Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-02-04
DELVING DEEPER
INTO TEE MYSTERIES OF TIE ALLEGgD SILVER
POOL.
Owsnby Makes Very Rxaspsrating Witn'ss-es
Knows a Good Deal, Bat Will Not Tell 1t
Without Mentioning Names Which
They Refuse to Permit
Him to Do.

James A. Owenhy, who was on the stanC
Yesterday, resumed his testimony
before the silver pool investigating com
mittee this morning. He began by eX
plaining certain matters which were
rather confused yesterday. Speaking
of the papers and books, part of whict
he said yesterday were locked up st
that he (Owenby) could not get them
he stated that they were ordinary mem
orandum books or diaries, which he
carried like any other business man and
put away when they were filled up
Some of these memorandum books, he
explained, were in his trunk and other,
had been given TO Wecher, with whom
he was interested in business. The teS-
timOny then reclrred TO the converse
tionS with Donald, the Hanover bank
cashier. Donald, Owenby said, had told
him that certain Senators and
Representatives were interested in sill
yer transactions lie offered to give
the names. but Messrs. Payne and Row
ell made decided objections and insisted
on what was said at these conversations
being given, but with names omitted.
Mr.. Oates thought names should bo
given, and Owenby said he could not
properly give the conversation without
names. About seven Congressman. he
thought, were mentioned. Donald
stated that the Congressman were in
terested in the subject through GER
tain parties or institutions.
The Fourth National and the
Chase National banks were doing the
dealings for these Congressman Donald
said. Donald had also stated that Ilm-
norman and Forshay, August Belmont,
and Carson and SimOndS were interest
ed. The orders for silver were given
them, and 1t was bought in London 10
cover up the tracks. Yes, Donald nsed
that expression. He said that politl-
clans were pretty hard men TO clean up
after.
There was no one present at these
conversations. TO the best OF witness
recollection silver was bought al o. and
up TO lO4. At one time Donald spoke
of the sale of silver, bat did not state
how much was sold. Owenby was then
examined as to his contract arrange
ment with Donald. They were verbal,
he said, and he was the victim of verbal
contracts Witness was to give all the
information he could possibly get His
personal expenses were to be paid, and
he was to share and share alike with
those who went into the purchase OF
silver.
Donald was TO carry the silver for him
and agreed TO carry $4,000 OUNCES. For
his personal expenses in Washington he
drew on Donald. Owenby said he had
borrowed some $500 from Donald, Civ
ing note.
The examination reverted to the con-
yersations with Donald, and witness
said Donald told him that he (Donald)
had information of six million ounces
of silver being purchased by hve
banks and brokerage houses he had
named. lie believed Donald named
some of the persons for whom the pur-
chaseS were made, and witness mention
ed the name OF Representative ketcham,
of New York, 5 one Of them. He III
sisted on this statement when question
ed, and again wanted TO give names so
as to make his story clear, but Mr.
Pavne replied that it would be little
short of an outrage to permit the names
of any respectable men 10 be given un-
less witness had other than hearSay teS-
timony.
Donald, Owenby said, told him the
parties to the silver pool had got In Il
wrangle, that he (Donald) had got out
OF il, and therefore could not make any
thing out of it for witness. Donald
took that method of repudiating the ar
rangement with witness. The silver
purchasers sold out at III, and witness
figured that he ought TO get 10 cents
an ounce on 2i5, 900 ounces, or between
a36. 900 and $40, 900. He denied he had
any contract with Donald asserted by
Donald, that he was TO receive only
$3.50: and said he had already received
more than that amount.
Owenby said he had also received IN
formation from David II. Littler,
"Billy" Hall, assistant cashier OF the
Hanover Bank, and j. l.. Cunningham,
OF Parsons, being interested in silver
speculation. Owenby, as in another
case. could not remember dates, but
said that silver was at lO9
when he talked with Littler. Wit
ness mentioned the names Of persons
interested and Littler aSsented, and also
mentioned the names OF Congressman.
Owenby said he had no direct personal
knowledge Of any Congressional silver
speculation.
A deputy sergeant-at-arms left here
tonight for Florida, where Cashier
Donald. of the Hanover Bank, OF New
York. is at present, with instruct ions
to bring him to Washington immediate