The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-29
DID NOT TOUCH LAIDLAW.
RUSSELL sAsEs FLAT DENIAL OF
THE INJURED CLBRk's sToRY.

der Exar-in stton NJ Lawyer Chostes Tells
what TIE Csu Remember OF tn. Railroad.
n. ia. usd To DO with, s-a Explains
the Be-enosrt wo-hi.s 81 the System OF
Put. ..d C.ii--hotio- 10 Disr.,.. Denied.
Russell Sage made his FIRST appearance
Yesterday as q witness in tho trial Of the
.otion for $4,000 damages brought against
Aim BY william r. Jaidlaw. the case
having been dismissed In the former trial
b.fore Mr.. Sage was placed on the stand In
M. own defence. His direct exsmin alton,
which was conducted by Mr.. Taggert. junior
counsel for the defence. was begun at2 o'clock
and lasted only a little over q quarter Of an
hour Then Mr.. Choats cross-examined Mr.
Sage for two hours. when the days adjourn
msnt was taken. but at that time Mr.. Choate
had apparently made only q fair start In his
work.
The most important point In the testimony
Mr.. sage gave was his positive abatement that
At no time after he met the bomb thrower and
until the dynamite explosion did he put his
hand upon the plaintiff Laidlaw. Mr.. Sage
VA. VERY cool witness while he was In the
hands OF his own counsel. and he also man.
aged TO maintain a considerable degree OF
composure during the hard two hours he
PASSED under Mr. Choate's cross-examin alton,
although at times he displayed sumo annoy
auce and a little nervousness His story OF
the dynamiter's visit to his Office differed in
no respect from that already told. The d.
vsrrence began when Mr.. sage got to tho
poipt IN his narrative where he related his
moysm ents as he retreated toward the table In
his Office and the man with the bomb retreated
toward the entrance door. He said that from
the time he lifted his eyes from tho type-
written demand for 81. 200. 600 he did not for
II -
visitor. nor did he turn and put his hand upon
Laidaw and draw the brokers' clerk toward
him His counsel made his denial very ex-
pl!eit.
o-At any time prior to the explosion had you taken
hold Of Lsidaw' A-No cir.
Cor shaken hands with him A-Ne sir.
CA, any time prior to the explosion was Laidiaw
between you and Norcrosst A-No. sir
Q-Had you at any time any intent to shield your
sslf with Laidlaw's body A.-Not the slightest.
Odd you at any time to shield yourselft A.-No.
or. did not
A diagram Of his Offices was handed tn Mr..
Sage On this Laidlaw had previously marked
the relative positions occupied By himself and
Mr.. Sage. and the defendant was told By Mr..
Taggert to mark their positions at the time Of
the explosion. as he rem en- bered them. While
the witness was doing this. all the counsel and
Jury. Judge Patterson. and the court officer
cransd their necks to see how his marks would
differ from those made By the plaintiff. The
essential difference was In the position which.
according to Mr.. BaRes marks. LaidIaw oeou-
pied at tho time Of the explosion. Mr.. Sage
put LAidlaw By the side OF the table partly
facing Rector street. and placed himself. in
agreement with Laidlaw's testimony. at the
corner Of the same table. with his back turned
fhrss,ouarters to Laidlaw. This testimony
rrssf aeA Essnk. ~ spsst lour, IN tho erose-sx-
animation -
Continuing his direct testimony. Mr. Sage
said that he had received injuries By the ex-
plosion which resulted In many wounds on the
front OF his body and on his hands The
doctor told me that there were forty-seven."
began the Witness when Mr.. Choats made one
81 his very rare Interruptions Never mind
what the doctor told you. Let's hear what
you know about 1t yourself" said Mr.. Choate.
The witness began again. I was injured
or both sides in front. rather more on the right
Side. The electrician told me"
Er ChoAte again interrupted: Please never
mind the electrician. You were hurt worse
Oh the right aide. That's what We want to
know"
4 ,atchel was produced. from which = tat
we've entified BY the witness as those which
be wore At the time OF the explosion.
ran The Jury to note shs Si
evidently Mr.. Sage did mind for hs shook
Isked II he must DO So The Judge did not |
,sply, and an awkward silence was broken by |
10 Obieetion;, The witness may strip here II
But he wi.ns.. WAS no. required to make
lad had Wounds on his hs.s ia ioeation. S esr
,aas said that he should preisr the doctor to
answer that question, but Mr.. Taggert refused
hut Ss hni and a me-
places corresponding with the rents In his
'oat waistcoat, and trousers
-aldlaw's story In relating. the occurrences
Glowing Immediately after he regainsd con-
i then found" he said. that was lying
N my back and Laidlaw was lying on his face
.SIn 7; m my ankles Ispoks to him and asked
ne 4 could get up i said that / aid not
Oop.d H Gow S0s and h f1' Tshi W.
Q GO out Of the office by the door he had en-
Gut t ply. a% once &c conc 9 Ss. -s
ound NJ. ysmes who had been waiting for
le standing by window aud about 70 jump
. and took hin and Laidlsw out Of the eS3 door
mI private once down . private pair Of
ds% tsssd iI nat :i be- % :Gs siu
hl' iest and also assisted him aeross to the
. w store. Dit. bAgO toHtlnOd that his hearing
al been Affected By the explosion. and that
believed the drums OF his ears were rup-
Speaking Of the bomb thrOwsr. Mr. Sage
He was the last nan should have selected
DO crank or insane person His manner OF
pessh WAS very pleasant, not threatening, |
nd he did not indicate bis intention except
ossloly oy the manner In which he eyed me
ll looked at the bag he held In his hand"
mat ended the direct EXAMINATION. Mr.. |
Ack Of the counsel table. swung his legs idly,
'garded the witness smllinRly, and then |
.Eed in an unusually low voice:
:, mere do you reside. Mr.. SAge7
ess
And what is your age noWr" stIll In . very
~ tone.
= ssysnty-ssvsn years" Mr. Sage said.
Thea Mr.. ChoAts demanded. with . sudden
.lslng OF his voice. Do you ordinarily hear
~ well e. as you hAys heard the two questions
The witness looked BIT surprised and an
sshed In an almost inAudibls voice. Why.
2-btd you loss your voice By the explosion A-No
y tng sPo1s louder when you we're In CongresG did
W Choate. rssuminR . conversational tone.