The herald., 1897-12-11
HE CORROBORATED AXTELL

Axtell sent the note to Webb asking him
to attend to the notes which Frank Saw
age held at once. Bernard testified that
some time in November, he could not re-
member the exact date, Axtell had sent
him with note to Webb He met Webb
on Spring street, near Third, and gave
him the note, which Webb at once read.
Webb then said to Bernard: "Tell AK
tell that 1t Is all right; I'll fix 1t today"
This witness was not cross-examlned.
AxTELL'S ASSISTANT
c. A. Charlton, assistant superIntend-
ent of buildings and janitors. Axtell's
assistant, then took the stand at the re-
quest Of the prosecution. His appear
ance was q surprise even to the defense,
as no previous announcement Of the In
tention to call him had been made. Webb
look worried as Charlton took the stand
and his color perceptibly changed. Charl-
toms testimony was that some time in
November, he did not remember what
day, he had been sent by Axtell from
the Spring-street school to Webb's store
with very urgent message. He was
told to tell Webb that Axtell wanted to
see him at once, and was urged to i'm
press upon Webb the Importance Of an
immediate interview. He found Webb at
his store, and upon delivering the mes
sage, Webb agreed to accompany him
back to the school. Arriving there they
went into the office, where Axtell was,
and the latter told Charlton to step out
as he desired to talk with Mr.. Webb
privately. Charlton left and stated that
he did not know how long Webb re-
mained there with Axtell. and, Of course,
was unable to state what'the subject of
their conversation was.
During the cross-examination the de-
fense attempted to prove that this inter-
view occurred on the same day that AK
tel! had gone before the grand jury.
Their purpose was to prove, If possible,
that under the circumstances no such
meeing could have been held as Axell
and Adams stated was held, In which an
agreement was made as to what Axtell
should testify. In this they failed. for
the witness did not remember on what
day he had delivered the message. 1t
was developed that at the time Of send
ing the message Axtell appeared to be
greatly worried about something.
CORROBORATIvE EVIDENCE
Mr.. Gibbon then offered to place in evil
dence in the case the transcript of the
evidence Of Prof. Bonebrake in the trial
of Axtell. in which he had said that he
had seen Webb and had secured prom
Use of his support or reelection. This
was really favorable to Webb, but Mr..
Gibbon stated that 1t was his purpose to
bring into the case all the evidence pos
sible whether favorable or unfavorable.
Even to this there was objection by the
defense, but they finally admitted the
evidence.
The sworn statement Of Brother"
Pitman was offered In evidence In the
case in the same manner, but there was
some doubt for a time as to whether It
would be admitted. Attorney Oliver
agreed to admit that Pitman had sworn
to the statement but would not agree to
the admission that Pitman would swear
to the same statement II he were pres
ent now. I'D like to get just about one
cross-examination," said Attorney
Meserve about Pitman.
Mr.. Meserve stated that he had called
upon Attorney Frank Davis who had
represented Axtell before the latter's
confession and had endeavored to secure
his attendance as witness. Mr.. Davis
refused to come, however, saying that
he regarded the confidence between him
self and client as too sacred to betray
even II that client had publicly released
him from all, responsibility and had re-
quested him to appear. He did not
think It q thing that any attorney should
do and pointed to the fact that none of
the attorneys In the case at present
would do so under similar circumstances.
KEPPEL'S STATEMENTS
Some time yesterday 1t had come to
the ears Of the defendants attorneys
that Prof. Keppel while en- route to his
home on street car the night before had
stated to Prof. Phillips that he was glad
his cross-examination had ended when
1t did as he might have told something
that would break down the prosecution.
This was evidently the tale of some per-
son who had overheard the conversation
or portion Of 1t and had reported 1t to
the attorneys, but IL they hoped to make
capital out Of it they were disappointed,
for Keppel denied that he had ever made
use of such an expression and stated
that he knew nothing that would break
down the prosecution. He appeared
soon after the statement about Attorney
Davis had been made and was at once
called to the stand and asked about this
matter and entered the denial as stated.
He was then asked II he had ever heard
OF Axtells receiving money from any
other persons besides Cooper and an
swered that he had and then related;
"A short time after Axtell came to nv
school had conversation with Webb
in which he stated that he believed IL
Pitman got any money he had placed
1t down in his pocket and kept 1t there.
told him believed he had passed 1t
along. The remark set me to thinking,
and came to the conclusion that there
was an attempt to saddle the matter on
Pitman. He and were warm friends.
and decided would go down to his
house and tell him of the matter. did
so, and Pitman told me that Axtell had
been there and had told his (Pitman's)
wife that he (AxtelD had received money
from two persons. understood that one
of these was Cooper, but Axtell had not
told Mrs. Pitman who the other person
was.
Later Mr.. Francis, who Is employed
in the high school, came to me and asked
If that conversation between Mrs. Pit
man and Axtell was mentioned to me,
told him that 1t had been mentioned,
and he said Mrs. Pitman was greatly
worried, for she did not want her name
to appear in connection with the mat
ter. He asked me to keep the matter