Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-02
Safe Blowing Case Reaches Another
Stage Today.
BILLY WILLIAMS AND His CONFESSION
That Individual Comes in for Some
More Probing.
EV NOE ALL IN

The defense in the case of Charles, alias
Buck, Aufforr and Edward, alias Eddie,
Desmond, the alleged safe blowers. was
&C included yesterday afternoon after The
Stars report of the trial closed. This
morning, whenDistrictAttorrey Birney COM
menced the introduction of testimony in
rebuttal, the court room was even more
crowded than on the preceding days of the
trial The resumption of the trial today
was delayed until about IL o'clock, because
Of District Attorney Birneys attendance in
the Howgate case.
The cross-examination of the defendant
Auffort yesterday developed nothing ma
terially new. the young man insisting that
he knew nothing of the robbery. and that
while he had visited Gamblers jackson
City resort, he never met Desmond until
he saw him here in Jail.
James Wells, a brother of Monte Wells,
stated that he took Billy Williams in after
the latter's release from the Virginia penf-
Tertiary to keep him from starving. VIII
lianas' reputation for veracity, he said was
about as bad as bad could be. Wells also
stated that Williams unsuccessfully en-
daavored to induce him to fix up an alibi
for him.
Charles Berdhe;m, Desmond's attorney,
testified that he was present during con-
ference between Williams and his counsel
at the Jail, VIXEN Billy was introduced to
however, to state what conversation as to
immunity took place there between. Will
liams and his counsel.
In Poker Came.
Thos S. Donaldson, CaRdler's barkeeper,
stated that Desmond was in Il poker game
the night Of the robbery, from II until
about am, and also stated that 70 cart
ridges were found in Dssmond's valise the
night of the robbery.
Desmond Testifics.
After another witness had given similar
testimony as to Desmond's participation in
the poker game, Desmond took the stand.
He said he came here from Cincinnati,
Ohio. where he had elerked in 4 carriage
company for about two years. He began
playing the races at Latonta, and also III
drlged IN cards. He came here about last
Christmas time, but denied that he came
in company with Dempsey. he Insisted
that the night Of the robbery he sat in
poker same at Cardler's from IL until
about an. He admitted carrying re-
volver. but denied being connected with
the robbery IN any way whatever, although
he admitted knowing Billy Williams, ard
having roomsd at Gamblers with Dempsey,
whom he only knew, ne insisted, as Jack.
In Rcbuttal.
As his first witness in rebuttal District
Attorney B!rney recalled Mrs. Williams,
the wife of Billy Williams, who stated that
Tith money received from James Thornton,
an old pension, she purchased piano from
Messrs. Droop 6 Co. on the 4th OF last
March. 1t was delivered to her the next
day, and about week later she began
taking music lessons from Miss Rebea
Green.
Frank S. Boucher. n clerk in the firm CT
Drop s. Co., corroborated Mrs. Williams
as to the sale and delivery OF the piano,
and Miss Green stated that she commenced
instructing Mrs. Williams about week
later. About the third week in March she
gave Mrs. Williams the piece OF music on
which Auffort swore he wrote his Virginia
address the first week in March. but on
which, the government claims. Au!fort did
not write his address until day or Two
after the robbery.
Patrick Culligan, a young man, testified
to accompanying Mrs. Williams when she
called upon Monte Wells, but stated that
he did not hear all that was said by them.
Cuiiigan's testimony closed the case for
the prosecution, and the defense called
Alex. Ii. Martyr, a friend of George LIE
Ceinte, who stated that he heard con-
versation at the Jail between Billy Will
Jams and Mrs. Williams, in which Mrs.
Williams characterized her husbands state
ments as a mass of lies. No further testi-
mony was offered by the defense, but they
submitted number Of prayers. asking the
court TO instruct tire jury that If they be-
!eved that Willisrls was an accomplish
in the robbery they should view mis- state
ments with suspicion, and not convict either
Williams was fully corroborated by other
material witnesses.
Arguments Begun.
Mr.. Birney then made the opening adj
dress to the jury. He had no wish or in
ter ton, he explained, of defending or ex-
cusing Billy Williams course Of life, but
ne called attention to the fact that very
often the testimony Of such characters is
the only kind available. He did not ask
the jury to rely upon Williams testimony
urless it was fully corToboratel by other
witnesses. That had been done, he claimed,
and he referred to the flight OF AuTort, the
intimacy existing between the defendants
and Williams and Dempsey, and the va
rious other details in the case as con-
clusively establishing the guilt of each de-
PENDANT
sIr. Birney Concludes.
Mr. Birney. concluded his address just
previous to the usual midday recess, and
this afternoon Mr.. Charles Bendheiin
counsel for Desmond, and eX-Ccngressman
Chas. II. Turner of counsel for Auffort,
addressed the jury.
The case is not expected to close until
some time tomorrow afternoon.