Evening star., 1898-06-04
BLACKBURN SWORN
Former Senator From Kentucky Wit
ness in Canty Trial.
TELLS OF ACQUAINTANCE WITH RYE
Edward AIstead, Young Stock
broker, Returns Defiant Answers.
OTHER EVIDENCE GIVEN

Former Senator Joe" Blackburn of Ken.
lucky was witness in the Canty trial to-
day. The distinguished Kentuckian very
briefly told of his acquaintance with Rye
and that, seeing him on the morning OF
the shooting, he had not observed any,
thing extraordinary in his manner or de-
meanor.
Edward Alstead, a young broker, former
| ly employed by Canty, proved a most stub
| born witness when the defense tried to
cross-examine him, and returned defiant
answers, several times positively refusing
to reply to questions. The jury were not
called until after Alstead had been heard,
as there was doubt in Justice Coles mind
as to the admissibility of his evidence
Otherwise the trial was devoid of sensa-
tional or unusual Incidents and the attend
ance was not so large as upon yesterday.
Witness Becomes Defiant.
Edward Alstead was the first witness. He
resides in Philadelphia, but was here until
October last. He was employed by Canty
until Mr.. Van Sender came into the firm.
He was in Washington, he said, the Satur-
day following the homicide and saw Mr..
Pistol, the tailor, at his place on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. Witness was told by Pistol
that the morning of the shooting John Moy-
Ian and two others had called on him and
wanted to borrow "a pistol that would
shoot true" The witness said Pistol de-
Scribed one of the other men and said he
believed he was Canty.
During the rigid cross-examination Of the
witness Canty sat bolt Upright, with his
eyes fixed. hardly winking, on the face of
the witness. 1t was brought out by Mr..
Worthington that Alstead left Canty's en-
ploy because of a quarrel following a mis-
take with regard to ''confiicting' order
from customer who telephoned it in. Re-
ha ff onfyY md on
Sender on the charge of embezzement fol-
lowing the firms failure, Mr.. Worthington
asked:
rs it not fact that you were instru-
mental in getting evidence for the prosecu-
tion in that case and did you not do all
you could to prevent it from being nolle
prossed?"
II did," frankly replied the witness.
The witness was questioned for the pur-
pose of showing that he had ill-feeling
toward Canty and that he had availed him
self of every opportunity to manifest it.
Alstead did not conceal the fact that he has
no affection for the defendant. Several
times he refused to answer questions put
to him and was defiant in his attitude
toward Mr.. Worthington.
MIR. Alstead, did you not tell Mr.. Frank
Brown last night that you were brought
here under arrest, and that you did not
know what for?
Il did," said the witness, a smile break
ing over his face
why did you do that?'
Because it was none of his business If
he wanted to know the truth he had to find
out"
Doesn't Know His Fathers Name.
The witness was then asked who he had
called on while here on that Saturday.
He said his father.
What is your fathers name?" asked
Mr.. Worthington.
Il don't know calmly replied Alstead.
y,
ers name?'
II decline to answer"
why do you decline to answer?''
Because ! don't think it has anything
to do with this case.
Your honor appealed Mr.. Worthlng
ton. II would like you to require the wit
ness to answer"
Alstead turned with a half-defiant smile
toward Justice Cole. who, looking straight
ahead at counsel, replied:
II dent think" slowly and thoughtfully
1t came, that III require this witness to
tell anything he does not care to tell"
Mr.. Worthington sat down abruptly and
angrily. Then he returned to the cross fire
with savage energy.
Weren't you here all of yesterday out
side the court room, and did you not have
a long talk with MIR. Pistol in the corridor
back of this court?' he asked.
II did,
What were you talking about?"
"Oh, all sorts of things"
"Why don't you tell? Anything discred-
itable?"
Il dent TELL" said Alstead, looking Mr..
Worthington squarely in the eye, because
it's my business what l do
To say that Alstead created a small SEN
sation in the court room by his sharp and
| negative answers is stating it very mildly.
The witness even astonished the counsel
for the defense who, far, had had no
difficulty in extracting all they desired to
know from the most unwilling witnesses
Mr. Davis hack in his chair cd
wien he saw that his witness was not only
bland, but eel-like
Alstead could not remember whether or
not others were present when he talked
with Pistol, although later 1t was develop
ed that perhaps Pistols partner Dobbins,
had been present. Alstead said he had
concluded that Canty must have been the
man described by Pistol as one of the two
who accompanied Moylan.
Pistol on the Stand.
The jury having been brought in for the
first time during the session, the tailor
Frank N. Pistol. was called to the stand.
did you see Canty on the morning OF
the s1looting?' asked Mr.. Davis.
Not in my store''
did you see him at alp
Not that I remember"
Pistol then testified that Moylan had
| called at his store that morning. He was
| alone. He came through the back way
F., Pistols partner. Dobbins, went out into the
| yard with Moylan. He did not hear what
| passed between them.
| Ibid Mr.. Moylan tell you his reason fol
| callng?"
HE did not
He further testified that Dobbins told him
| what Moylan had said with regard to
| his visit. He was not permitted by counsel
| to say what he had been told. He had
| spoken to several persons about the mat
| ter and stated to them what Moylan had
| said:
| Have you had any talk with Mr.. Canty
or any of defendants counsel about the
| matter?" asked Mr.. Worthington.
| Il have not"
Call Mr.. Dobbins,' said Mr.. Davis, and
| Pistol left the stand.
Robert NJ. Dobbins, the partner of Pistol
| testified that he knows John Moylan.
| Il object TO any further testimony about
| Mr.. John Moylan,'' cried Mr.. Worthington,
] unless ii is proposed to connect him with
| the defendant. Canty, and, even SO, it may
| then be objected that such evidence should
\ have been in chief
| John MOylan Testifies.
L