The times., 1897-10-25

Tie trial Of Dan Williams, ex clark of
fines of the police COURT charged with
the embezzIement 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
| alleged theft and subsequent capture,
unusual interest is being paid to the case.
When the trial began this morning, Judge
Bradley's courtroom was crowded, among
The auditors being many friends and ac-
quaintances 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 Hatlingly and Detective George
Boyd, all witnesses in the case, occupied
eats along front rail before Judge Brad
ley.
The alleged embezzement of Williams
extended over period of six months or
year. M one in OF around the police court
ever suspected that honest DaE WI
Iiams. as lie was faniliarly called, hau
ever tOGLBftQ Ills dIEOuHtS uultl one IuOi II
ing Dan failed to make his appearance at
the court Upon inquiry il was foand that
ne had left for parts unknown His books
were examined aud 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 10 locate him.
Notices were sent to all parts OF the coun-
and finally about month after his disap-
pearanc. telegram was received from the
st. Louis authorities saying that he had
been captprea. Detective George Boyd
was Immediately delegated by Major Moore
TO bring him back.
Williams is a tall, lank man with long
arms and legs, narrow shoulders, and a
small, welI-shaped head covered with a
sparse growth Of black hair. His face is
covered with a luxuriant growth OF dark
brown Burnside whiskers and a 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 and pleasant man. His friends have
always found him to be the best of
fellows.
During the trial he sat beside his counsel,
pd AilR tllG ClOStst diIFIllOu 10 lHe pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Tracy l.. Jeffords appeared for
Williams, while District Attorney Davis and
his assistant, Mr.. Baker, prosecuted.
Ia opening the case Mr. Baker reviewed
the history of the alleged emhezzlenent,
md said that the poiicecourt records would
re prodncel, Whicn would conclusively rove
that Williams was guilty.
Fs.l,
Moore.
That the case is to be hotly contested
one on bCth sides 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 Mr. Jeffords objected to the
question and proceeded to argue against it
on a technicaiity. The argument aroused
District Attorney Davis ire.
Now, your honor" he said, arising to
his feet, II my brother is going to be so
eXactinG in his technicalities, why we might
as Wen 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 a T.
torney for the defense VIII have a little
consideration for that fact
MAYOR Moore testified tflat IN august,
i296, thc police department discove red Il
;hortage in Williams accounts Williams
iad then disappeared He had not seen
he defendant again until Williams had been
brought back from ST. Louis
Lum Harper, clerk in the polica court, was
leXt calltl He testified that he had been
employed at the court for thirteen years
n answer to Il question Mr.. Harper ex-
,lained that Williams had received tile fines
nposed by the court, had entered them
pan his books and recsipted for them. He
lad then mad report and witness would
certify to the fines.
At the request Of the district attorney.
lir. Harper produced the records of the
5olioe court for May A., 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
al pie Of receipts before him fully h foot |
Ugh Judge Bradley smiled. The day pre-
edng May 4. must have been a national |
olidav, Judging from - records of the |
Durt,' lie remarked.
IL was surely fls .ester dag re-