The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-05
Z'U!IK'E COOPER
ON TRIAL,
For Conspiracy to Loot
DOyer's Bank.
Mr.. RICHARDSON EXAMINED
He Tells of the COlOnel's
Connection With De-
faulter Boggs.
Mr.. RICHARDSON EXAMINED

At 10 10 O'Clock this morning Colonel
Ezekiel L. Cooper walked into the United
States Court to answer tho charge of con-
spirncy in the lUoting of the First Nation.
oil Bank at Dover. He was accompanied
by his Counsel, Senator George Gray and
Levi G. Bird. About twenty Witne ,ses oc.
cupied seats inside the railing. There was
large number of the legal profession in
attendance. At tho court stenographer's
table sat a young gentleman, d. Tooey
Senator Blackburn's private secretary,
VINO came to report tho case for Senator
kenney.
When District Attorney Vandegrift en-.
tered the court room at 16 o'clock he
held conference with the defendants
counsel.
All the jurors summoned were in at
tendance. The following jurors were
drawn: Charles Cannon, Richard T. CAM,
Jr, John Fl. Hoffecker. Joseph e Hol.
land, Jacob S. Graham Benjamin f. Gray,
Thomas Naudain, colored. Frank H. Diehl,
William A. Jester, bernard Duross.
The defense challenged Mr.. Hoffecker
and William H. Blake took his place. Mr..
Nandegrift challenged him Harry A.
Dennison was next called.
The counsel for the defense with their
client and Peter L. Cooper and John Biggs
Withdrew and held conference. Charles
II, Duboll was challenged by the defense
and A. II. Padborg took his place Mr..
Vandegrlft challenged him and Samuel
A Mcdaniel was called. The defense
challenged Naudain and Nelson j. Pier
son took his place. Mr.. Vandegrift chal-
longed Cannon, and Isaac Il. Parker took
tho chair of foreman of the jury. But
ltlchard L. Cam was made foreman of tho
jury rs Parker was tho last man called
District Attorney .Nandegrift opened tie
case. He read the section under which
Cooper was Indicted by the grand Jury,
The punishment Is not less than five nor
moro than ten years, He stated the charges
were those of aiding and abotting Boggs
aud conspiracy with BOggs. The penalty
for the last count is a torn of two years,
The evidence will be that Roggs was tel
Ter of the Dover bank, that he embezzled
SOY 600, that Cooper and Boggs accomplish
cd SO fur as Cooper is concerned by Cooper
drawing checks payable to r. d. Cuthbert
Tho checks were drawn not having the
money to meet them. The checks were LODI
ged in Philadelphia and sont to the Far.
mers Bank at Dover and by Boggs paid
when Cooper had no money with which to
pay them.
Harry A Richardson deposed he Is pres
ldent of tho First National Bank at Dover.
He identified the certificates of the organi.
cation of the bank and thatit was carry
ing on business. William N. Boggs was
cation in the bank by Boggs to the amount
of $4,000 Boggs had no right to loan tho
money to any ono,
In cross examination by Mr.. Bird, Mr..
Richardson said he was director of the
bank since 1889 He first suspected Boggs
of robbing the bank on June /, 1897. He
never conferred with Boggs concerning
the purchase Of Bay State Gas Company
bonds. Mr.. Bird asked if witness had
been sroculating in Bay State Gas. He
denied ne ever told Senator Kcnney that
he cleared Sl2 900.
- In 1896 Boggs told him that he had pur-
chased $500 worth of Bay State Gas and he
told BCggs to sell 1t. He did not know
Boggs was constant card player, or fol-
lowed The race track or played faro in
Gloucester. He had the utmost conf
dcnce in Boggs. ID. ID. Ross deposed he
has been an accountant for eleven years.
He examined tho books of the First Ma
tional Bank of Dover on Juno 3, 1897. Ho
found the dedication which was accom-.
piishCd by false entries
He entered up the deposits which had
not been entered on the bank books
Checks were paid and not entered on the
bank books
i. b, Page deposed he was with L. b.
1ulHneiu q w., III 1870 as manager.
Cooper was one Of their customers. He
identified the books of the brokerage Of
fec Cooper bought and sold stocks and
gave checks. Witness would give Cooper
u receipt and then deposit the checks in
the First National bank.
Mr. Nandegrit here asked for twenty
cheek from the counsel for the defense
but Mr.. Bird announced they had neither
checks nor tel grams. Witness turned to
the subs Of receipt and deposit books to
see |! he gavea receipt to Cooper and for
what amount on May T. 1895 On that date
receipt was given for $500,
Upon the question Of the admission of
tho books Of Cuthbcrt a Co., tho defense
objected The grounds CT objection lay in
tho fact that the books were those Of a
private party or firm.
District Attorney Nnndegrift quoted
number of authorities in favor of the I'D
mission of the stubs
The jury was cautioned not to talk Of
the case to any one. If any one should
approach them or COMMUNICATIVE them
the court would like to have their names.
Court took Il recess until2 - this alter
noon.