The herald., 1897-11-27

demanded to see the whole letter. Then
the truth came out and Mr.. Conrey was
put in possession Of the facts. He at
terward learned of the other attempts
at extortion, and at once set on foot an
inquiry that has resulted in the inves-
tigation. It was through himself and
Director Davis that all the facts have
been brought out. because they felt 1t
their duty to make public such matter.
SINISTER ALLUSIONS
Another attempt was made to induce
Phillips to tell whom he suspected, and
at last the witness said: There was q
question in my mind as to whether
Adams and Axtell were attempting to
bleed US on their own account or wheth-
er they were backed by sufficient num-
ber of members to carry their point"
Then followed other questions as to
exactly who were included in his sus-
picions and these he refused to answer.
Attorney Davis tried to make him tell
and failing began a severe arraignment
of the witness. when Judge Phillips
arose and said:
"The attempt that is being made here
by the attorneys for the defense is to so
intimidate witnesses that others will be
dITdlu 10 COIlle mere tIlo tcll Wudt tuty
| know"
The remark was loudly applauded by
| the crowd in the lobby, but Attorney
Davis insisted upon his question. The
witness refused to give testimony based
| upon mere suspicion or upon his own
personal opinion when the expression
Of such opinion might reflect upon pos
sibly innocent men. In the redirect ex-
animation Mr.. Gibbon made clear why
the witness had refused to answer Ques-
tions.
| After Prof. Phillips had been excused,
Mr.. Conrey moved that the next session
be held Monday evening, and after some
debate and the defeat of an amendment
| to hold a meeting tonight, this motion
prevailed.
AS it was then 9:45 o'clock there was
a wish on the part of some Of the attor-
neys to adjourn, but the members of the
board determined to go the full limit Of
time and continue the work until 10:30.
| Adams took advantage of the occasion
to make short speech. IIe said: Il
want this matter to go on until we get
through. object to delays. am some
what interested in this matter ard !
want a full investigation" 1t was de-
cided to proceed.
DAMNING TESTIMONY
Prof. Mark Keppel was then called
and sworn. He is the principal of the
Union avenue school and last year, at
the time he was approached, held SIM
liar position in the Harper street school.
His story Of how he was approached by
Axtell the several interviews he had
with him; the demand upon him for $120,
months salary; how he had been told
to see Adams and, seeing him, was told
to "see Axtell, as he had superior sources
of information his borrowing the
money from Pitman and ]. H. Francis,
and the other main points brought out
in his story. have all been published,
first in The Herald and again when his
affidavit was published.
Speaking of his having told Francis,
who is employed in the high school. of
the matter, witness stated that Francis
had advised him to tell the corruption
lists to go plumb to hades."
After describing four previous visits
upon Axtell, Keppel said: Il saw Axtell
in the basement Of the Spring street
school, and asked him If there was any
way to avoid paying the money. He in
formed me that the payment would have
to be made. I objected strongly, and
said to him, It's pretty hard deal you
are giving me-. He agreed with me, but
said it was necessary. then asked him,
Am I the only one who Is compelled to
pay for my job?' To which he replied,
oh, no; there are Others
His statement as to his having de-
manded a guarantee of his position If
he paid was then gone over. This has
also been published heretofore, but it
developed that after waiting in front Of
the Wilcox building for AXtell to return
with the guarantee the latter had sent
Mr.. Warren, the school plumber, to him,
stating that he must see him again.
He, too had told Prof. Foshay of the
matter, and that part Of his statement
is similar to that made by Prof Phil
; lips. He had not learned that Cooper
had given up his money until November
7th, and then he advised Cooper to take
the matter before the grand jury.
PITMAN'S CONNECTION
Brother" Pitman's connection with
the steal from Cooper came out in an
unexpected manner. Some time during
the present month Keppel met Pitman,
and in the course of conversation asked
the ex-preacher, ex-member Of the board
and ex-go-between why he had taken
Cooper's money. The reply was that he
had taken it with the hope of saving the
poor fellow portion of it. Asked what
he had done with the money, Pitman ad-
mitted to Keppel that he had paid 1t to
Axtell
!, Then came the most startling part of
the nights proceedings. Keppel came
down from past to present and related
the meeting with Axtell which fastened
the money taking upon Adams. He said :
ION November 10, this month. 1 saw
, Axtell at the school during recess. We
, had a long talk. He asked me first about
; church matters, for he and I are men,
, bers of the same congregation, and am
steward of the church. Yes, 1t is the
church formerly presided over by Pit
; man. We had been talking of this and
, other matters for a long time when the
) other subject came up. Axtell had heard
) that some of the principals had been be-
fore the grand jury, and seemed to be
greatly worried over the matter. He