Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-14
WIMAN CONFESSES.
A Letter In Which He Throws Himself
on Dun'S Mercy.
CONFESSION READ IN COURT.
Strenuous objection Made to Its Admission
as Eyidence-The Prosecution
Rests Its Case.

NEW YORK. June l5.-rhe thir day OF
the trial OF Erastus Wiman for forgery In
the second degree was again marked by
the presence of a very large crowd In IN
Court OF oyer and Terminer this morn
ing as the District Attorney, Mr.. We'll
man, announced that the case for the peo-
pie would be closed to-day.
The first witness called was James NJ.
Fitzgerald, who supplied the firm of H. u.
Dun q Co. with the paper used by them
Mr.. Fitzgerald was shown check ior
$500. drawn to his order by K. q. DGn
& Co. February u, 1891, and asked " 'e
he had received the money for same.
Witness said he had not. The signature
on the back. the witness said. was not
in his handwriting.
The check was offered in evidence.
The second witness was Ogden Brewer.
the treasurer of the Campbell Printing
Press Company. He was shown a chccN
for s. go. drawn January 20. 1898, to the
printing-press company.
Despite General Tracy's numerous oh
iections, all these checks were admitted
I'm evidence, the defence taking EXCEPTIONS.
Cross-examined by General Tracy, Wit
ness said that he had received hr. WI
mans individual note in payment OF seve-
raj checks.
Cyrus III. Taylor, receiving teller OF the
Central National Bank was recalled ana
identified the deposit slip and check for
s.. JOO. drawn in favor of Mr.. Fitzgerald
by Mr.. Wiman.
Robert ID. Douglas, an employee OF the
firm since the year 1851 was then called
to the stand Witness testified that he
knew nothing about the $4,000 check nor
the note for $500, which have figured
I'm the case. lie first saw the check Feb
ruary Il. 1893.
L did not see the 5000 check on which
this charge is made until February II,
1898"
Mr. Wiman had been away from the
Office for three or four days at that par
ticular time
Il now show you a letter" said Mr.
Welman 10 the witness. and ask you IL
IT was written by Mr. Wiman?'
General Tracey objected. but not before
the witness hal said it had been written
by Mr. Wiman Witness also explained
that he was shown the 5000 check at the
Chemical National Bank.
Now I want TO see that letter" thun-
dcred General Tracey.
The letter was handed 10 him, and ne
read 1t with much interest.
OBJECTED TO THE LETTER.
General Tracey opposed the reading Of
the letter on the ground that IL was Il
confidential communication 1t was ad-
mitted by the defence that the letter WAS
a written confession by Mr. Wiman to
Mr. Dun, In which the accused threw him
self entirely on Mr.. Dun's mercy.
The defence objected to the letter offer
ed I'm evidence on the ground that Mr..
Wiman had been promised that the letter
would not BE- used against him In any ac-
tion.
Erastus Wiman. the defendant, was then
/ called. After giving his age and place of
residence and a brief sketch Of his con-
nection with the firm OF Dun & Co, the
defendant was asked about the letter of
. confession.
81 was assured" he said that II |
wrote that letter | would not be prose
cuted | had received such assurance
from Mr Mcfarland. counsel for Dun q
Co ! had known Mr.. Mcfarland for over
twenty years and had esteemed him as
ny friend. The letter was written partly
! 1T the dIctation o. Mr.. Mcfarland"
That's ALL" said General Tracy.
Mr.. Welman then asked that the cross
examination OF the defendant be sus-
pended until Mr.. Mcfarland should have
! testified.
Mr.. Mcfarland denied having had any
part in the writing Of Mr.. Wiman's letter
or that he promised the defendant Inn
munity He could not give the accused
any assurance of immunity, not being
/ empowered to do so.
/ Cross-examined as to- certain properties
held in the name Of Mr.. Wiman and his
wife. Mr.. Mcfarland admitted that he
had made inquiries in that direction. This
he thought perfectly natural. as ii was
| his duty 10 protect the interests Of the
+ firm of r. g. Dun x co.
/ Mr. Wellman then read Mr.. Wiman
! letter Of confession.
The letter reads "a follows.
NEW YOK. February 90 1893
MY Dear Mr.. Dun,-I have occasion 70
I write YOU more than once ia terms OF
/ great humiliation, bat never before under
! such circumstances as now. i'm which
/ havs a confession 10 make TO you. Ii Is
| that. improperly and fraudulently. have
| signed the name Of Il. W. Bullinger on th'
back OF two checks of your firm made u
! his order.
II will not urge that this was done with
! out evil intent. or that he would not nave
| signed them himself had | asked MIN
! or that / had any intention OF detraudlhs
! him or you. Simply and frankly. must
say that | committed this act without au
! thOrity and most imprudently, ana car
| ask no excuse nor palliation or the
| offence. except such as in your abundant
/ charity and goodness of heart you may
/ in mercy extend 10 me.
/ For the sake OF my dear wife anc
! children. and for the sake Of this Ions
service rendered 10 you. | pray God you'
heart may be- still softened toward me
and that | may not be made to sufte'
the penalty OF my offence.
| (Signed Respectfully.
"ERASTUS WIMAN."
'The people rest" said Mr.. Wellman
as he finished reading the letter.
Then General Tracy arose ana mad'
the usual motions for dismissal OF th'
| case.
This being denied. he then moved tina
! all evidence touching upon the $l35,OV
check be stricken out, and. in substance
requested the dismissal OF the whole O
| the first count of the indictment.
| All this being denied, he then opened b,
| seeking to show that Wman was part
| ner I'm the firm of Dun & Co, and that
| as such, his actions were strictly legal
| "lf al times somewhat roundabout.