The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-14
CONFESSION
Of Mr., WIMAN
The Letter 10 Mr.. Dun Admitting Fraudulent
Acts.
Sensation OF THE DAY IN court
Testimony Introduced by the Prose-
cution-Mr. Wellman Creates Stir
by Introducing a Letter from Mr..
Wiman to MIR. Dun in Which the
Fraudulent Practices Are Admitted.
Heated Discussion Over ihe Admis-
sion of the Evidence.
NEW YORK. lima 12

NEW YORK, June 10.
C7PHE trial OF Erastus Wiman.
charged with forgery in the sec.
ond degree, was resumed this
Ii morning. Following evidence of
DR.. Douglass and others Mr.. Wsllman
caused n sensation by producing a
letter which contained Il so-caled con-
fession Of Mr.. Wlmau. Handing the
document to Mr.. Douglass, who was on
the witness stand, he asked Mr.. Doug
lass If he had over seen it. Mr.. Doug
lass said he had seen it on Monday,
Feb. 20, 1898. at Mr. Dun's house, and
that it was the handwriting of Mr.,
Wiman. Mr.. Wellma1 then offered it
in evidence. 1t was the alleged letter
from Mr. Wiman to Mr.. Dun, confess
ing his wrong doing and impioriug
clemency. Before the question of its
admissi bility was passed upon the
letter WAS submitted fto the counsel
Tor the defense General Tracy, Mr..
Clark, Mr. Boardman and MIR, Green
shields put their heads together in con-
siderable mental pertur baton. Then
General Tracy in a grave voice oh
Jected to the admission of the letter on
the ground. first, that it was written
by the advice of his counsel, w. w.
Mcfarland. and, second, that it was
written and signed by Mr.. Wlmun in
consequence of assurances that il
would De better for him to do 80, and
that if he did so no proceedings would
be taken against him, either criminal
or civil.
Judge Ingraham said that his busi-
ners was merely TO pass upon the ad-
missibility of evidence offered, and
that no agreement between Mr.. Wiman
and Mr.. MscFArland or Mr.. Dun could
bind ths people unless the latter were Il
party 10 it.
THE LETTER ADMITTED.
After considerable argument Mr.
Wellman asked Judge Ingraham to
pass upon the admissibility of Mr..
Wiman's letter Of confession, and the
justice said that he saw no Grodnd
upon which the people could be debar-
red from making it part of their case.
Mr.. Wellman then read it to the jury,
and, upon finishing. said that the peo-
pie rested. During the reading Mr.
WlmGn sat with his face almost hidden
in his hands. The letter was 40 fol-
lows
3li BROADWAY, Feb. 90, 1893.
My DEAR Nh. DUN:-I have had ucca-
sion to write sou more than once in terms
of great humiliation, but never before un-
der such circumstances AS now in which
have n confession to make to you. 1t IS
that improperly and fraudulently have
signed the name of Mr.. &. W. Bulinger
ON the back of two checks Of your firm
made to his order. | will not urge that
this was done without any evil in
tent, or that he would not have sign
ed them himself had asked him, or that
had any in Lention of defrauding you or
him. Simply and frankly | must say that
committed this act without authority
and most imprudently, and can ask no
excuse or pGilation Of the offence, except
such us in your abundant charity and
goodness of heart you may ia mercy eX-
lend to me.
For the sake Of my dear wife and chill
dren, and for the sake of the long service
have 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 offense Respectfully,
ERAs1Us WMAN.
AS far as can be learned in advance,
General Tracy will contend that Mr..
Wiman was partner in the firm Of r
G. Dun q Co.. and that rs such he had
a right 10 draw on the firm. 1t will be
asserted tho use of tho name e w
Bullinger as drawee was nothing
more than the use of fictitious
drawee practice sanctioned by the
latest decision Of the supreme court
and undisturbed by the court of ap.
peas.