that the whole
matter be thoroughly investigated, because
Pigott and Houston there had been q foul
conspiracy. He asked the court to I'm
pound the documents which had arrived
addressed 10 Pigott In the care Of Houston.
Sir Charles added that Pigott had made
his escape assisted by bodyguard consist
ing OF an Irish constable and two Scotland
Yard detectives. Laboucbere, Sir Charles
said, had received letter from Egan In
July, 1883, In consequence OF which num-
Der OF documents were handed 10 Labou
chere. Sir Charles asked permission "a
call witnesses TO testify TO the information
which the court ought TO have.
Russell further said Pigott, In the pres
ence Of George Augustus Sala, signed Z
confession that the documents he had pro
duced were forgeries and that he was the
forger. The confession was sent TO Lewis
who. yesterday returned II TO pigott say.
| ing Parnell refused 10 have anything 10 do
with him. shannon was then called as Q
witness. He testified that Sunday night
Pigott gave him written statement deny
| Ing the statement made 10 Labonchere thai
| he forged all the letters Pigott said he
believed the first batch was genuine. In
the second batch two OF the Parnell letter,
were forged by himself and Casey. Ths
third batch, consisting OF letters from Dav
self and Casey. Pigott added In his state
ment that having now stated the truth ant
confessed before the world, the Times
should deal leniently with him. UpoI
cross examination shannon said he hat
taken no steps 10 prevent Pig0tt from
bolting. He expected him to appear Ii
court
Russell demanded the court summon
the constable and detectives who were will
Pigot, that they might explain how he sue
ceeded In getting away. Houston testifie,
that Pigott had not taken his luggage witt
him. He produced letters left for Pigot
at Anderson's, but they contained nothinI
OF importance. S0ames was called. Ill
said Pigott sent him letter In which h
said that according 10 agreement his nam
was 10 be concealed and that II called b
was sure his testimony woul,
be discredited on cross examins
tion. daughter He wanted b
make an affidavit and leave the country
Soames replied the agreement OF secrec,
had been removed by Plgotts visit 20 La
bOuchere, and he must make full disclos
ure. The Times would see him unharmed
Pigott then wrote that II he had agreed 3
testify he would, but that II would endan
sponsible for his (Pigott negotiation witt
Labouchere. S0ames further testified this
he did not tell counsel that Pigott was tn
source OF the letters before the c0mmissio
was appointed. though he had no doubt b
had told Walter where they came from.
shannon testified that he saw Plgot
at noon yesterday. October 10 Pigott n
leased witness from the obligation OF 8,
crecy. Until then he had not mentione
PiRotts name 70 counsel.
Russell stated he would prove Pigott ha
committed q series OF forgeries. but th
court would not allow the evidence TO
presented.
Lewis. Of Parnelps counsel. testified tina
LabOuchere wrote a confession and Pigo
signed II. Even after the conference wi
ness expected Pigott would be In court q
day.
Attorneys General Webster asked that n
adjournment be taken until tomorrow
enable his clients 10 consider thel
position and decide as 10 whl
part OF the case they should abandon. II
clients, he said, also wished 10 ascertal
whether Pigott was accessible. He WI
prompted 20 announce tomorrow n
course 10 be pursued by the Times. tn
commission then adjourned.
Prof. Mcguire, Houston's patron an
colleague, who had been summoned
testify for the Times, died suddenly to-da
It's reported he had q stroke OF ap0ple,
upon hearing Pig0tt had fled.
CHICAGO, Feb. 25-Alexander Sulllvs
this morning received the following cabi
gram from Michael Davltt: "Pigott hl
bolted. The general belief here is q
Times and government paid him TO cle'
out"