The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-10-11
LEXOW INVESTIGATION
MIR, FORGET FORGOT BUT FIN.
ALLY REMEMBERED.
He Gave the Police Officials Five
Hundred Dollars For Protection but
Could Not Remember to Whom
He Paid the Money.

committee resumed operations today
Among those who gathered early in
the court room were several police
captains whose faces had not been
seen there before. A host of fresh
witnesses were also on hand, includ-
ing a man who wanted TO be police
man and was swindled in the attempt,
an iron moalder who says he was
robbed by policeman, and an anna,
teur detective who will nave lots tc
say about scandal in the Essex Mar
ket police court. Warden Martin told
about certain houses which he was
investigating.
M, Forget, of the French steamer
line, testified that his company paid
$500 to the police for prott jtion. The
policemen on the pier were paid SlC
per week and $500 went to the other
police officials. One Of the company's
DOCKS which was produced, showed
that in November; 1891, $500 had been
paid for special surveillance on the
pier" Mr.. Forget could not remem-
Der to whom the money was paid, -,
Mr.. Gof asked Mr.. Forget if Police
man Degan had been removed from
the pier because he refused to divide
with the captain the money he re-
caiyed from the company. began was
present in court and Mr.. Forget iden-
titled him Mr.. Forget's memory
again failed him and Mr.. Golf probed
it without avail.
Policeman Louis Degan testifid that
he was stationed on the French line
pier for 10 years, and the company
paid him $40 week for working over
time and ON his time off. In 1891
Wardman Vail told him he was to pay
$40 week to Captain Schmittberger.
Degan refused, saying he was already
paying the captain SIS week. He
was promptly removed to another
beat, All policemen, he said, shared
their extra money with the captain
uperintendent West of the French
line company, tes flied to Dagan's
efficiency. When Dsgan was trans
ferred Wardman Cannon demanded
the $40 formerly paid Degan.
William Schatt, passenger agent,
followed. He did not know any thing
OF his own knowledge.
Mr., Forget was recalled, and un-
der adrOit questioning by Mr.. Goff
that friends of Captain
SGhmittberger had approached him
and begged him to deny that Schmitt-
berger got 500, or it would ruin him.
He said he could not remember who
had approached him. 1t WAS repre-.
sented to him that the captain would
be dismissed if the $500 story came
out, and for the sake OF his family he
was to keep it dark.
Mr.. Forget, apoligizing for his i'm
perfect knowledge of the English Ian
guage said he did not want to go on
record as saying that he had been ap-
preached only in Captain Schmittber.
gers behalf. Some one, he could not
who, had in the last two
weeks asked him not to testify against
any police official. A mad named
Wolfe, two weeks ago in the Hotel
asked him not to testify
against Schmittberger.
Mr.. Golf and Mr.. LeXOw wanted to
get further particulars sbO~L Wolfe,
but failed Mr.. Forget only knew
Wolfe had spoken to him on several
occasions. Among Mr.. FOrget's sim.
was one to the effect that
seven men had shared in the $500.
There his "impression" faded. Mr..
5otf logged the Witness memory and
to mind the fact that he had !
written private letter to the direc- !
ors of the company, explaining the |
Of the $500. He had not |
Kept copy of the letter and the con-
ents had escaped his memory.
Senator LexOw asked the witness to |
able for the return of the letter.
"rhat would cost too much, 25 cents
|. word" said Mr.. Forget.
Counsel Goff then got the witness TO
dmit that he had written the list of
even names and told his cashier to
ivide the $500. Then Mr.. Gof laid a
able me ssage blank before the wit
ess. "Now write the message, we
Vill pay the tolls" |
Mr.. Forget begged to be excused.
Will you swear you don't know
7ho got the $5OO?" was asked by Mr..
ioff.
"No.r
"Come here tomorrow after you
lave slept over the testimony" was
he counse)'s parting shot. AS the
fitness was leaving the stand Police
ian John Corrigan was called. Mr..
foff had broken locust in his hand
nd charged the giant policeman " ith
reaking the club over small mans
cad. The small man was on the
5and by the eide of the policeman,
'ho lowered above him. The police
ian denied that he had broken his
Iu o on the prisoners head, He said
Q shattered the locust across an iron
siling which the sma II man grasped
ROundsman Wise N.as called and
enied the SIS incid ont. He also de-
led that he had tk reatened to COM
lit suicide in the presence Of Police
aptain Vest il charges we're pre-.
rred against him to the effect that
@ had entered Q ctiZen's house aud
cid improper relations with woman
/. the family. He admitted that be
ad hssn accused OF doing so,
Peter Edward QliDn, the small |
IAN, is8 Iab1rer. His clothes we're
B rags from The rough treatment he
sd received at the big pOlicemsn's Z
..da He 7ai' Nauigan struck him
the lac9 when me Teacasu The sfa
On house H8 wss struck because
e began TO Ia'F
J.m-= CUT.r. testified 'l ihe brute.
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