The herald., 1894-09-13
.PLATT ON THE WITNESS STAND
The Prosecution Piles Up Some
Strong Evidence.
Purely Business Transaction Ac-
cording to Mr.. Platt.
Rapid Progress In the Trial of O. ID.
PIatt and Emil Harris-rhe Pros
ecution Rests and the De-
fonse Commences.

The government closed its case and @.
D. Plstt nearly finished his direct testi-
mony in the trial OF Plstt and Emil
Harris. yesterday, in Judge Roses
court.
The prosecution kept closing around
the defendants all day with what seems
to be an exceedingly strong case. but
the sensational incident of the day was
Platt's own testimony, who admitted
nesrly everything to which E. E. Gran
dali had testified, but tried to explain
his and Harris actions, by claiming
that Harris took 500 check from
Crandall as q retainer. and that there
was no blackmail about it.
Mr.. Crandsll's face WAS a study dur
ing this testimony, and his eyes were as
big as saucers.
The court was kept waiting several
minutes after it convened in the morn
ing, by the absence of Officer w. A.
Bosqui. When he arrived, somewhat
out of breath, he explained that his
watch had stopped and he did not
know he was late until it was too late.
Judge Ross said that he should have
been there and fined him SIS. This the
officer was preparing to produce when
District Attorney Denis told him he
could wait until later.
Mr.. Bosoui resumed his testimony
with reference to the fret conversation
he overheard, at IL o'clock Monday
smorning. He took up the conversation
where he left off the day before and
finished it, and told how Platt had re-
ferred to number OF people who had
been made TO pungle up by Harris and
himself. Plat said he was interested
in number of these csses. But he
did not have to be, as he had $50, 600
in per cent government bonds. and
$3.50 month besides. Platt told Mr..
Crandall that he would see that Harris
came to the room at night because hs
had MIN under his thumb.
In the evening at o'clock. when Mr..
Benson, Mr.. Smith and the witness
were outside the window, Platt and
Harris came in. Mr.. Cranda!l told Har-
ris that he heard he had lot of dam
aging matter against him for publica-
ton. Harris replied that he had and
that ii was in New York. Mr.. Gram
dali asked him why it was there. Har-
ris replied that it was there to be pub
lished. Mr.. Crandall then went on to
ask Harris how much he would take to
turn over the stuff to him.
The witness then gave the dicker
which resulted in the 500 check being
given to Harris, very much as Mr.. Gran
dali had done, and until Platt and Har-
ris left the room, when he followed and
was near by when they were arrested.
II was present. said MIR. Bosqui,
when the defendants we're brought to
the city jail. They were arrested about
" after leaving it. l followed them all
the way. right behind them"
The $500 check being shown the wit
ness. he identified it as having seen it
frat in the hands OF Sergeant Gus
Smith that night. After reaching the
CITY iail he did not search Harris, bat
instructed Officer Goodman to go to
Herris' cell and search him for the
memorandum book.
Mr.. Gage conducted the oross-exam-
ination OF Mr.. Bosqui. He first asked
him the location of the rooms where be
heard the conversation, and the officer
| stated he was right at the window in
| the we'll hole. Mr.. Harrio was about
or 9 feet away during the conversation,
and Platt about the same distance. The
window was up. There was a curtain
and the head of the bed between him
and the defendants.
"Was there anything said there about
q drink" asked Mr.. Gage.
Eyes, sir; during the morning con-
yersation | heard Mr.. Platt say there
was flask OF whisky, and he would
take a drink. He afterwards comment
ed on the quality OF the liquor"
"How about at night?"
III heard Mr.. Platt AJAX Harris to take
a drink, and he refused"
In the course OF the croas.exsmination
Mr.. Bosoui said that he could not see
Harris at any time during the converse
ton.
Mr.. Gage had the witness repea
nearly the whole of the conversation
before he got through with him.
what did Piatt say that night.
asked Mr.. Gage, that connected hin
with the matter?'
Mr.. Bosqui could not answer tn,
question without detailing the conversa
ton nearly all over again. What Plat
said during the conversation waa to urg
Crandsll to pay Harris what he aaked
and that when he .(Platt) told Crandal
he ought to get the letters and cuts TO
$500 he did not know that Emil ha
been to 80 much expense as he had sine
learned he had.
"Didn't Harris say If Crandsll pal
him this money he would bs On his sid
forever"
mo, sir. He said: When you pa
me the money this matter will be ende
: forever. and you need not be afraid {
! ever being harrassed about it again."
"You can't say anything disconnec'
edly, them" insisted Nj. Gage, ''thi
8 Mr. Plat said, without repeating all tt
conversation ?"
, at is very difficult. could say son
. things. but it was q long time ago, an
! thew were long conversations"
The court--How happens it that yo
and Mr.. Benson and Mr.. Smith were
. tho we'll that night?
> 1--WE were ordered there by the chi
: Of police"
The court-For what purpose?
!. see and hear what took place?
. Eyes, SIR"
: "You are an enemy of Mr.. Harris, q
YOU not ?" asked Mr.. Gage.
l. ''He hiss been more of an enemy
o mine than ! OF him. From an officer
!, standpoint am not an enemy. The
3 is warm feeling, l admit. 1t is not
bitter feeling, will say"
q slow long since you have spoken
It him ?" :.
n IA long time. When Burns was chi
h -oi;.o I'D uorr;a coptQin Of D0li