New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04
RUSSELL BEGINS HIS DEFENCE
SEVERAL, SURPRISES IN THE TRIAL OF
THE ALLEGED BLACKMA1LER
YESTERDAY.
THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE WHICH. 1T is AL
LEGGED. WAS USED TO EXToRT MONEY.

THG NEWSPAPER ARTICLE Which, II 10 MI
LEGGED. WAS USED TO ExroRT MONEY.
READ IN COURT.
In the course OF the trial of Edward j. Russell
alias Edward Meredith, in the County Court yes
terday charged with attempting to blackmah ex-
Corporation Counsel Almet F. jerks the much
talked-of article on which the alleged attempted
blackmail was founded read. 1t proved 10 be
not an attack on Mr. Jenks's character but on that
OF his former wife and contain what purported
TO be an exposure OF Mr. Jenks's domestic affairs
Mr. jerks himself was the first witness called. He
described his interview with Russell. at when Ed
ward NJ Grout was present on February T. He told
how Russell alleged TO represent the Associated
Press and said that he knew the inside facts OF
the divorce obtained by Mrs jerks. the daughter OF
Bishop Lttlejohn; that Mrs jerks had suborned
false witnesses and that after Mr.. jerks had over
thrown the plot against him he permitted his wife
TO obtain divorce in another State and on other
grounds He identified letter from Russell in
which the writer confessed that he did not represent
the Associated Press. on February he received
message from Russell asking for an interview. and
Il was agreed that they should meet at Jenkss Office
two days later.
The two men met accordingly at $50 p m. Rus
sell showed jerks the story he had written, and the
latter said that no could how it would reflect
on him After considerable talk Mr. jerks asked
Russell how he could prevent publication of the
story Russell named 5000 as his price. and MT
jerks protested saying that he could not AFFORD to
pay so much The subject was debated Tor some
time. and jerks finally agreed TO give $500 and
drew a check for the amount. Meanwhile he had
opened the door leading 20 the adjoining room.
This aroused Russels suspicious, and he asked II
he could look in there.
Rats. Mr. Russell" said Mr. jerks contemptu-
ously and Russell. apparently reassured said; oh
his hat and coat struck the table violently, and
exclaimed: This is d outTagem ne repe2IGd
the passageway. encountered Detectives Reynolds
and Kelly. Reynolds picked up the check, whlch
Mr. Backus then read the story 1t told how Mrs;
jerks. In order 10 secure a divorce bad su9orned
he testimony of q woman named Sarah jacobs
and a man named John Donnelly. The story re-
Dstrct-Attorney Riigway. and how the Jacobs
woman had then broken down and also confessed
Each of the br5ed witnesses was to receive $500.
The article closed with an account of how jerks
had confronted his wife with the proof or he,
allowed her TO obtain divorce in Rhode Island.
Russell cross-examined Mr.. jerks for some time.
In the main the examination was unproductive, but
Russell did succeed in bringing out one admission
Referring 10 the part Of the article 1h. in winch y,
obtained confession from her. russell asked IL u
1T was a base falsehood," said Mr.. jerks. 1T
my brother. Paul +. jerks: who saw her ana
heard her confession in the once OF Distrlc'-A'-
This was tho first hint that there were any true
statements in the story and II created shsh'
Mr. speiro opened for the defence In brief REF
contention that Russell was newspaper man t ana
engaged in legitimate business He called Alfred
+. Sanders, newspaper man, as an expert witness
TO testify TO the custom Of the newspaper pro-
fesson. Ii evident that he intended TO show
that Russell had merely submitted the story 10
jerks for verifcatton, in accordance with news.
paper custom. This was the prisoners s,ronges;
point. but 1t failed utterly Judge liurd ruled
question after question out Of order. and Mr.
Sanders did not have chance to answer a single
question. .
isn't there any way IN which ! prove that
am in a legitimate business pleaded Russell.
and there was pathetic tone in his voice. The
Judge gave him satisfaction, and Sanders
stepped down without testifying. The exclusion
OF this evidence heavy blow TO the de-
fierce for they had made great preparations, and
had subpoenaed the city editors of several New
York newspapers expert witnesses.
Drs Hiram Barber, Henry f. Allison and Charles
W. Pilgrim called and testified that they had
decided Russell TO be insane In 1891 and 1898. At
this point Russell created sensation by saying
that ne was not insane s'w, and did not intend 10
prove insanity
why are you calling these witnesses them
asked Judge Hurd.
II want TO show" said Russell chat 7 was sent
10 the insane asylum by the testimony OF eminent
men who perjured themselves and that # they
perjured themselves 1t is not impossible that Mr..
jerks has done the same thing
The went over until this morning