Evening star., 1898-05-23
Testimony in Behalf Of Dennis Ganty,
Charged With Murder.
WITNESSES TELL Of RYE'S ABUSE
Story Of the Quarrel Previous to
the Shooting.
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIAL

| SdHtS, cHdfSeu Will lile murder Oh George
NJ. Rye. March 10 last, at the corner of
14th and F streets, began in Criminal Court
No. /. before Judge Cole. at 1920 o'clock
| this morning. There was a larger crowd
present within the court rail than on any
day since the opening
Mr. Worthington asked If anything had
| been heard of Lester Russell, the witness
who went to Portland, Oregon Mr. Davis
| said the police authorities had been unable
to find Russell, but he would have a tele-
| gram sent to the Portland authorities to
| watch for Russell.
| Major Albert Akers, whose business place
| is 1893 F street, and who resides at the
Colonial Hotel. was the first witness called
by Mr.: Davis. Before he began his testi-
| mony Mr.. Worthington asked for the recall
| of Officer Riley and James E. Frye the
| colored bootblack.
Major Akers' Testimony,
| Being sworn, Major Akers testified to be-
| ing on the steps of 1888 F street at the time
| Of the shooting. He was talking with
friend, when he heard pistol shot, fol-
| lowed by two or three other shots in quick
| succession. He then saw man in the
street. in front of the Wyatt building, act
| ing in a peculiar manner. The man went
| down on his right hand and fell Witness
| said to his friend, THAT man has been
| shot" Witness saw Canty en- the corner
| near the lamp post, and when he saw Rye
| go down the latter was about one-third of
the way across the street. He sank down
| gradually.
| Cross-eXaminod by Mr.. Wilson, witness
| said he had heard from Judge McCorry of
| the alteration between Rye and Canty
the day before the shooting but Vas not
present when 1t occurred.
David NJ Ross did not answer when
| called so his testimony given at the cor
oner's inquest was read, at Mr.. Worthing-
l 30
| the statement was given at the inquest.
but 1T was not the statement given in the
district attorneys office.
"Given under oath?' inquired Judge Cole.
"Yes, SIR responded Mr. Davis.
And in the presence of the prisoner"
| continued the judge.
Yes, sir
| And in the presence of the prisoners at
| torney," interjected Mr.. Worthington.
Mr.. Ross statements read by Mr. Davis
were as to seeing the body of Rye lying
| on the concrete about fifteen feet from the
| curb at the Wyatt building corner and
Canty being pointed out to him as the man
| who did the shooting.
When the reading was concluded Mr.
Davis asked about the articles produced in
| the trial being regarded as evidence He
agreed to all being offered except the knife.
He, however, did not object when Mr..
Wcrthington offered the weapon in evil
dence Judge Cole having stated that any
article brought to the attention of the jury
ingS.
Mr. Davis therefore announced that the
testimony in chiefdwas concluded, stating
that he would reserve the right of calling
witnesses in rebuttal.
The Defense Opens.
The first witness called for the defense
was William D. Klausman, a stock broker
in the Corcorann building. He had known
the defendant a year and a half and knew
.AIeOrge Rive Had two with
Rye regarding Canty. He met Rye in Jan
uary at Chamberlin's Hotel. The subject
of recent failures of stock brokers was
brought up as a topic. =.
Owing to the Importance of the question
of admitting Mr. Klausman's testimony of
the threats made by Rye against Canty in
January, although the threats had not been
communicated to Canty, to which Mr.. Da-
Wis objected, volumes of authorities We're
sent for, Mr.. klausman being allowed to
stand aside meantime.
DIR. Ritchie Sworn.
DR.. L. w. Richie was then called. He
did not know either Canty or Rye. March
IA, about noon, witness in his buggy
on the north side of + street in front of
the Adams building, when his attention was
called by the violent language of Rye to-
ward Canty. Rye called Canty a id thief
and ID blackguard, and threatened to
expose him in every way. Canty was per-
fectly calm and seemed to be trying to
pacify Rye. The latter's manner was very
violent and demonstrative, and he shook
his finger in Canty's face. The difference
in the size of the men was so great that
witness remarked upon the forbearance of
the larger man, Canty.
Ut Rltchle was not cross-eXamined
A Previous Quarrel.
Daniel w. Cronin of the United States
geological survey. next sworn knew Canty
py sight. The survey building is opposite
No. 1881 f street. March IA a fellow clerk
OF witness, who was with him in their room
in the third story Of the survey building,
said there was going TO be a fight across
the street. Witness looked out the window
and saw Rye gesticulatng wildly and shak-
ing his finger under Cantys nose. Canty
was evidently trying to pacify him. Canty
lIle.i went into ths hall of 1881 F street and
rye walked east oa f street about twenty
Ieet talked eXcitedly to several people and
then went on toward Losekam's.
Henry Z. Polkinhorn of 2432 PENNSYLVANIA
avenue saw Canty and Rye the day before
,he shooting On F street. Witness was
looking to see the meridian ball drop and
then went across to the north side of F
street. Canty was standing with Rye in
front Of him with lis fist under Canty's
rose Witness heard Rye abusing Canty
While he had his hand in his face. Rye
seemed very excited. Canty was very quiet
ana very cool, and went into the building.
DID you see anything in Rye's hand?,
he asked
Witness saw som thing like small white
article in Ryes nand. 1t might have been
small white-handled knife piece of
paper. When the parties separated Canty
quietly Went into sthe building.
Mr.. Worthinst4n having asked witness
how. how canty.s mahner impressed him Mr..
Judge Cole, after hearing the arguments,
decided that the suppression made upon the
witness by Canty;sr actions We're admissible.
Witness Polkinlorn then said Canty was
peaceful and quiet and reserved in his man
ner Didn't see Canty make any motion
except to get outlsef R5e's way.
Further examined, witness stated that he
saw George Rye In front of Gurley & Bar
ross on March 15 the day of the shooting,
a few minutes before Il o'clock. Rye was
in close conversation with man he under
stood to be Col. Ayres, or Col. Akers. Six
or eight minutes afterward witness heard
the shots. He was then at Burdettes.
Cross-examinedptby iMr Davis, witness
said said he couldn't tell what it was he
saw in Rye's hand. i f4e was certain the
article was not, pair Of eyeglasses.
Nothing material developed in the cross
examination Mr. Davis however, directing