The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-26
His Testimony Before the Lexow In
vestigating Committee Yesterday
Given with Great Reluctance.
SOURCES OF HIS WEALTH
HIS sLAwv PRACTICE WORTH FROM
$4,000 TO $4,000 A YEAR.
Also n Member Of n Firm That Has
600 ON Hand-"Rattled" Mr.. Con.

NEW YORK, Oct. Commits
sioner Sheehan was the star witness at
to-day's session of the Lexow cimmittee.
He had been sent for this morning, and
had been informed that he must appear to
answer the subpoena at the afternoon ses-
sion. The news that Mr.. Sheehan would
appear on the stand this afternoon spread
rapidly throughout the city, and long be-
fore the afternoon session was called to
order a big crowd blocked the passageway
leading to the court room.
Fifty witnesses were present when the
committee opened its session to-day. DR..
Parkhurst occupied a seat near Mr.. Golf.
Senator Lexow said he wanted it under
stood that the committee would not cease
TO exist next January, as was popularity
supposed, and so the people who are stay
ing out of the State to evade ~subpoenas
will have to stay outside till 1896.
Patrolman Michael j. Cooney, of the
Fourteenth precinct, was sworn. Mr.. Goff
charged him with receiving a diamond ring
and a gold watch from Matilda Hermann.
The officer denied the accusation.
You kissed her goodbye in the Grand
Central depot before she went West recent
ly.,", said Mr.; Golf.
II did not"
Ibid you go to Saratoga with her sew
eral years ago?'
xNO Il Wtnl jill
ibid you lose 5000 on the race track?'
II don't remember how much"
Cooney was detective in the ward In which
Matilda Hermann lived. He was asked
to step aside for a while and Ralph NJ.
Hyde, superintendent for Tiffany a. Co,
took the stand. He had a salesman's book
costing $500 had the name of Joseph Cooney
engraved on Ii. The watch was sold on
July 20, 1891. The name of the purchaser
was NJ. Guilieneck. The purchaser lived at
No. 1871 West Third street.
Cooney was recalled and denied that the
watch was for him or that he went to
Tifany's. Mr.. Golf did not make any prog
gress with the witness, who denied every
thing Here is a sample of the denials:
Did you know wardmen were collectors
for the captains
"Do you not know you are lyingw
when a man was robbed of $500 in a
panel house did you not receive half?"
threatened with a cell if he testiGed against
you at headquarters?'
Not In my presence"
Promptly upon the assembling of the
committee after recess Mr.. Golf conferred
with the chairman a moment and called:
commissioner Sheehan." Commissions
Sheehan at once took the stand, but before
he could be sworn Senator Cantor made a
vigorous protest against the examination
of the commissioner on the ground that
his public duties necessitated his appear
ance at police headquarters. At first Mr..
Gof excused Sheehan until tomorrow
morning, as the commissioner had informed
him that Ii was necessary for him TO at
tend a meeting of the Police Board this
afternoon. Senator Cantor asked that the
examination of the commissioner be post,
poned until after election. Mr.. Golf refused
this. Then Commissioner Sheehan said
that II he must appear tomorrow he might
as we'll be examined to-day and have Ii
for tomorrow than those scheduled for
this afternoon. Mr.. Golf said: Every we'll,
the testimony will be proceeded with at
once" Mr.. Goff then questioned the com
missioner as to the location of the different
station houses in his district.
after some hesitation and attempts to refer
to a small directory, which Mr.. Golf OBJ
jected to; According to Mr.. Gof's recapitu-
failed to locate correctly two of his station
houses, as well as police headquarters.
Does your mind get mixed UP with the
streets of Buffalo and the streets of New
mo, sir" replied the commissioner.
Mr.. Golf then ELECTED from the witness
TO this city about eight years ago. upon
assurance that he would be given a public
position. He denied he had ever acted as
represented the Gould interest.
Questioned about his law practice Mr..
sheehan said the bulk was in consultation.
and that he drew a revenue from 1t Of
$4,000 to 5000 a year. Mr.. Sheehan said
most OF his time was spent at headquarters,
The business did not in any way interfere
with his duties as Police Commissioner
He said he was a member of the firm OF
John c.. Sheehan & Co., composed of John
O'Brien and himself. This firm vas doing
a business in Long Island City, the con-
tracts of which amounted to about s500,O0o.
After some sparring between Mr.. Golf and
the commissioner with regard to Inspector
WilliamS'S connection with the Long ISL
and City contracts and his efforts to secure
a comnissionership, an adjournment was
taken until Tomorrow. Commissioner Shee-
han did not care about going on the stand
tomorrow. He said his business at police
headquarters was too pressing. Mr.. Goff
would not excuse him.