The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-11-22

had a copy that was perfect.
.. Where do you live now?
\. In Pittsburgh.
T.. How long have YOU lived thereT
y. Some three years.
.. Who pays your expenses here:
\. MIR. Grounding.
.. N'ho asked YOU to come here as
witness:
y. Mr.. GroundwiG.
9. How did he ascertain that you
wrote that document:
y DO not know.
9. Ever have any other dealings
with Mr.. Grounding:
\. No. sir.
Q. How long have you known him:
\. Four or five years.
&. Seen him frequently:
y. Five or six times.
9. The first time You saw him. | sup
pose. was when he asked You to copy
this will:
A. Yes. sir.
Hold there. stop" fairly yelled one
of the opposing counsel. Il object to
that question as leading. and | object
to the answer. The witness doe, not
understand it. They have led him or
in this smooth way until his answers
have been made mechanical. and he
has answered unconscious of what he
has been saying. 1t is (; trick of the
counsel. | ask the court to strike out
the answer Such practice is infamous.
Eut the mischief had been done.
The witness ha, admitted that Siias
Groundw z was the man who had rep
resented himself as Andrew NOrdrrm.
I'VE are through with the Witness
remarked Mr.. Lcwil>ohn.
GiOlndWlg> counsel were in an
awkward dilemma. To ask the wit
ness to explain his answer was danger
Gus. TO dismiss him without further
worthy OF belief. The counsil did the
only safe thing he could. ana that was
To excuse the witness for he present!
trusting that Il part of he blow might
be wardcd off by tn" ruling Of the
court that the question was improper.
James Martin will please step forward
and bc SWORN" was the startling AT
nounccmcnt by Groundwiys attor-
ncy. The Judge. jurors and audience
could not conceal their surprise and
:stOnis hmeut. The council for Miss
NorIrum appeared agitated and
troubled. but We're soon put to their
ease by Il brief conference with Il
stranger. who. from time to time. had
consulted with them. Some said he
wa Il celebrated detective. VINO had
been employed to unveil the cOnsIi
racy. if Surn there We're.
The par~on answering tothe name of
James Martin came forward and took
his place on the witness stand. MI
eye, were upon him. He stood the
strain without moving 4 muscle. He
looked like Il bundle of nerves. turned.
twisted. and shaped into the form Of man.
q. What is your name?
\. James Martin.
&. Is that yOur signature? showing
the witness the alleged will.
a. 1t is.
=. Under what circumstances did
Eou sign that paper:
y. One day | was going past Ma iOr
NOrdrum's residence " hen Mr.. Ground
wig called me in. and the Ma jor. who
was sick in bed. asked me to sign my
name as a witness to his signature. tell
ing me the paper he showed me was
his will
\. Any other person there beside
Major Nordrum. MIR. Grounding. and
yourself:
A. Yes. sir An elderly lady. wholu
Ma or Nordr,m addressed as Mrs. Pa.-
tcrson. who. also. ut the request Of the
Ma or. signed her name directly under
mine. ana Two gentlemen. whose names
| Go not know.
=. Did YOU ever know a person A..
that ncighborhood by the name of
William Bush:
\. never did.
9. Did You ever board with person
named William Bush:
A. No. sir
=. Did You ever work for a person
by the name of William Bush:
\. No. sir.
e. Are YOU alive:
i. | think am.
q. Where do You live now:
\. On a farm about twenty mile.
from SANDY Lake.
9. Had you frequently passed Major
Nordrum house:
\. Very seldom.
.. Mr.. Groundwig ask ed YOU to come
in. did he:
\. Yes. sir.
=. Had you met him before:
y. had not.
=. You We're q stranger. passing by.
Grounding saw yoa. called you in.
asked YOU II sign your name. and Wit h
out any hesitation You did so:
i. Yes, sir.
y. The gentlemen you met there did
no. sign their names
y. Not VI lille | was there
.. We're they asked to sign:
y. Not that | know of.
-. We're you ever "a Nordrum' 3
house after that:
\. No. sir.
=. DO You own a farm:
\ No -,