The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-27
INNOCENT
Forger Pigott Makes a Full
Confession.
xeAs A cLEvxE DETECTIVE


LONDON, Feb. 8-The Parneli com
mission resumed It's sitting this morn
ing. Russell stated that on Saturday
Richard Pigott went 70 the residence
of Henry Labouchere. and in the pres
ence Of George Augustus sala signed
q confession stating that the letters
upon which The Times based It's charges
against the Irish members of the house
OF commissioners were forgeries.
Sir Charles Russell applied for war
rant for she arrest of Pigost. Presid-
ing Justice Hannen said the warrant
you'd be ready in an hour.
Attorney General Webster, for the
Times. said 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 re-
sumo any part of the case.
When Pigott was called to again
take the stand he did not appear. AT
ter the court had waited for some time
counsel for the Times stated to the
judge that Pigott had left the hotel AT
which he was stopping at III o'clock
last night, and that counsel were ig-
norant OF his whereabouts.
The statement caused a sensation in
the court room. The court took re-
cess for half an hour
Webster said that yesterday morn
ing shannon, the Dublin solicitor who
is assisting the Times, received letter
from Pigost, and he would call shan
non TO prove il.
Sir Charles Russell said he regretted
he had not heard of the letter earlier.
He desired to put in evidence letter
from Egan to Labouchere. Webster
objected to the introduction of the
letter.
Russell said that owing to the at
torney generals objection he would
not read the letter, but as the letter,
with other documents, bore upon Pig
otis disappearance, he claimed, In
the interest OF justice, that he should
make statement. Justice Hannen
said evidence must be called in sup
port of the statement.
Sir Charles acquiesced. lie added
that the letter and documents showed
the means by which he had fixed upon
Pigott as the forger. Pigott confessed
10 Lewis, Parneliis solicitor. that he
was the forger. Labouchere and Par
nell, who were present when this con-
fession was made. would eorroborate
this statement. Last Saturday Pigott,
without invitation, called upon La
bouchere and stated that he desired to
make confession. Labouchere de-
eiined to listen unless witnesses were
present. whereupon Sala was sum
moned and Pjgott made confession.
Russell also said that whatever
course was adopted by Attorney-Gene-
raj Webster, he should pursue bis own
course and should insist that the whole
matter be thoroughly investigated, be-
cause it was deliberately charged that
behind Pigott and Houston there had
been aconspiracy. He asked the court
to impound documents which had ar
rived at Anderson'S addressed 10
Pigott in care of Houston.
sir Charles added that Pigott had
made his escape assisted by body
guard consisting of an Irish constable
and two Scotland Yard detectives.
Labouchere. Sir Charles said, bad
received letter from Egan in July.
1883. in consequence of which docu-
ments were handed to Labouehere.
Sir Charles asked permission to call
witnesses TO testify to information
which the court ought to have.
Russell further said that Figott, in
the presence of George Augustus Sala,
signed confession that the docu-
ments he had produced were forgeries
and that he was the forger. The con-
lession was sent to Lewis, who yester-
day returned it to Pigott, saying Par
nell refused to have any thing 10 do
with him.
Shannon was then called as a wit
ness. He testified that on Sunday
night Pigott gave him written state
ment denying the statement made to
Labouchere that he forged all the let
ters. Pigott said he believed the first
batch Was genuine. In the second
batch two of the Parneii letters were
forged by himself and Casey. The
third batch, consisting of letters from
Davitt and 0'keily, 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 shonid deal lem
iently with him.
Upon cross-examination Shannon
said he had taken no steps TO prevent
Pigott from boiling. He expected
him TO appear in court
Russell demanded that the court
summon the constable and detectives
who were with Pieott, that they might
explain how he succeeded in getting
away.
Houston testified that Pigott had
not taken his luggage with him He
produced the letters left for Pigott at
Anderson's, but they contained
nothing of Importance.
Soames was called. lie read a letter
from Pigott. IN which he said that ac-
cording 20 the agreement his name
was TO be concealed. and that II called
to testify he would refuse, as he was
sure bis testimony would be disagree
able on cross-examination. Laugh
ter He wanted TO make an affi
and leave the country. Soames re-
piled that the agreement OF secrecy
had been removed by P.gott's visit 10
Labouchere. and he must make full
disclosure. The 7gmes would see him
unharmed. He said he had not agreed
10 testify, and if be did his opponents
would frame evidence to utilize his
testimony and endanger his life He
declared Houston was responsible Tor
his tPigott's) negotiations with La
bouchere. Soames testified that he
did not tell counsel that Pigoft was
the source of letters before the COM
mission was appointed. though he had
no doubt he Told where they came
from.
shannon saw Pigott at noon yester-