Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-03-29
AN OPEN CHALLENGE
HON. }. =. HARRIS CREATED A STIR
IN THE COURT ROOM.
Judge wynne, on the Part of nj.
Client Accepted the Challenge
With Interesting EesuIt1.

The examining trial of Chiffon Mon
roe and j. NJ. Wylie for attempt TO
commit the crime OF arson, closed late
yesterday afternoon, and resulted In
bail being allowed in the sum OF 81 800
each.
The evidence, as brought out on the
part or the prosecution, was in sub
stance that insurance had been taken
out on 10000 cigars. alleged to be
worth $4,000 that they were shipped
10 Fort Worth and stored in the build
ing on Houston street formerly occu-
pied by Want and that the Gre occur
red on the night OF the 18th instant.
Witnesses We're introduced, who testi-
lied that the cigars We're of very !ife-
rior quality, and could not have been
worth more than IS or $40 per thous-
and. Evidence was introduced to show
the peculiar manner in which the eli.
CARS We're arranged, the hummer In
which the arrangements for opening
the stock was carried on. and the
closdk- doors and shaded windows. A
can of gasoline. which was introduced
as evidence. was sworn to have been
found in the building
The defense und srtook to establish
that the gasoline, which was in the
room, had partially evaporated and
may have been ignited by some one
peerlng in the room through IA broken
window with a lighted match. Chiffon
Monroe had his stenographer Intro
duced. who testified that he was In
Dallas until D o'clock, and had boon
debating letters during the day. before
the fire occurred at night. Another
witness named Garrett testified that
he slept with the defendant, Monroe,
on the night or the fire.
The cigars were alleged to have been
bought from a man named Lane In
New orleans. for which certain lands
and vendors liens notes were given
In exchange. The evidence was closed
taken for dinner
The argument by counsel was begun
Mt 2 o'clock The first speech was on
the part or the prosecution, by j, W
Burney, followed by Judge Wynne and
Geo. w. Gordon of Dallas, on the part
OF the defense. These speeches were
ably and forcibly presented.
But the event Of the trial occurred
during the closing argument by Hon.
Jno. T.. Harris OF Dallas. WITH quiet
and unassuming manner he began,
gradually growing more In earnest.
He arraigncd the defendant In a most
severe and eaustic manner, and assert
ed that the effort to burn the building
and swindle the insurance companies
was one OF the most carefully concoct-
ed plots in the annals OF crime. He
made a challenge to the defense that
IL they would establish the fact that
certain deeds to lands and the vendors
lien notes referred TO Were valid and
given in exchange for $4,000 worth OF
cigars, he would give up the case.
Judge Wynne, counsel for Monroe
said he would accept the challenge.
MIR. Harris asked in whose names these
deeds were made. Judge Wynne re-
sponded he did not know. Mr.. Harris
said II such deeds were produced he
would convict the defendants Of forge
nv. and send them to the penitcntlary.
Continuing. he went further
'If the defendants In this case VIII
establish the fact that such whole
sale cigar dealer as Lane ON Royal
street In New Orleans exists, VIII
throw up this prosecution"
Silence followed, when he said nc
would defy tue defendants to assert in
omen court and allow II to be used
against them In the prosecution that
such a man as Lane did exist as re-
ferred to.
Continuing for about 30 minutes, be
closed his argument and submitted his
case.
After some minutes the Judge decided
10 render his decision before adjourn
ing court. and fixed the bonds OF the
DEFENDANTS at 81, SOC each.