The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-25
MAILS USED FOR FRAUD.
A J. DICKSON ON TaIAL IN THE
UNITED STATES COURT.

a Fierce County Man Plays a Shrewd
Game and Takes ia a Number OF
Southern and Western Firms-A
Cloud Of Witnesses Testlfying in the
Case.
The trial Of A. J. Dickson Of Pierce
county, charged With fraudulent use Of the
mails, occupied the attention of the United
States circuit court all OF yesterday, and
viii probably not be concluded until some
time tonight.
There was little time wasted in securing a
jury, which is as follows:
W. y. Right, 8. c. Dasher,
A. J. Brown, J. B. DAsher,
Andrew J. Jones, Guilford Stalney,
John s. Lovejoy, B. N. Williamson,
Charles l. Cler, J. L. ZeigIer,
Martin Houlihan, W. s. Burns.
Thirty-fve witnesses were ssworn, fifteen
Tor the United States and twenty for the
defense.
BASIS OF THE PROSECUTION.
The basis OF the prosecution is about as
follows: Dickson ordered a small bill of
goods from Jacques & Tlnsley Of Macon in
the name Of A. j. Dickson g. Co. The
Macon firm sent Dickson printed form to
be filed out. giving name ana age of the
members OF his firm, and the amount which
each was worth. He filed it out with the
names OF Stafford g. Co., stat
ing that the firm had bought
out A j. Dickson g. Co., and was engaged
In a general mercantile business. He added
That Stafford q Co. was composed of N. L.
stafford and B. r. Phillips. each worth be-
tween IS. 900 and 5000 Jacques &c Tinsley
nlied the order, the bill was promptly paid,
and S2O7 more Of goods were ordered.
WENT IN HEAVY.
The next thing claimed TO have been
ordered by Dickson was saw-mill from the
Chattanooga Saw-Mill Works in the name
also OF Stafford & Co. A half barrel of
whisky was alsD ordered from jacques q
Ifnsley, which be said was to be used for
the negroes in an election.
n. L. Stafford was put up by the govern
ment, and he testified that no such firm as
Stafford q Co. ever existed, nor was he ever
engaged in mercantile business He said
that last October or November Dickson
made an offer to him to go into the saw. mill
business to cut cord wood for McDonough &
Co. Dickson agreed to furnish the machinery
II he would run the mill. Stafford agreed
TO this, and Dickson got the machinery and
they went to work together, dividing the
profits
AN ALL AROUND DENIAL.
No firm name was used, and there was
nothing more than mutual understanding
between them.
When District Attorney Erwin asked
Stafford about the Jacques g. Tinsley
blank, alleging that he was worth
about $500, the witness sesmed sur
worth more than s35 or $40, and knew
nothing whatever about the blank The
what was his financial stand,
ing, and he answered: "Never
had any" In a way which caused
the spectators to smile. He further stated
that Phillips was only a fireman at the
cord-wood mill and was paid 81 a day for
aus labor. Mershon is the name of the place
where Dickson lived and the mill was
| located.
several other witnesses were examined
| for the government, and their testimony
was rather damaging 10 the defendant.
| Unless Dickson's witnesses make a good
showing conviction will not be a surprise.
DICKSON MAKING A FIGHT.
Dickson is being defended by ex- Congress
man John @. Nichols OF Blackshear and ex-
Senator F. g. duBignen. During the trial
ne sat immediately behind his counsel.
| thanked on either side by friends, and a con-
slant smile played around his mouth. He
is not bad looking man by any means,
| and by his appearance ne doesn't seem to
worry much about the serious charge under
which he is being prosecuted.
| Postoffice INSPECTOR Bulla, who worked
up the case against Dickson, sat alongside
OF District Attorney Erwin. He has worked
hard on the case for months and feels con-
hdent that he has sufficient evidence to con-
| vict Dickson.
| There was quite an attendance of coun-
| trynen at the trial, most of whom are
witnesses, and they took great interest in
all the proceedings. At $50 o'clock an adj
| journment was had until $50 O'Clock
this morning. and the case will be
| pushed to close. A night session
will probably have to be held, as there are
over twenty witnesses to be examined, and
the arguments will consume a few hours
j. W. Harren and J. w. Fleming, Jr.,
are geographically reporting the evidence
| for the government.
THE RIVER AND HARBOR.