St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-13
been present, but he was detained in St.
Do,
BLACK FOR nEnPERN.
Frank Grygla Testifies to Full
Confession.

Confession.
Yesterday morning the Heilpern case
was taken into the large court room in
order to make room for the crowd of in
terested spectators who had made the
little criminal court room fairly oppres-
sive. Judge Lochren asked Attorney
Hart If he had any further argument to
make in regard to the question of speci-
fed dates, but that gentleman had ex-
hauSted his batteries ON that subject,
and so Expert Donaldson was again
called. He went into detail in regard
to the manner in which Heilpern had
doctored the books, so that they Only
showed shortage of some S425. This
part of the testimony was rather dry.
and was followed by examinations of
ledgers and wholesale books. filling up
the entire time of the morning.
In the afternoon Assistant BOOkkeep-
er Fossen was placed on the stand to tell
what he knew about the location Of the
with it. He stated that Heilpern would
get checks and drafts cashed and put
the money in his cash drawer. On cross
examination he was asked if the money
was not sometimes handed to Mr. Zeid-
Ter, but he denied that such was the
case. He admitted that Heilpern had
been away for short spell at different
times. and that he had the keys while
he was away. The books were never
touched at such times, being left to be
balanced up to date when the book
keeper should return.
At this point the reporters wanted a
couple of letters which were to be Of
fered in evidence, but Mr.. Hart OBJ
jected to their being given anything
that might not be offered in evidence,
Mr.. Davenport stated that he had re-
fused to give them to them until they
were read.
''These reporters are very insidious. l
know" said Mr.. Hart.
Mr.. Than offered the letter in testi-
mony written by the prisoner to j. r.
Wilman, dated at Winona, Oct. Is, 1890,
in which he stated that he had fallen
into bad ways. you KNOW" it said,
that | was never drunkard or gam
bier, but L fell to specializing in wheat,
and lost heavily" He stated that he
had gone to Winona to save funeral eX-
river at that point. ''In a few short
hours" it said, 81 will be corpse"
Another letter was offered in evidence,
written to Mrs. Wilman, in which he
begged her to consult with Frank Cry
gla, who was his friend. and who had
instructions as to the manner in which
his family were to be cared for.
The letters were both objected to, and
little argument was INDUCED in on the
occasion, the correspondence being fin
ally allowed in evidence. Mr.. Than
looked about the court room as he fin
ished reading them, as if he was about
to spring a sensation, and paused mo-
ment. while a hush fell upon the as
sembly.
IL now call Frank Grygla.'
A short, thick set, rather fine looking
man took the stand, perfect master of
himself, the great local chief of all the
Poles of the Northwest He stated that
he had known Heilpern for some years,
having met him first III New York city.
He had seen the prisoner last on the l4th
of October. He had a conversation with
him at his office. when he had called for
a private interview. Helpern had told
him that he wanted advice on matter
of life and death. lie had confessed to
him that he had robbed the till. fixed the
books, and was doomed man. Wher-
ever he went, he said he would be pur-
sued, and nothing was left him but death.
of his wife and family after he was
gone, see that his household goods were
sold, and send his family home to War
saw. Witness feared that the man was
crazy and made an appointment for the
next day at the mans house. Here he
was shown the marriage certificate of
the couple, and the settlement of IL, 900
roubleS which belonged to his wife, and
with part of which money their furni-
ture had been purchased.
poison, seating that should he be cap
tured that would end his life. Witness
had asked him how much he had taken,
and he had said about $1,000. Heilpern
stated that as long as he was at the Of
been given vacation, and while he was
not there they would certainly find out
his shortage. Witness had offered to
go to the firm and try and arrange mat
terS, but Heilpern had refused the of
fer. The next day witness had seen the
accounts in the local press of the defalca-
ton.
Cross-eXamination did not shake the
testimony of this important witness,
who simply stuck to facts and never eX-
ceeded his first testimony. After he
had left the stand hush fell over the
large gathering. and the people looked
at each other and cast expressive
chances toward the prisoner. Mr.. Than
stated that they had witness whom
they wished to introduce in regular
order. who was not present, and the
case was continued until $3.50 this morn
ing.