Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-03
THE GREAT OIL SUIT.
Prof White, the Geologist, Pumped
for Four Days on the Stand.
ANUTHER RACY LETTER is READ.
It Speaks Of Fine Work, but the Professor
Denies Authorship.
NEwsY NOTES FROM NEARBY TOWNS

| ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.l
MORGANTOwN, Dec. 2.-The sensational
oil suit of William S. Stevenson, of Pitts
burg, against Ira Dewitt, also of that city,
and Professors /. c. White, T. NJ. Jackson,
Colonel G. L. Smith and the South Penn
Oil Company, promises still more startling
| developments than those of Monongahela
| county, The suit is really between Steven.
son and Dewitt, brought by the former to
settle their partnership accounts in leasing
lands, boring wells, ETC.
Stevenson alleges that he has paid De-
Witt on account of his share of their ex-
penses, ETC., $780, and that there is still a
small balance due Dewitt which he is
ready and willing to pay whenever the cor
rect amount can be paid. On the other
hand, Dewitt says that Stevenson was in
his employ as agent at a salary of $100 a
month, but admits that there was an under
standing between them.
Conditions of the Agents Contract.
If Stevenson would pay promptly one
half the expenses in leasing and operating
properties which remained after the sale to
the South Penn Oil Company, and in car
rying out the contracts with Prot. White,
jackson and the South Penn, he (Steven-
on) should become equal partner in De-
Wits interests; also that Stevenson
claimed he could comply with these condi-
tions, but up to March 13. 1890, Stevenson
had only made small payments, amounting
In all to IS, 1000, and up to June, 1890,
Stevenson had only paid 81, $50 in addition,
making in all S9,650, and that Stevenson
never offered to pay any more on their con-
tract. Therefore, the plaintiff was to have
no interest in the leases, but was to receive
back what he had paid
Dewitt also alleges that some time in
April, 1890, he lost faith in Stevenson as
his agent. Instead of giving his time to De-
Witt, Stevenson was secretly and fraudu-
lently conspiring with defendant White
Estate Geologist and professor in the State
University to defraud Dewitt out of his
possessions in West Virginia. Dewitt
also claims that his outlays and expenses in
the business exceed his receipts for oil pro-
duced up to November, 1891, by the sum of
S135, 7S6 05.
Prof. White Still on the Stand.
Prof White has been on the stand for
four dave at intervals. In the cross exam
lnation he was asked about the following
letter, dated "Monongahela House, Pitts
burg, September 4, $780,
DEAR SrEvENsoN-I got there ELI" with s.
P. on Paw Paw stuff. c. is not so hard to get
over. This makes up loss on Philadelphia
deal. j. and S. are here, but you know
have to do all the fine work; they are not up
to 1t. Dewitt around several times. He
don't seem to be on the anxious seat. Are
you sure he isn't "onto" something? You
can't be too careful in this matter. We leave
tonight. Yours very truly, Lew.
Prof White-I was at the Monongahela
House about this time, as I learn BY re-
ferring to the date of deed made by
Dewitt to Jackson and myself at that time,
but have no recollection of writing or
sending such communication as that Just
read
The witness denied that territory sold in
the Paw Paw district in Marion county was
in the interest of the defendant.