The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-17

! cral FOR the investment. Witness did
not know the prisoner BY any other name
than Thomas n. Parker.
Mir. Wendenburg then put the witness
through a rigid cross-examination. Mr.
/ Withcrs stated that he ran away from
home three times. At first he was fifteen
/ years Of age lie landed in Philadelphia
where he filled the position Of q porter.
( He wound up IN Jail. and after being
carried back home. he ran away again.
/ went to New York, thence went TO sea,
driftod 10 London. and finally joined
/ her Maiessy's service as a private sol
der.
When Mr.. Wendenburg asked witness
whether he had been going around the
country entering into gambling schemes
since he was twenty-one years Of age.
Mr.. Smith objected upon the ground that
counsel for the defence were going 70
try TO implicate the witness into all
kinds Of schemes In the way of gambling,
and the like. and that they would at
tempt TO bring the witness into disgrace
In the community Judge Wickham sus-
tanned the counsel for the prosecution.
and said the witness could answer such
questions at his own pleasure
For the last four or five years Mr..
Withers said he had been q mark for
notorious gamblers, and in this way had
been moro or less closely associated with
them. He refused TO answer the question
when and how he lost 5000 short time
before his gold brick experience In this
city. He also declined to answer why
he owed Simon Caps a certain sum OF
money Caps was notorious gambler,
said the witness.
SKIN GAME.
Mr.. Smith advised the witness to de-
cline to answer whether he had lost
nlH bCr ffrnr q
airy ga a skin game Of cards Judge
Wickam stated here that he thought
such questions should be answered ac-
cording to the pleasure Of witness. The
jury retired. and the Court stated that
there were two questions TO be decided,
first. whether the witness should be ask
ed questions which tended TO damage
his character I'm the community, and
second that witness mad the privilege OF
appealing TO the Court whether or not he
must answer any questions asked him.
Mr. Thomasson, for the Common
wealth, stated that the witness did not
always know whether or not he should
answer certain questions and that where
II was evident that the object OF the
defence was 10 bring the witness 'nto
disgrace and contempt he should be pro
tected by counsel for the Commonwealth
Witness refused TO answer whether or
not he lost s. 300 In game of cards with
Simon Caps and afterwards declined 70
pay the amount. when the claim was
put into the hands Of an attorney.
Another protest against this line OF
questioning was made by counsel for the
prosecution. Counsel for the defence had
a right TO bring witnesses frOr. IiOU-
cester or elseN, n~.e 90 prove the general
character Of the witness. said MI.
Thomasson. but the process Of trying to
create I'm the minds of the jury strong
impression against the veracity ana char-
acter Of the witness was Illegal
Witness declined to answer the ques-
ton. whether he told certain gamblers
I'm Norfolk that he had learned skin
game u cards by which he could Guido
gamblers. and In the same game had lost
5000.
To all these rcfusals to answer ques-
tions on the part OF Mr.. Withers, coun-
sci for the defence made exceptions. Inc
court then adjourned at O'Clock until
Sl5 r. VI.
N THE AFTERNOON.
Mr.. Wthers went back upon the wit
ness-stand at 1855 o'clock, and was ques-
toned by Mr. Wendenburg. lie was
shown a lot of metallic borings. wrapped
I'm a piece of paper. lie thought they
were The same borngs which were made
by the process employer ny Iarkcr lh
testing the gold bricks. He TESTIFIED 10
the way in which Parker pretended 10
test the metal; how the acids and needles
were used. and how the samples of gold
which he furnished the alleged assayer
stood the action of the acid in the expert
ment.
Withers testified that the information
that the Indian was inclined 10 give the
gold TO the Catholic Church had made
him anxious 20 hurry matters up. VIII
Hams appeared TO be distrustful Of the
q know where
the Indian WAS at first Williams told
the witness that he was an Ignorant
man The alleged miner suggested that
matters be executed on the quiet. WI
liams was to give the Indian a drink
Of whisky to make him feel good, and
then the deal could be more easily made.
williams was to purchase a ticket. AMI
see the Indian safely on his way TO the
reservation. lie OWilhams) would proDa-
blv have to go forty or fifty miles with
the Indian.
Williams put up the money for the de-
posit-box for a year. Witness told Mr.
Ouarles that the boxes deposited contain
ed patent castings. He expected TO car
ny the gold to Philadelphia for sale, ana
didn't care for IL TO be known that he
was carrying with him so large guam
tity Of the coveted metal. He didn't
know what the value OF the metal VAS
The question of a few thousand dol
lars" said he. doesn't cut any figure
when you've got gold bricks.
This little quotation provoked hearty
laughter throughout the courtroom
Mr. Carter then asked the witness ABOUT
his first acquaintance with Williams, the
alleged miner Mr.. Withers outlined his
experience with Williams; how the lat
ter had called at his home IN Gloucester
made arrangements In regard TO the gold
brick deal. accompanied him to Richmond,
perfected the scheme in this city in TWEEN
ty-four hours and secured S5,OV,Whicl Wit
ness borrowed to transact the business.
Witness regarded the deal as loan 10
him. he taking the gold bricks as col
lateral security.
Here Mr. Carter turned the cross-eN-
animation over to Mr. Wendenburg who
asked witness if he had not remarked TO
Parker that it would be a shame TO al
low the poor, ignorant Indian 10 travel
around with the other two goid prlcKs,
that II would be much better 10 ma
the Indian dead the next day, without
the gold bricks, which could be so much
more proftably disposed Of. Witness dc
MED this fatty Said he. u have great
respect for the Indian-not this particular
Indian. but the Indian In general
Q.aughterD
When questioned by Mr.. smith Wit
ness said that when the gold bricks were
taken to Philadelphia. he expected 10 get
his 5000 back together with one-tnlld
OF the amount for which the bricks sold
The Indian would get the rest.
AT Mr.. Smiths request witness related