The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-13


NEW York, June ia large crowd
was present in court this morning when
the trial Of Erastus Wiman, charged with
forgery, was resumed. The first witness
called was James M. Fitzgerald,
who supplied the firm of X. q. Dun & Co.
with the paper used by them MT. Ftz-
TO his order by X. q. Dun q Co,
Feb. n, 1891, and asked IL he
had received the money for the same.
Witness said he had not. The signature
on the back, the witness said was not IN
his handwriting. The check was offered
The second witness was Ogden Brewer,
treasurer OF the Campbell Printing Press
Company. He was shown check Tor
5000, drawn on January 20, 1893, to the
printing press company. Despite General ,sIsd
checks were admitted In evidence, the de-
Tense taking exceptions.
Coss examined by General Tracy, witness
said that he had received Mr.. Wiman's
individual note in payment OF several
checks.
Cyrus II. Taylor, receiving teller Of the
Central National Bank, was recalled and
identified the deposit slip and check for
$500 drawn in favor OF Mr.. Fitzgerald by
Mr.. WIman.
Robert ID. Douglass, an employe OF the
firm since the year 1881, was then called
to the stand. He testified that he knew
nothing about the S135,00 check nor the
note for S45,000. He first saw the check
on February n, 1893.
81 now show you q letter. said Mr..
Weliman to the witness, and ask you
IL IL was written by Mr.. Wiman."
General Tracy objected, but not before
the witness had said it had been written
by Mr.. Wiman.
"I want to see that letter." thundered
General Tracy.
l. A..
read IL with much interest. General
Tracy then opposed the reading
OF the letter on the ground that
IL was a confidential communica-
tion. 1t was admitted by the
defense that the letter was written con-
fession by Mr.. Wiman to Mr.. Dun in
which the accused threw himself entirely
on Mr.. Dun's mercy.
The defense objected to the letter being
offered in evidence, on the ground that
Mr.. Wiman had been promised that the
letter would not be used against him in
any action.
1t was Just Ave minutes to noon when
General Tracy said:
sMr. WimGn, take the wit ness chair"
Made His Confession.
After giving his age and place of resi-
dence and brief sketch of his connection
with the firm of Dun a. Co., defendant
was asked about the letter of confession.
~ was assured" he said, at hat IL wrote
that letter / would not be prosecuted. /
had received such assurance from Mr..
MacFarland, council for Dun " Com
pany. / had known Mr.. MacFarland
for over 20 years and had esteemed him as
my friend. The letter was written partly
on the dictation of Mr.. MacFarland.p
That's all" said General Tracy.
Mr.. Wellman then asked that the cross
examination of the defendant be sus-
pended until Mr.. MacRarland, then
not present, should have testified. Mr..
MacFarland just Mt this moment made
witness chair. He Is tall, powerfully
built man with blonde co compiexion and
the deepest of bass voices. He denied
having any part In the writing OF
MIR. Miman's letter or that ne promised
the defendant immunity.
Mr.. Welman then tread Mr.. Wimnn's
letter OF confession, which is as follows !:
si4 BROADWAY, n. Y, Feb. 20, 1898.
NY Dear Mr. Dun-I have occasion TO write you
more than once in terms OF great hum milsaton, but
never before under sach circams'ances as
make 30 YOU. u is that improperly
and fraudalently have signed the name of u W.
made 70 his order viii not urge that this Was
done without evil inteat or that he would
that had any Intention Of defrauding him or you:
Simply and frankly 1 must say that committed
imprudently and can ask excuse nor paliaiion
OF The ofensc except such la your abundant char
ity and goodness OF heart you may In mercy extend
10 me.
For the sake or my dear wifo and children and
for the sake of this long service rendered TO you,
pray God your heart may be still sofened toward
INC and that I may not be made to suffer the
penalty OF my ofense. Respectfully,
[SignedJ ERASTUs WIMAN.
1.-THE people rest" said Mr.. Wellman, as
he finished reading the letter.
Then General Tracy arose and made the
usual motions for dismissal of the case.
This being denied, he then moved that
all evidence touching upon the sl35,0O0
check be stricken out, and in substance
requested the dismissal Of the whole first
count OF the indictment. All this being
denied he then opened, as was outlined
yesterday, by seeking to show that Win
man was partner in the firm of
Dun a. Co., and that as such his actions
were strictly legal, even 'If at times,
somew hat roundabout"