The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-20
MIR. LEoNARD's HEARING ENDED.
The Last Testimony Didn't Bring out
Anything New.

Mr.. J. ]. Leonard was held by United
States Commissioner n. A Connolly at the
conclusion Of his hearing yesterday morn
ing to appear before the next term Of the
United States court. the charge being that
he purchased a lot of rope that was stolen
from the government at Fort OglsthOrpe.
The first part Of the investigation took
place about two weeks ago, and was post
poned on account Of the fact that all Of
the necessary witnesses could not be
found. Harrison Blake the driver who
hauled some of the rope for James john
son the negro who entered the fort, was
the witness wanted and he was on manu-
az tne hearing, though his testimony de-
Nelopeq nothing particularly new, nor dld
II tenQ TO any further lncrimlnate the
junk dealer
The other driver who appeared at the first
nearing could not remember when ne
nauled the rope, and was doubtful as TO
Wnom II was delivered. Just about as
much satisfaction was gotten out OF Blake.
he stated that Johnson employed him TO
maui one load of rope about three months
ago. but that he did not carry IL 10 its
destination. He had TO attend to some
other business at the time, and his neph-
e"f Nathan Blake. drove the wagon. The
nephew was put on the stand and remem-
bered having hauled the lOaC to some
point on the river front under the blum,
but ne could not recollect positively where
he took it to-
The testimony of a negro. named L.
Fafker, eorrobOrates beyond doubt
JohusOnS confession as to having taken
the rope from the fort. Parker saw John
son following behind a wagon one day
about the time the rope was taken, and
on the wagon were loaded several bum
dies which he took to be rope one of
these bundles fell Off, as it seems, unno-
ticed by Johnson, and Parker picked
II up and hid II. This coil Of rope. which
was part of that used on the govern
ment snag boats, was brought into court
At the conclusion Of the testimony Mr.
I. J. OConnOr, who appeared for MIR
Leonard, stated that he had nothing to say
except 1t did not appear that the gov
eminent had made out any CASE AGAINST
his client, and as the case was very
weak one at best, he did not think II
worth while to put up any testimony.
Commissioner Connolly, however, de-
cided to hold him for appearance at the
next term of the United States court
All that the commissioners court has 10
do, he stated, was 10 find probable cause,
and though there was no inference that
the defendant was guilty, he would hold
MIN, he said, and send the papers IN the
case 10 the district attorney, and let
him pass on the matter
1t will be remembered that about a
month ago it was discovered that about
10000 pounds of rope used by the gov
eminent snag boats had been stolen
from Fort Oglethorpe. James Johnson
and Thomas Dodden, two negroes, were
arrested on charges OF having stolen
ii, and after awhile they admitted having
taken it, and implicated Mr.. Leonard,
stating that he had gwen them the key
to the fort and paid them for going after
the rope. John Malene, who Is in Mr.. Leo
nard' employ was also implicated by the
statement of the negroes, and he, too,
has been held for appearance at the next
term of the United States court.
Mr.. Leonard said that the testimony or
the negro driver, Blake, showed that the
load of rope under discussion at the hear
ing was carried on the river front be-
tween Whitaker and Lincoln streets, ana
that his place is not within these limits,
so that It could not have been brought
there. The charge of being implicated IN
the larceny of the rope has been dropped
so far as he is concerned, he states, ana
the only one now standing Is that OF re-
ceiving stolen goods. Commissioner Con-
molly has decided 10 reduce his bond,
which was originally fixed at 81, 600
Mr.. Leonards friends are confident OF
his innocence of the charge against him.
He is a well known young Savannah boy,
who entered the junk business about a
year ago. Those who know him say ne is
simply a victim of circums tances, ana
that when the case comes to trial, II II
ever does. his guilt viii be disproven ana
his innocence established beyond a doubt