New-York tribune., 1895-12-11
MICH STILL ON THE STAND.
HIS CRoss-EXAMINArIoN BY EX-JUDGE
CURTIS.


HE TELLS ABOUT THE INVENTORIES MADE OF
GoRDoNs STOCK AFTER THE FIRE
The cross-examination OF Samuel Mich public
FIRE sdjuster and confessed firebug was continued
by ex-Judge Curtis yesterday in the trial of Lewis
Gordon for arson. before Judge Fitzgerald in Cen
eral Sessions, Part Ill The witness has been on
the stand four days. Ex-Judge Curtis asked the
witness If he had any scrap of paper signed by
Gordon relating to the fire other than the ! per
cent contract The witness said he had. He sur
rendered to the authorities on March 20 last II
after he got out on bail that he had his inter-
view with Assistant District Attorney Davis Some
time after that he had interview with Gordon at
the latter's house. No 2o2 Madison-ave 1t was at
Il 30 o'clock a. night.
Mich said he had dozen making the in
ventory of Gordon's factory after the fire. They
there for ten days He had another party
there for about fourteen days making the in
ventory. The proof Of loss was made from the in
ventory.
Did you present the statement of loss TO the
adjusters of the various insurance companies as
a. accurate and one?" asked Mr. Curtis.
NO. air.
Well. did you tell them it dishonest and
rot accurate?' continued the lawyer.
NO. sir"
Well. now how did you present it?
i didn't present it at all; my clerk presented
II" Mich replied. as he smiled at his cross-ex-
sn.ner
You knew Gordon swore to false statement
Yes. sir"
In reply TO a question. Mich said he found from
Go-don's books that the history OF sales for the
last two years did not justify Claim ihat there
was $4,000 worth OF stock in the factory at the
time OF the fire. The books were therefore fixed
" 10 show greater sales. ard the bills of sale
were increased Bogus bills made out
Did Gordon ser bogus bills of sale from any
commercial house in the ety.
Yes. SIT.
IF you will let see the bills will point them
out" replied Mich.
Mr. Curtis would not give him the bills.
Mr Curtis said Gordon had business relations
with twenty-five reputable business firms. and
told the witness that If he had any charges OF
a shoaest dealings against these firms TO make
them now.
The witness said he had no charges 70 make. He
testified that the doctored books showed fictitious
sales OF $1,000 worth OF stock BY Gordon since
M TO the @s Of Of sf rs n scods T6sTe Doash
daEng The same e snSit the books to the adjust
ers Tor Inspection?
GA par of tie books only" ,,.
coainred. ASr He vas asked about the inventories
'Didnt the amount Of goods asnasec ,Ga.ss Oy IRE
pa 1: 5eDrs;s,ea9t 5eDrss;,es9 SO s.sSON3~ Comes.
DO YOU know that from your own knowieoseF
Ex-judge Curtis then went into IN minute details
Of the ryea.ees saia a1S that Goraons clerk
heiner had refused to supply some Information an
10 one Of the adlusters because IL was 'AO"s"'
tSat he was not friendly TO Gordon .s
Mr. Curtis brought out that Gordon susges,edd susg,ed
thai some money be given 10 some one cohilecteu
with tns Fire MarshaIs office 10 secure iaVpr-
abe report Of the fire This was atner "a U9lVbn TN
Rad been 10 see Fire Marshal Michel. ana the
ia-ter rad stated beIef tnat GoI9on was On an
honest man and that there was nothing 1'0oAe'
about the FIRE. - ~ c.o-so, against
The Insurance companies 10 recover the S'-V'0 III
surancs on his factory?
The witness said ne did not know. .,ro -
,hs insurauce companies had not been present IN th
Courtroom last Thursday, sitting in the incosure oA
the Assistant District-Attorney. -. .a AZ
The witness said he had not seen MIN, any W.
NE ohiarted 10 that line Of questions. MI curtis
80 ,bsy MIR DAVIS as astute he was. was as
t@norsnf as a child of the real drama going on
Navertheless Mr. Curtis did not ask any more
questions on that subject .s 49, "a -
Mich denied that he had tried to induce the al.
f,,ster George ". Hat. 10 make confession doo"'
incendiary fires. and thus escape prosecution
The case will go on to-day.