The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-06
INTERESTING INTERVIEW
Why He Left Denver on Saturday
Night Last.
AS TO GRAVES "CONFESSION."
Col. Ballou Does Not Believe that He
Ever Made One-A Full Account of the
Trial and Verdict - Col. Ballou Is
Wanted Again in Denver.

If ever man had friends who were anX-
ious to show their regard for him by their
personal congratulations that man is Col.
Daniel X. Ballou of Providence. Scarcely
had the news become public that he was
in town when the local interest in the
Graves trial changed from the unfortunate
doctor and his family TO Col Ballou.
While il may he true that many believe
DIR. Graves guilty, nevertheless the New
England sense of justice is strong and the
tide of feeling is now III favor OF DIR.
Graves.
But whatever may be the attacks upon
DIR. Graves, il is quite different matter
TO attack private character SO unJustly as
has been done in the ease of Col. Ballou
Providence pool will not stand idly by
and see the reputation of one of their re-
spected citizens DETAINED on such charges
as have been preferred.
The office of Ballou & Jackson was not
opened this morning before knot OF in
terested friends and acquainta had
gathered in the Railways of the Barton
Block TO | come the Colonel as soon as he
should appear. All the morning the office
was besieged by visitors. BY II o'clock
over hundred of the most prominent
lawyers and citizens had been in and left
kind words of welcome and the heartiest
offers of any assistance in their power.
The NEWS representative called on Col.
Ballou at his Office shortly after o'clock.
He met the colonel at the foot of the
stairs. He had just come from the City
Hall where he hal been sworn in as Al
derman for the Ninth ward.
His long strain of work had told on
him, aud his friends could see that il
would be many days before he would be
his old-time self again lie grasped the
NEWS man with hearty grip of the hand
and said 1t is very gratifying 10 get
home again ana to find that my friends
here have confidence in me. | have lived
too long in this community for people not
TO know me thoroughly, and to understand
my character.
A few minutes afterward in his Office he
sat down and made the statements which
follow:
"As TO the alleged confession of DR.
Graves said he, II am confident that he
made no such confession as has been at
tributed TO him and as has been reported
i'm the newspapers | am confirmed in
that belief by reports which / have re-
ceived since my departure from Denver
and news which met me on my way home.
AS TO my departure from Denver, there
was no attempt at concealment and no
disappearance. The facts are these: On
Thursday Judge Furman was interrupted
in his argument by juror, who said the
jury did not wish for any more stories. You
gentlemen have read the papers and know
the story. Judge Furman then said that
he would conclude his argument in two
hours. Mr.. Stevens, the prosecuting at
torney, said that he would make his final
summing up of the case in two hours.
That if carried out would have taken
four hours, or from IL o'clock until 3
o'clock of the next day, and at that time
the case would go TO the jury.
"On Friday, il being a holiday, ! osn-
suited Mr.. Wells and Macon as to my
leaving on Saturday evening They both
said that il would be entirely proper for
me to go. then secured limited tickets
for myself and wife as well as berths on
the sleepers.
"On Saturday morning Judge Furman
kept his agreement and concluded his
argument at | o'clock. Instead of then
making his final summing ND of the case
Mr. Stevens asked for recess. and il was
3 o'clock before he began. Instead of
concluding in two hours, as agreed,
il was nearly half-past six when he fin
shed.
81 remained in the court room as long
as / could. The time for my departure
was drawing near and when | left the
court room and went to the hotel there
was scarcely time To pack An express
man had been hired and in n short time
the trunks were taken down stairs and
sent TO the station.
IL then went with my wife into the
dining-room and we ate our dinner, after
which paid my bill, bade hasty adieu
To my friends, and left the hotel. With
my wife | walked to 18th street and there
took the street cars for the railroad sta
ton riding through the most frequented
streets of the city. We boarded the train
and at $40 rolled out of the station on our
way home. That is all have to say about
that matter.
"As TO the verdict. | was completely
surprised. My colleagues, Wells, Macon
and Furman, were also very much sur
prised, we expected an acquittal and at
most disagreement
As 20 the reported trip to Canada, those
who know the Colonel know tnat IL never
could have been contemplated for
moment.