The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-10-25

Tie trial Of Dan Williams, ex clark Of
fines OF the police court, charged with
| the emhezzle!nent of $4,000 OF funds in
trusted 10 his care. was begun before Judge
Bradley this morning IN criminal court No.
2. owing TO Williams popularity around
town, and the extraordinary features Of his
unusual interest is being paid TO the case.
When the trial began this morning, Judge
Bradley's courtroom was crowded, among
the auditors being TUany friends and ac-
u.Iaintances of the accused. Conspicuous
among those present were many OF the
attaches Of the police department and
court. Major Moore, Chief Clerk Richard
Sylvester Clerks Lum Harper. Joseph Potts,
william aa,tingly and Detective George
Eoyd, all witnesses in The case, occupied
.eats along front Iail before Judge Brad
ley.
The alleged embezzIement of Williams
extended over n period OF six months or a
year. M one in OF around the police court
ever suspected that honest DaC vii
Iiams. a. he was Familiarity called, hau
ever doctored tbs accounts Gatil one morn
ing Dan failed to make his appearance at
the court. Upon inquiry it was foand that
he had left for parts unknown. HIS books
were examined and a large discrepancy in
his books was found. Williams, however,
covered his tracks 50 skillfully that no clew
could be secured as to his Whereabouts.
The detectives were at loss To locate him.
Notices were sent TO all parts OF the coun
try notifying chiefs OF police of his crime,
and finally about d month after his disap-
pearanc. a telegram was received from the
st. Louis authorities saying that he had
been captpred. Detective George Boyd
was immediately delegated by Major Moore
10 bring him back.
Williams is a tall, lank man with long
arms and legs, narrow shoulders, and
small, well ped head covered with
sparse growth of black hair. His face is
covered with a luyuriant growth OF dark
brown Burnside whiskers and heavy mus
tache. His eyes are small and blue, well
set in his head and close together. Alto
gether, Williams face is that OF an intelli-
gent AMI plea SAINT man. His friends have
always found him to be the best OF
fellows.
During the trial he sat beside his counsel,
aying the closest attention to the pro-
ceedings.
Mt. Tracy l.. JeffoTds appeared for
Williams, While Dist riot Attorney Davis and
his assistant Mr.. Baker, prosecuted.
In opening the case Mr.. Baker reviewed
the history of the alleged emhezzleRent,
md said that the police court records would
,e produced, when would concluivelyI
that Williams was guilty.
The first WITH ess called was Major
Moore.
That the case is to he hotly contested
on on beth sides W as evidenced At the very
outset. One of the first questions asked
Ma or Moore was one seeking to ascertain
who had detailed Williams for duty at the
police court. MIR. Jeffords objected to the
question and proceeded to argue against it
on a tecbnicaiity. The argument aroused
District Attorney Davis ire.
Now your honor he said, arising to
his feet, IF my brother is going to bt so
exacting In his technicalties, why we might
as well bring the District Commissioners,
their records and all their books over here
and have some of these points settled.
These are unimportant. and hope the at
torney for the defense will have little
for that fact
Major Moore testified that in August,
1 1876, the police department discovered
;hortage in Williams accounts. Williams
iad then disappeared. He had not seen
tie defendant again until Williams had been
brought back from 81. Louis.
Lum Harper, clerk in the polio court, was
lext call ii. He testified that he had been
employed at the court for thirteen years.
n ans wer TO "A question Mt. Harper ex
liained that Williams had received tie fines
laposed by the court. had entered them
pm has books and rec ,pted for them. lie |
rad then mad. report and witness would |
certify to- the fines.
At the request Of the district attorney. |
iir. Harper produced the records OF the |
;olice court for May 4, 1896. Mr.. Harper |
proceeded to read off large number OF |
-eceipts which Williams had made for fines |
md Collateral collected. Fine after fine
yas read As Mr.. Harper proceeded and |
nd pile of receipts before him fully d foot
Ugh Judge Bradley smiled. The day pre-.
.eding May 4, must have been a national
oiidav, Judging fro,n q +, records of the
Durt," lie remarked.
1t was surely i.a otter day," re-