The herald., 1896-09-18
WATER STOCK GOES UP
MIR. Spilman Leaves Court
With Flying Colors
BUT NOT YET OUT OF THE WOODS
S
District Attorney Williams Still
Vows Vengeance
CORONER REFUSES A DUTY
curlsus Case Of Barterisg Over child's
Dlshonor
". I. Fitch Ships and Leaves His Beads men
to Pay Up
CORONER REFUSES A DUTY
Curleus Case Of Barterlng Over Chlld's
Dishonor
". I. Fitch Sklps and Leaves His Beads men
to Pay Up
Mrs. s. Kirk Wins $4,000 In Her Damage
Suit-Rumor Regarding cap"
Chase-A Local Railway Con-
templated-Court Notes


W. T. Spilman, president of the Spill
man Suburban Water company. Is no
longer under q cloud and business will
be carried on as heretofore at the old
stand.
His examination in the township court
ended yesterday afternoon, as prognos-
ticated by The Herald two weeks ago.
and Justice Young in ordering his dis
charge INDICATED him from any illegiti'
mate designs on the purse of ]. T. Mich
OILS. the unsophisticated invalid-tourist
from Mississippi-on the evidence pre-
scented.
The first witness put forward yes
terday morning in behalf Of the people
was E. c. Hines, deputy city treasurer,
but to the evident disgust of Assistant
District Attorney Williams he did not
testify as desired or expected.
He said he had been secretary of the
Spilman Suburban Water company up
to last June, when new officers were
elected at the annual election.
What was the market value of the
company's stock in September, 1882"
inquired Mr.. Williams.
II don't know" answered the witness.
with elaboration.
did 1t have any?"
IT don't know. knew nothing on that
point until yesterday. when heard the
testimony in this court ROOM"
"You don't know anything regarding
it's value, them"
"Well, value is a term used according
to ones judgment and what it will bring
in the market. never offered my ten
shares for SALE"
Being pressed, the witness appealed
to the court as to whether or not he was
to be compelled to estimate the value Of
his assets. Being ordered to answer. he
repeated that he did not know.
could you have sold it for anything?"
II don't know"
"You know whether it was absolutely
worthless. That watch you have got in
your pocket you know is worth cents
or $50
ri bought that watch" pulling it from
his pocket, sixteen years ago for $23.
1t might be worth IS, suppose"
You had conversation with Mr..
Compton before you came into court,
hadn't your"
A chorus of objections from defend
ing counsel prevented an answer. An
innuendo against the witness was con-
tanned In the question and counsel OBJ
jected.
I'm disappointed in the witness and
treat all the same on the stand" re-
marked Mr.. Williams. Ibid you talk
about this stock?" he queried.
II did not" was the answer.
about the case?"
Eyes" ,'itTTr~
II talked regarding the evidence
which would be given by Ex-Governor
Markham, p. M. Green, Mr.. House and
others. The purport Of the conversation
was that their testimony would go to
show the value of the enterprise itself
You are man of ordinary recollec-
ton, aren't your"
mo, no, my memory is poor"
A STIMULATED MEMORY
Nothing further could be gotten from
| the witness and he was retired. A mo-
| ton to dismiss the case was then made
| by Attorney Meserve of defending coun-
| sci on the ground that no evidence had
| been presented to sustain the court in
the opinion that conviction could be
| obtained If the case went to trial.
The motion was denied and Mr. Hines
| was recalled and made witness for the
| defense. He was not quite so reticient
| as when previously on the stand and
| testified that Spilman had valued the
| Richardson contract at 81, 500, 900, and
other people, himself included, did not
| consider the amount excessive, If the
Pasadena people had backed the enter
| prise as was anticipated and the tun-
| mel had been driven. The DEVELOPED
water would be wosth $1,000 an inch.
Under cross-examination the witness
stated he didn't know of any Of the di-
rectors who had paid for their ten shares
| of stock. His ten he valued at $780,
and had given his services as secretary
in return. c E. Brooks, Major Truman
M. A. Sadley and Mr.. Spilman were On
the directorate.
HOW THE THING WAS DONE
Then ]. K. Warren took his seat on
the stand and gave his version of the
| stock transactions with Nichols. He
stated that he saw Spilman for the first
time in DOC" Green's office, when he
was introduced with Nichols. He heard
nothing said about $4,000 being on de-
| post in the bank, nor did he give his
check. Il took one of Green's receipt
| forms and on the back 1 wrote out a
thirty-day option" said the witness
but I gave no check or any sum OF
| money"
"Spllman had the charts and engi-
neers reports that showed the value of
the water to be developed, and he also
mentioned the names of Markham
Brooks and others as having expressed
their intention to back the enterprise.
l
fifteen minutes in all, and Nichols and
went by appointment to meet him. .
Under cross examination the witness
said that when Nichols made the re-
mark that he was 5000 short he offered
to lend him the money He had known
Nichols then about month, and both
of them had been investigating a min
ing property. Witness paid Judge
Fisher $25 to Investigate that property
1t was Nichols who first gained some in
formation regarding some water stock
but that was other than Spilman's
Witness told him he was not posted
on such stock, and later the Spilmar
water stock was mentioned. Witness
confessed that he had some money and
then Mr.. Williams wanted to know how
much he had.
do you. want to know how MUCK
money have in my pocket?" inquired
the witness.
The defense entered an objection thai
was sustained, but not before the wit
ness had added: II can say this, Mr.
Williams. can raise $4,000 or $50, OO(
n = necessary for = proposition. II yor
want TO know what I've got 60 down t.