St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-18
ALMOST FINISHED.
To-Day Will Probably Decide
erich and His Case.

If anything, there was a still larger
crowd of interested spectators at the
court house yesterday morning, to hear
the now famous Crich libel suit against
the Tribune. As on the day previous,
the oil paintings, the work of Officer
erich, were placed against the clerks
desk, where they were duly admired
and criticised by attorneys, jurors. wit
nesses and spectators. Interest in the
case has not abated one jot. and, If any
thing, is more absorbing than it was the
first day. The work of rebutting the
damaging evidence introduced by the
defense goes merrilly on; but, so far,
but little, if any, headway has been
made towards breaking down the testi-
mony of the defendants.
AS soon as court convened erich was
called to the stand. In answer to ques-
tions he said he did not know when he
first met Blake, but the first cOnversa-
ton with him was Oct. 80, 1889, when
he got his insurance. The value of his
house, witness stated, was about 81 COO.
The answer to the case of Crich against
the Williamsburg Fire Insurance COIN
pany was then read to the jury, the
court overruling the objection of Judge
Rea
Under croSs-examination erich told
of going to st. Paul to meet his cousin
Enoch and wife. He stopped at hotel,
but his cousin did not arrive. The
works of art on exhibition in the
musty old court room were all identi-
fled by Crlch as his, with the exception
of one.
"Doyou remember Mr. Brame coming
to you once with an order from George
Blake for $50" said Judge Rea. pointing
to Attorney Brame in the back part of
the court rOom."
"Yes, | believe do.'
'Well, didn't you tell him that you
never had heard of Blake before"
mo, don't believe | did,
III the afternoon eX-Chief of Police
Bracket, Aid. E. G. Potter and S. E.
Adams were put on the stand to prove
that Blake bore bad character. Enoch
erich, the plaintiffs son, told what he
knew about the fire, which was consid-
cradle. He said he saw Blake in the
back yard couple of nights before the
fire, land when he opened the door Blake
acted very much surprised and asked if
father was to hum" The boy evi-
IDENTIFY desired 10 tell more than was
asked. Master Crich said his brother
lived near Sr. Paul, and he wauted 10
90 so bad that his father indulgently al
lowed him to join the party. The boy
got considerably confused as to whom
he was going to st. Paul to see. The
silk dresses were kept in a trunk, he
said, the watch on the wall. and the
pictures all over the house. The boys
uemUry was sore!y taxed in telling
where each thing had its place. Joseph
Allerton, or Blind Joe," as he is COM
monty called, Jewish peddler, told of
ol nj nj oh,
about the time of the fire. His evidence
tended to corroborate that of Blake's as
far as the purchasing Of old clothes.
Police Officer Harry Griffin was next
called to the stand.
"Griffin. what is there in the teSti-
mony of Blake when he said you were
to burn Crich's house and Crich to burn
yours, and Blake was hired by both of
you and was to get 500? Is there any
truth in it?" Barker asked.
'No, sir; there is not. l first became
acquainted with Blake about the time
he went on the police force"
''How many times have you arrested
this man Blake?"
/ object to that" exclaimed Judge Rea.
sit is irrelevant"
"Objection sustained" announced the
court.
"Did you ever arrest Blake?" Barker
asked.
"Yes, at Keegan's lake for the larceny
| of buggy. Crich and / arrested him. -
Ibid you bave any difficulty?"
"Object," exclaimed Rea.
"Objection sustained" again said the
court.
did you pay Blake any money to
burn Crich's house?" Barker went on.
mo, sir"
Ibid you ever pay any one anything
for such purpOse?"
Il don't think so," in hesitating
manner.
The witness was then taken IN hand
by Judge Rea.
Ibid you see Blake pay $3.50 gold
piece for the drinks with another one?''
mo. sir; did not. was on duty in
the afternoon. DR.. Ray might have seen
! me in there IN the evening""
Ibid you not 20 10 Leo Probst's store
| Oh Christmas evening and offer him Sl5O