The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-03-03

The trial OF the Howell case was re-
sumed In the circdit court yesterday
morning, the state continuing It's tcstt
mony, The court room VAS nllcd with
interested spectators. the trial listing NJ
TO a late hour In the afternoon. when tht
case was submitted to the sorry without
argument
The state offered In evidence sum-
mary. prepared by the experts. showing
the amount OF shortages to the county
In the accounts % eN.Tr2asJrCr n. /.
Ward from time to time, as figured out
by the experts. and called T. W. tarker
one OF the experts. as a witness to prove
certain facts. but on objection OF the de-
fense. the statement was ruled olt and
Mr.. Parker was excused.
Hon. c. W. fulton was then recalled,
and stated that in conver a Ion hr had
with Howell. after the execution OF the
mortgage. Howell had stated that Ward
had been using county funds ever since
his first election anl that he further
stated that he then knew Ward had used
county funds in the business OF the hrm
OF Howell & Ward.
County Clerk puablr was recalled, and
when asked by ;he district attorncy re-
garding an item which aJpeJred on tho
deposit book OF the arm at the Astoria
Savings Bank. showing an entry OF "a
cash deposit Of over SHo0 on certain day
in April. 1897. as to whether be had turned
over 10 the county treasurer ut that time
any amount ~ money lpproNlmating that
sum. answered that ne had not.
sheriff Hare was uut on The stand 0ud
IN reply to the same QUESTION PUT To Mr.
Dunbar in regard to turning over funds.
on that particular day. 10 the treasurer.
made practically the same reply as did the
county clerk.
County Judge Gray was then ic-cN1m-
ined as 10 some Of the statements made
by him on the day before. but nothing
new was eliclted.
Here the state rested.
on the reassembling of court. after
lunch. the defense com noncsd t1king It's
The first witness placed on
the stand was wellington q. Howell the
at bar. who stated that he was
the defendant jointly indicted with Ben
jamin l. Ward. ex-county treasurer. for
what is claimed to be defllcaton OF
public moneys.
In reply TO interrogatorles. Howell said
In part: Il have lived in this state abou,
e years. Have been In the mercantile
business. My partner in Astoria was B
L. Ward. Was associated with him or
years. Went into partnership with him
in June or July. 1880 or 1891. | was in bust
ness prior to going In with Ward"
''You are charged, Mr.. Howell. with aid.
ing and abetting b. l.. Ward In converting
rlatsop county funds: did you ever. at
any time, use any county money your.
self. or permit any one else to get any
county money!"
mo. sir"
II was bookkeeper for the firm ana
Kept the county 'reasu-er's books the
greater part Of the time. They were cor
'ectly kept"
Did you ever undertake IN any kind
II a way to falslfy those books 50 that
my one might be deceived as to the con-
lition Of the county's 1ffalrs?"
NO. sir"
Did you ever pay out any moneys. as
leputy, for Mr.. Ward, by check or other
yise?"
Yes, sir"
did you ever pay out any money other
han for county purposes?'
mo, sir; there are corresponding vouch- !
rs for every check issued
The witness did not recollact any par
icular conversation with Judge Gray as
0 county matters; said there had been
title trouble between him and the Judge. /
'ut that he had probably not been for |
,iyen. Never made any statement to him |
II the county commissioners about county I
business that was not true.
How much money did you advance to |
he firm Of Howell & Ward, and at what |
imes?"
Something over $4,000, At the begin
ling Of our business / put in s2250 Of my |
wn money. In the latter part OF 1893. ! |
hink, ] advanced another 5000, which / |
btained from my people. In the latter ,
art Of 1894 I got 5000 from my mother |
n-law, which ] advanced and put In the |
usiness. At the time bought the NJ. c. /
'rosby stock in March. 1897. got EOlO |
think It was in May, 1897, got 5000 more
making about $4,000.
How much money was advanced by
yard?"
Cant say, exactly; he advanced a lit
le from time to time; about 500 at one
Ime and 800 at another, but never any
hing to correspond with what ! put In
q March at the time the Crosby stock was
ought"
The defendant further testified that the
ounty funds were kept In the various
anks, but that Ward said he had other
Ortions in other places which he could
ct on moments notice. Il learned that
Yard was short In his accounts just after
urchasing the Crosby stock; employed an
xpert bookkeeper to get our accounts
! shape and asked Ward to state his
hare Of money in the business and re-
lace the amount / had advanced. He
1en told me that he was short In his ac-
cunts with the county, and could not
ct money he expected. His folks had
Dme property In Coos bay and England
-hich they were trying to sell and would
I him have the money. They also, his
ither and Mr. WinRate tripd IA borroyy