Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-10

.,s., nv the committee from the Grand
.,.,rn Of Confederate Veterans, was high
iy sensational, and 1t promises to be even
more so to-day.
-1s fact was brought out early in the
,.~,esedings that the inquiry was aimed
.,,,,v at Hon. James y. stubbs. Of Glou-
..s-.r who has been chairman Of the
history Committee from it's formation, in
,.sf and was at the recent meeting here
elected Grand Commander. Two checks,
ON, for 500 and one for $50, which were
sr,wn october l6. 1894. by J. w. Womack,
81, favor of Mr. Stubbs. were produced in
,,f.srce. and while Colonel Stubbs en-
rr1tcally declared. before the checks
we're shown him, that the endorsements
on them were forged, he frankly con-
,sssed. after examining them carefully,
that the handwriting was very much like
IFS and that while he had no recollec-
,,1 of ever having received them, he
thought he must have gotten credit in
his bank for the money.
An adjournment was taken. after an
interesting session of three and a half
hours. until this morning at 10 o'clock,
I'm order that Colonel Stubbs might refresh
his memory and try and recall under
what circumstances the checks were given
20 him. II was said late last night that
tho Grand Commander would go on the
stand to-day and make full explanation
Of the matter about which his memory
vas not clear yesterday.
WHY COLONEL CUSsONS RESIGNED.
one interesting fact brought out yes
terday was that, as intimated in the Dis
match some weeks ago. Colonel John Gus
sons. after declining TO accept reelection
as Grand Commander, retired from the
History Committee because of an unwill-
ingness TO serve with certain members.
Colonel Cussons testified that he with
drew from the History Committee be-
cause he believed Colonel Stubs. one OF
his associates thereon, was in the employ
of the American Book Company, and
he would not affiliate with man who
occupied two such inconsistent positions.
captain Cussons said his reason for this
bslief was the fact that check drawn
a., favor of Colonel Stubs by an agent OF
the American Book Company had been
shown him. and Major Norman V. Ran
5olpb. who gave testimony before the
committee. produced as evidence the two
checks drawn by Mr.. Womack, a we'll
known agent Of the American Book Com
uarv. i'm favor Of J. n. Stubbs, and bear
ing the latter's endorsement. The checks
were deposited in the Planters National
Bank. Of this city. October 16. 1894.
COLONEL sTUBBS'S DENIAL
This documentary evidence had great
effect upon the committee as well as on
the large audience that had assembled
in Lee Camp Hall in expectation Of a
breezy session, but Colonel Stubbs, who
sat i'm a conspicuous part Of the hall and
listened attenuvely 10 all that was be-
ing said. appeared 10 be but little dis
turbed. He merely bided his time. and
when the opportunity was afforded him
10 60 on the stand and vindicate him
self. IL that was in his power, he ad-
dressed himself as much 10 the audience
as 10 the committee. and the moment
he took the stand denounced the checks
as f0rgeries. He'd a bomb exploded in
The han the CONSERVATION could not have
been greater. No one expected such an
utterance from his lips. and unfeigned
surprise was written on every counte-
nance.
Colonel Stubbs maintained his com
posure. and after waiting for a moment
for the full force Of his denunciation 10
sink into the minds Of his hearers, he
turned to Chairman Woods and asked
that he be handed the checks. They were
turned over 10 him, and then the situa-
ton changed. The Grand Commanders
face was a study as he read the checks,
and then turned them over carefully and
gazed 1t the endorsement on the back
Of them.
WAS NOT so POSITIVE.
When he next spoke he was not SO
positive as he had been in his previous
utterance lie told the committee that
IN listening TO the testimony concerning
The checks he had gathered the impress
sion tnat they bore a recent date, but
1pon ascertaming that they were dated
10 October, 1894, he was not prepared 10
say that they were forgeries. He ad-
m.tted that the endorsement on the back
Of the papers was very much like his
Signature, and finally said that the checks
might be genuine. but II they were ne
had no recollection of them, and couid
only say that he had never received
cent from the American Book Company
or from any publishing-house on account
Of bis connection with the Grand Camp.
lie further denied that he was in any
way connected with or employed by the
American Book Company or any similar
concern. or had ever received cent from
them In any way. ana made long state
ment 70 show his interest in southern
histories and the work he had done in
endeayoring 20 have Barnes's History
stricken from the list Of school-boolSs
in Virginia.
The committee endeavored 10 get Colo
uol Stubbs 10 testify conclusiveiy con-
ccrning the checks exhibited, but he con-
tlnued In his statement that he had no
recollection OF them. and finally. when
be expressed his willingness 10 do what
he could to revive any memory OF the
documents, the committee took recess
until this morning at 10 o'clock, in order
TO enable him 70 prosecute search for
evidence that would assist him IN giving
testimony.
he WILL EXPLAIN TO-DAY.