The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-03-05
SNAKE Hills SCANDAL
Tom Trotter Says Spears
Was Not In Mrs.
Barry's Room.
INVESTIGATION STOPPED
So That No More Witnesses Might
Be Tempted to Perjure
Themselves.

When Tom Trotter, Johnny O'Brien
and Tommy Fallon, employees OF the
Board of Street and Water Commits
sioners, landed on Snake Hill yesterday,
mentally murmured .good-by" to fur
ther investigation of the frightful scan
dals said to exist among the employees at
the different institutions Every one in
this city knows Mr. Trotter and his value
as witness, and Mr.. O'Brien is his friend
and admirer
Both of these men belong in the First
district, where Harry Spears, the accused
attendant, halls from. This district is
represented in the Board of Freeholders
by Mr.. John German, who has taken an
active interest in the work of trying to
prove that eminently respectable woman
attendant, Mrs. Hogan, a perjurer, and
Mrs. Ellen Barry and Mr.. Harry Spears
paragOns of virtue. twill be remem bered
that at the investigation begun week
ago Mrs. Hogan testified positively, in a
manner that carried conviction, that she
saw Spears on the bed in Mrs. Barry 3
room, and that Mrs. Barry was in the
room at the time, which was said to be
about eight O'Clock Christmas night.
his wife were at the Academy of Music
at the time mentioned, and he claimed
that it was impossible for him to be at
Snake Hill any part of the day, for he
was, until half past six o'clock, in Tom
Trotter's saloon, too late for him TO
catch a train to take him to Snake Hill.
MRS, BARRY DISAPPEARS
To prove this alibi he caused Tom
Trotter, John O'Brien and his wife to
appear as witnesses. Mrs. Barry, ex-
pecting TO be able to testify and perhaps
clear her name of the reflections cast on
it, also went to the HILL arriving there
at eleven O'Clock. When asked If she
would be interviewed she replied mo, {"
she had nothing to say to the press.
lii this connection it may be said that
soon after Mr.. Trotter and O'Brien
reached the Hill they were met
near the Asylum by Freeholder German
who was for some time engaged in very
interesting conversation with them and
that when the investigating Committee
met half an hour later it was announced
that Mrs. Barry had returned TO her home
on the one O'Clock train declaring she did
not want to be witness and attempt to
explain away the charges made against
her by Mrs. Hogan.
When Chairman Kimmerly called the
Committee together there were present
Messrs. Pfingsten, Hennessey, Tierney
Ellis, German and Nelson. Free
holder Pfngsten conducted the principal
portion OF the examination.
TOM TROTTER TO THE RESCUE.
Thomas Irotter was the first witness
called, and he testified:
II work for the Street and Water Com
missioners, have no store; the one you
refer to belongs TO my son; it Is at No. $50
Montgomery street; have known Spears
about fifteen years; he was in my sonss
manned pretty much all the afternoon.
was there until eight O'Clock and Spears
staid until between six and seven O'Clock;
he came into the saloon alone. but I saw
him converse with Mr.. O'Brien.'
What did he do all this timess asked
Mr. Pfingsten.
well. he would take cigar and a
glass of-of-a ginger ale or something;
of course wasn't watching him to see
what he drank"
Last week Spears admitted that he
drank beer in the place. Mr.. Trotter
could not remember whether Spears
played cards, but he could remember the
time he went home.
John O'Brien was next called by the
defence. He swore he lived at No. 168
Montgomery street and had known
Spears sixteen or seventeen years.
'Did you see him on Christmas Day
last" Mr.. Ping5ten enquired.
Eyes, sir: met him in Tom Trotter's
saloon; the last time / saw him was
about four O'Clock; left the bar-room
then, and when | returned at seven
O'Clock he had gone away"
"Did you play cards in the saloon with
himl"
Eyes, sir.''
What was the cause of your coming
here today?n was the next query.
II came here to testify that Spears was
in Tom Trotter's saloon"
FOR HER HUSBAND.
Mrs. Jane Spears, the wife of the ac-
cused was the next witness. She said:-
II am the wife of Harry Spears, an at
tendant ut the asylum; | was at home
Christmas night until about seven
O'clock, and then went to the Academy
to see .Hermine;' my husband went with
me and we sat in the third or fourth row
on the balcony; there was no one with us
but many persons saw us who knew u.s.,
No one asked the witness who thes'
persons were and why they were noe
brought to the Hill as witnesses to cort
this statement.
1.-The play had three acts; it was not
comic or sad; there were no negro, Irish
or Dutch characters in the play; / don't
much about it, for | have a
very poor memory.
''Do you know the difference between a
COIllS OpClA eshSt q NApA469 4AA- l. unB-
stem asked.
mo, sir; the scenery was very nice,
but l don't remember what it was"
This concluded the investigation, if the
farce may be dignified by such a term,
aud Mr. German moved that the further
calling of witnesses be dispensed with
and the press be given the result today
OF the committees conclusions.
PROSECUTOR KIMBERLY.
81 agree to this," said Mr.. Kimmerly,
because want to go over the evidence
before review 1t before the committee
edo | understand said Freeholde.
Ellis, 'that you are acting as prosecutor
in this matt,r?
81 am doing what Freeholder German
is doing for the defence, whom he repre-
sents.
well, don't care to make speech
over the NATTER said Mr.. German, and
Mr., Ellis concluded the discussion by say
ing he did not think man should be
and then sit as juror in a
case The committee adjourned.
After the committee adjourned one
Freeholder Indignantly remarked
1T is better to adjourn and offer no more
chances for more perjury"