Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-14
ERAsTUs wiMAN's TRIAL.
His Letter Of Confession Read in Couri
Despite Objections.

New YORK, June l3-The trial of Eras-
tus Wiman charged with forgery in the
second degree was resumed this morning.
The people are expected to close their case
today. While the line of defense had not
been clearly outlined the general impression
prevails that the trial will result in an &C.
quittal. As far as can be learned in ad.
vance, Gen. Tracy will contend that Mr..
Wiman was a partner in the firm of R. G.
Dun & Co., and as such be had right to
draw on the firm. 1t will be asserted that
the use of the name of E. W. Bullinger as
a drawee was nothing more than the use of
fictitious drawee, q practice sanctioned by
the latest decision of the supreme court and
undisturbed by the court of appeals.
The first witness called this morning VI as
James M. Fitzgerald, dealer in paper.
He said that he had. sold Il. G. Dun & Co.
the paper they used for their books. Mr..
Wellman showed the witness check for
$1,000 drawn to his order by r. G. Dun &
Co., and dated Oct. 81, 1891. "Did You
ever receive the money for this che ok!
was as asked, ....-
"No sill" was the reply.
| The witness said he had never deposited
the check in any bank and that the sigma
ture, T.. Wimsn, was in the defendants
writing. The witness was not allowed 10
tell whether the signature of his name on
the back of the check was genuine or not.
The next witness was Ogden Brewer
treasurer of the Campbell Printing Press
| Manufacturing Co. and he was put through
the same line of examination as the pre-
yious witness.
Witness showed him check dated
Jan. 20, 1898, drawn to order of Mr..
Brewer as treasurer, by r. G. Dun & Co.,
| for $500.
The witness said he had never received
| the money for the check. Another check
for $1,000 was put through the came pro-
cess. Gen. Tracy's cross-examination
brought out the fact that the witness had
received Wiman' individual note to cover
the Indebtedness caused by the checks.
Mr.. Wellman caused sensation by offer
ing as evidence letter written by Wiman
to Dun & Co., which contained the So
called confession to which Wellman had
alluded in his opening address.
| Gen. Tracy objected to the admission of
this letter on the ground that the letter was
written by Mr.. Wiman on the advice of
counsel and with the distinct understanding
that it would not be used in either q civil
or criminal action.
Justice Andrews decided the document
was admissible. Wellman then read il
aloud. 1t was as follows:
Feb. 20, 1898.
My Dear Mr.. Dun:
| have had occasion more than once to
write to you in terms of great humiliation,
but never before under such circumstances
as now, in which l have a confession to
make to you.
1t is that, Improperly and fraudulently,
have signed the name of E. w. Bullinger
on the back of two checks of your frG,
made to his order.
| l will not urge that this was done with
out any evil intent or that he would have
signed them himself had | asked him, OF
that had any intention of defrauding you
or him.
Simply and frankly l must say that
committed this act without authority, and
most imprudently, and can ask no excuse
or palliation except such as in your abun-
dant charity and goodness of heart you may
in mercy extend to me.
For the sake of my dear wife and chill
dren, and fsr the sake Of the long service
rendered to you, pray God your heart
may still be softened toward me, and that
may not be made to suffer the penalty Of
my offence.
Respectfully,
ERAsTUs WIMAN.
Mr.. Wellman then rested the case fol-
| tho noonle