Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-09-18
THE SWEAT BOX.
Woodruff, Ives Partner, is Subjected to
Most Rigid Examination,
And Shows Himself to Have Been Mere Pup
pet Of the Financial Napoleon.
Ives Cheerful.

NEW YORK, Sept. II f. w. WOOD
ruff of Ives-Staynor fame was in the
general sessions building early this morn
ing. He was at once ushered into the
Office of the assistant district attorney
and the doors were closed behind him.
Woodruff had scarcely disappeared when
Henry s Ives, fianked on either side by
three deputy sheriffs, made his appear
ance. Ives looked much better this
morning than he has for some days. He
seemed to be in good spirits, too, for in
few minutes after reaching the court room
he made his way to where the newspaper
men were and with the sauvity for which
he is well known asked or rather re-
marked ''Are you writing truth or f1c-
ton, gentlemen?'' Receiving indirect
and somewhat evasive replies to his ques-
ton, MIR. Ives changed his seat and
made preparation for the days ordeal
through which he would have to pass
soon. COusellOr Brock came in and he
and Ives put their heads together and in
whispers held an animated conversation.
Woodruff again took the stand. In
answer to questions he stated that he was
born in Newark, N. J., end had at.
tended public schools IN that city. The
witness said he and Ives were clerks to-
gether.
s'Were you intimate with Iyes?"
asked the counsel.
81 don't know what you mean by
that - was the reply.
"Were you on good terms with him?'
''OUr acquaintance was merely cas-
ual one. -
The witness here went on to give a
sketch Of the many places he held in his
lifetime. One day after he had been with
Ives about five months the latter came
to him and told him he was q partner
in the business. He (Woodruff) said all
right, and that he was glad Of it. 1t
was understood that Woodruff was to
get Is per cent. of all the profits. This
continued for about two or three months.
In the year 1886 the name of the firm
was Henry S. Ives & Co. The company
was Woodruff, All he had to do was to
obey Mr.. Ives.
''Then you were an automaton, and
did nothing until ordered?'
"Well, that is getting it down pretty
fine, came the reply.
eyes, it is; but that was your position
according to your own words.
owen, never did anything unless
was ordered by Mr.. Ives. -
''When was the partnership between
Ives, Staylor s. Doremus formed?"
About February, 1856"
The witness was in the employment of
the new firm as confidential clerk of the
the firm He was told that Staynor OBJ
jected to him as q partner, but later on
Staynor denied this. He continued
with the firm until the date of the as
signment Witness had heard he had
been elected secretary Of the Columbus,
Hamilton and Dayton railroad, but
how, where or when he heard this he
was unable to tell. He had not sought
the office. Mr.. Staynor was opposed TO
everything he Woodbury. did on general
principles. Between the heat of the
courtroom and the fiery ordeal Of the
cross examination Woodruff suffered
much. Perspiration ran down his fore
head and face in streams, and his in
maculate shirt bosom and collar became
wilted early in the tuInult Woodruff tried
to look cool and uneoncerned, but his
efforts were futile. To-day Woodruff
fell back many times upon the 81 don It
know principle, but the counsel fol-
lowed him up uurelentingly. Wood
ruff did not know who had the books and
seal. He could not say whether Ives or
he had them, nor could he tell which
way they went to Staynor's house or
how long it took them to get there. In
fact, at this stage of the crOss-examina-
ton the witness lapsed into complete
know nothing, so to speak. As to their
return from Brooklyn, his mind, he
averred, was complete blank.