The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-11-29
CNMISTAKABLE EVIDENCE.
CHAPTER XIV.

concert, parIlclpaled IN Dy everybody
except the dignifed court, the witness,
Grounding, and his attorneys. provoked
the Judge to order the room cleared,
but he at once relented and revoked
the order, much to the qualification of
the spectators.
Judge: Proceed Mr.. Iewinsohn,
with the cross examination.
O. You can now complete your an
swer, When the audience so bolster
ously interrupted you, you were saying
"but-"
A. commenced to say that / have
since that time learned to write my
name.
The audience began to think they
had halloed before they were out of
tho woods.
Q. How long after you were charged
with forging the name of MIR. Living
stone did you learn to write:
A. About six months.
Q. Did you learn to write any more
than your own name:
A. That was all.
q. How long after your acquittal of
the forgery before you went to living
where you now do?
A. About two months.
Q. And you say you had resided there
sign your name to Major Nordum's
will?
A. don't know.
Q. Don't know what:
A. don't know.
Groundwig's attorney: The witness
Is under the protection OF the court,
and ask your honor to protect him
from the insulting questions of the gen
tleman who has the honor Of Ma Or
NOrdrum in charge.
MIR. Lewinsohn: Your attempt, sir,
at sarcasm will fall still-born in this
courthouse.
Judge: Proceed with the cross-ex-
animation.
q. Under what name were you in
dicted for forgery:
A. William Wallace.
q. You say you learned to write only
your namc-was the name you learned
to write James Martin or William Wal
lace?
A. I don't remember.
q. What, after reaching the age of
forty years you learned to write your
name and don't know what name you
learned to write?
A. Well, sir, learned to write both
names.
y
20 suddenly change your name:
A. don't know.
Q. Did you read this letter? (ShOw.
Ing the witness Il half sheet OF fools
cap covered with writing.)
A. don't remember.
Q. Now Mr.. James Martin or Mr..
William Wallace, or whatever your
name may he. is it not fact that you
can read and write, and that you com
mittcd perjury when you swOrc in the
forgery case that you could not write
your name?
A. Yes, did learn to read and write
when q boy, but have roughed it Sc
much and got out of the practice O
writing that at the time Livingston
name was forged / could not write.
=. l propose now to compare youl
handwriting with the signature on tina
alleged will. Take this pen and writ.
your name on that piece of paper.
The witness was now so ayitated that
the lockers on pitied him, and the.
But Mr.. LewinsOhn did not propose t,
lose any vantage gained. When tn,
witness trembled so he could no
write. and became SO agitated he cOul,
not speak. Mr.. Lewinsohn. in a pleas
ing. rcassuring manner, asked him VIII.
the request to sign his name SO TN
nerved him.
The witness sat stiff as stick, pal,
as the newly white washed ceilin!
over his head. and not syllable passe
his lips.
MIR. Lewinsohn rose to his feet
stepped to within Il few inches of tn
witness-stand. and in louder voic
than the attorney had any time en
ployed. and looking he witness strais h
in the eye. said to him:
Sir. does not your agitation com
from the knowledge you have bee
swearing to a pack of lies. the fe;,
that the strong arm of the law will b
laid upon you. and east you in prison
Sir. tell the court and jury. before Go
strikes YOU dead. how much Grount
wig paid you for this perjury"
Never was witness more ready
answer 4 question than was this on
now Hardly had Mr.. Lewinsohn tim
to finish the sente nee when the answt
cHme:
He agreed to pay me-
''StOp. hold there, not another wor,
witness. You need not answer tn;
opposing counsel. The court shoul
not permit a witness to criminate hin
self without explaining to him h
legal rights. l ask your Honor to il
struct the witness that he need not a.
swer the question.
The court SO instructed him.
81 withdraw the question" said NJ
Iewinsohn. But enough Of the tr,i
had been told to destroy the credibi
ity of the witness. 1t was evident
every one who had heard the testimo,
that the man was a tool 81 Grounding
and for pay had committed periur
and that Groundwig had made II