The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-14


when | was first before this committee,
nor would do II now. had IL not been
for so much conflicting testimony. All
that have said Is as / recollect and I
believe It 20 be true. so much so. that
( would be willing 10 make oath 10 t..
/ have no regrets at what ! have done.
and under similar circumstances would
do so again. IL Is evident. from my first
testimony. the reason that ] did not go
into details was because Of my kind
feelings towards Mr.. Epps, and for the
same reason / thought II best that he
should pay the note Of $780, so that in
his testimony he could say that the
note had been paid.
As 10 some OF the petty personal at
tacks and insinua Pms. which should have
been made elsewhere. ! do not propose.
~ this time and place. 10 pay any at
tCntiOn to them. rs they should never
have been introduced and are OF no in
tcrcst 10 this Investigation or committee.
I have detailed 10 the committee all that
I can recollect OF Importance on this
subject I am now willing 10 answer
every question that may directly apply
10 tho loan Of 500, or as to Mr.. Epps
having expressed any opinion as TO which
was the best work. I do not propose
to answer anything that l consider per
sonal, or that does not directly pertain
to these questions.
A Friend.
When questioned by Mr.. Meredith, wit
ness stated that he requested q friend TO
write the note signed "a friend" which
was sent 10 Mr.. Epps last Thursday. SO
that the latter, when called 20 the stand.
could say that the note had been paid.
lie did not desire 20 write the note him
self lie was talking 20 his friend at the
n. he l.rHr I'D ffn.
note and remarked that the note ought
10 be paid. and subsequently asked his
friend TO write the note He did not think
that Mr. Epps would have withheld any
thing from the committee afterwards.
when he said the note had been paid.
lie supposed that Mr. Epps felt worried
after he had borrowed money from the
witness The loan. however, was accept
ed after mature thought. As far as he
knew, all who went North understood
that witness represented the Fenton
Company. lie attended the various sup
pers, but did not take any active part
In issuing invitations lie was present
when Mr. BOoz invited Mr.. Epps at his
shop 10 take supper with him at Muir
phys Hotel This came about In the fol-
lowing manner: II was reported that Mr..
Waddey or some one had taken GUS
toners 10 tho county court house TO show
them the metallic cases in the clerks
Office. which were represented as those
Of the company which Mr. Waddey rep
resented Witness went down there with
Mr.. Booz and met Mr. Smith. who was
trying case. Mr.. Stokes was also there
and when they all returned up town they
stopped al Talbotts foundry at the re-
quest Of Mr.. Booz, who wished 10 in
vlte Mr. EpDs.
Whom ouaefforod l. NNodIor.
ness stated that all the book cases in
the county clerks Office bore the name
Of the makers, the Fenton Metallic Com
pany.
Mr. Guigon was about 10 ask a ques-
ton, wheE Mr. Belvin said that he would
not answer any question that was con-
nected with Mr.. Werncr's statement 20
the committee Mr.. Guigon explained
that Mr. Werner had stated witness had
told him that Mr. Epps was not 10 return
the borrowed money If Mr.. Booz should
get the contract. Mr. Belvln subsequently
denied that statement absolutely while
Mr. Epps fully confirmed the same in his
testimony.
Mr. Belvin then remarked that ne did
not desire 10 go into the matter. and that
he had no recollection Of it,. He admitted.
however, that he might have made such
statement 10 Mr. Epps and he would
neither deny or affirm the assertion.
To Mr.. GuigOn witness stated that he
had sent the note 10 Mr. Epps on Thurs
day prior TO his conversation with Mr.
Gulgon over the telephone He asked
him 10 pay the note that day. because
he had right 10 do so. He admitted
that. upon Mr. Meredith's suggestion
he had agreed 10 withdraw Mr.. Epps'
note from the bank 90 show IL 20 the
committee. If necessary. but subsequently
advised Mr.. Epps TO pay the note. because
he rather wished TO have Mr. Epps come
before the committee and state that the
note had been paid
To Mr.. White witness stated he did
not remember the night when he told
Mr. Epps that the borrowed money be-
ionged 20 Mr.. Booz. After a while. how
ever he refreshed his memory and con-
tinucd as follows:
81 was standing near the oyster coun-
ter in the bar-room of Murphy's Hotel
when Mr.. Epps came In with several
others. ] forget how IL happened, but /
told him that ] loaned him Mr. Boo2's
money. Mr.. Epps came up 20 me and said
Mr.. Booz had asked him for 500 which he
owed him. but he Epps understood
that he got il from witness That is an |
! recollect now and ] DO not remember
that Mr.. Epps said I should have told
him before that It was Mr.. Booz's !
money"
Question by Mr. Guigon: What time did |
you pay back the money 20 Mr. Booz?
Answer: IL is my business. when I re- |
turned the money to Mr.. BOoz. / refuse |
% answer any question connected with /
the Fenton Metallic Works until Mr. Booz /
comes here. In his presence / am willing I
to answer any question
When Mr. Belvin withdrew Mr. Epps |
said that he would stand by his former |
statement. which he was willing TO re-
terate
IL being suggested that Mr. Starke be /
summoned 10 prove hts signature 10 the
letter above referred 20. the committee
took a recess Of ten minutes OF $50 |
o o'clock. Mr.. Starke could not be found.
however, and Mr. Mann stated that it
had been suggested that each member Of
the Grounds and Buildings Committee
make an explanatory statement in refer
ance 20 their action in voting as they did
)n the letting Of the contracts.
Mr.. Guigon disagreed with Mr.. Mann,
stating that several OF the Grounds and
Buildings Committee had already made
statements explaining their votes. and
hat while the committee would be glad
% hear from any one OF the Grounds and
Buildings Committee who felt disposed TO
make a voluntary statement. he thought
Z would be assuming an arrogant posi-
ion on the part Of the committee TO sub
Get the members Of the Grounds ard
Buildings Committee TO such 2 position.
Mr. Noble stated that since the rumors
n reference 10 certain members Of tie