The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-07
THE REED CASE.
The Defence Was Opened Yesterday After
noon.

| The case of the United States, by in
dictment, against ohm B. Reed, was re-
sumed in the United States court yester-
day morning, when Judge Webb re-
newed his offer to allow the members of
the jury to go out at any time when they
felt that they were getting too cold.
Later on in the hearing the court de-
clined to give DISTRICT Attorney Dyer
short recess in order to give him time to
bring in witness, because all concerned
were risking health, if not life, staying
there at all, and the time of their con-
| finement must be made as brief as posi-
| BILE.
William f. Smith, cashier of the Amer
lean Express office in this city, was the
first witness called by the government.
Is acquainted with John B. Reed, was
| frequently in his office. Talking one
| day, Reed asked If he didn't want to do
little work after office hours, and to
| make some money outside of his bust
ness. Witness asked what was wanted,
/
/ have some one direct envelopes. Mr..
Smith being unable to undertake the
work, Reed suggested that Mrs. Smith
could do it. Mrs. Smith was willing to
/ try it. and Mr.. Reed showed the witness
letter from Mr.. Moore, offering 10 per
cent of the selling price of the tickets,
| for the work he wanted done.
Witness took the lists, tickets, ETC.,
from the table in Moore's Office. The
lists gave directions as to the tickets to be
sent in each instance. He saw Moore
once. He was at the American Express
Office with Mr.. Reed. He always found
| the packages of tickets on Mr.. Moore's
desk. at Mr.. Reeds Office. When Reed
was arrested last February OF March.
Mrs. Smith ceased to direct the enve-
lopes. The arrangement was made with
Reed, who acted, as he understood, for
Moore The commission for the work
was always placed in an envelope, and
was never handed him by Reed.
In reply to question by the court, the
witness said he knew that Reed was in
the lottery business, and supposed the
selling of tickets was tile largest part OF
his business.
Cross-examined-Saw the lists fire.
quently, and estimated commissions
from them. Had never seen Reed write
| except to sign his name. From
/ that specimen of his writing
I 41,1A 1,n ~ n mo-
make out the lists At one time was told
/ that Reed was out of town. Did not know
/ it of his own knowledge. Was told SO by
Mr.. Libby. While Reed was out Of town
the lists were in the same handwriting as
when he was at home, and the package
was on Moore's desk as before.
To the Court-Never saw Moore but
once. Never saw Moore in Reeds office
i when he went for the lists. Reed was
generally there. Express packages FREE
auently came for Moore. Did not deliver
1 them himself. Mr.. Reed, Mr.. Nutter or
Mr.. Libby have receipted for such pack
ages. Mrs. Smith never received letter
from Moore regarding the business.
Never had any talk with him about the
business. Reed told him how he was to
do what he wanted done. Told him
where to put the packages and where to
find them. Generally went to Reeds
Office in the evening"
Two men by the name of William IL.
Moore were called, and of each Mr. Smith
said in reply to question, rs this the
man who was introduced to you by Mr..
Reed?" mo, he is not the man.
Leroy S.. Sanborn, assistant postmaster,
testified that he was at Reeds office
twice. the first time alone, and the second
time in company with Inspector Hall.
Both calls were regarding the "decoy''
letters, or test letters, as Mr.. Hall calls
them. described in the direct testimony
} given by the inspector. When he
Visited Reed the first time he
seemed to be excited. He said
Moore was out of town, but promised to
have the special delivery letter, said to
have been delivered by mistake, returned
to the Office by o'clock. 1t was re-
turned endorsed "Opened by w. II.
Moore bv mistake While he was in
: Reeds Office some boys came in and
wanted lists and Reed said, Get out, l
haven't got a list"
Henry A. Osgood of North Yarmouth,
formerly in the office of the American
Express Company, was called. tie re-
ceived the package directed to Houlton,
) Me. Mr.. Sanborn was recalled and sald
that one of Halls test letters to Moore
was delivered W LeOuol SdlllCl CVAo-
van.
Inspector Hall was recalled and in
cross examination Mr.. Bird tried to get
i in a question regarding what converse
, ton the witness had with Nutter. Ex-
cluded. MI Hall described the sending
of the test letters.
Letter Carrier David A. Donovan, said
} he never delivered letters to William ID
Moore in person. Does not know Moore
Generally delivered letters there five
times day, commonly to Moore. Gen
erally had five OF six registered letters
daily for the office. Reed generally
signed for such letters, Moore never did
He read from his book long list of re-
ceipts signed by Reed. The court adj
J mitted as evidence the signatures of j.
B. Reed, signed by Reed by his own
, hand, and in the presence of the witness.
Of the letters forty-two were from Massa-
chusetts. In reply to a question the
witness said, s'all these letters were di.
rected to W. H. Moore, and were signed
for by J. B. Reed"
l James w. Craig, special delivery mes
: senger, testified that special delivery let
, ter No. Ala, January 10th, 1892. foi
:. w. FL. Moore, was receipted for by J. B.
I Reed His book was offered in evil