The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-19


1 Mr.. Woods was directed to step aside
i and w. III. Nichols was sworn as a
1 handwriting expert acquainted with
| Evans writing. He believed the letters
1 to be in the handwriting of Evans.
George Stevenson of the First National
/ bank identified the letters as some ne
| had seen in Evans possession and he
/ had heard Evans say he had mailed
1 them.
I Fayette Harrington, cashier of the Sill
yer Bow National bank. identified let
| ter Evans had written in his presence.
The letters We're admitted in evidence
at this time over the objection of the
defense.
The witness Woods was recalled and
asked to read the letters.
Proceeding, the witness read a let
ter in which the defendant introduced
himself to the witness, stating that ne
had found Woods name in a business
directory and had taken the liberty of
writing him. His excuse was that
Montana mining stocks were advanc-
ing daily in value, and the writer I'M
derstood that shares in numerous Mon
tana properties were held in the sec
ton OF country in which Woods lived.
the owners of which would probably be
ignorant Of their suddenly increased
value, and as a consequence IL was
possible they could be purchased and
resold at "a handsome profit, which
would be divided If WOODS cared to
enter into the scheme.
Freedom Gold Mining company $
stock was among those mentioned as
probably held in Woods vicinity, and
as one of those which We're steadily
advancing in price. The author closed
with a glowing description of the posi-
bilities~ of Montana mines, and when
the witness read this a laugh went
around the pOIIrt room which the court
INDUCED in himself To the extent of a
smile, the defendant being the only one
who apparently saw no humor in ii.
This letter was followed by one in
which it was incidentally mentioned
that Freedom was worth 60
cents and was being bought
UP. Another letter dated Nov.
Is, 1885, stated that the b. G. w.
Evans company had purchaser for
10000 shares of Freedom stock at "A
cents, and added that if Woods could
get hold of block of 5000 shares it
could be sold for 10 cents and profits
would be divided. Another letter in a
similar strain was read. The next let
ter stated that the author had that day
been presented with draft for $1,000
and 1900 shares of Freedom and 1000
shares of Bitter Root stock. The com
pany's purchaser was out of the city
and could not be reached for a few
days. and the bank through which the
draft came had been requested to hold
Ii for few days until buyer could
be notified. that the bank officials had
declined, and had notified the author
that the draft would have to be re-
turned.
The correspondence closed with a let
ter informing Woods that he should
never pay cash for stocks unless he re-
ceived positive advice by wire on the
day of purchase as all stocks were
changeable and none more SO than
mining. The letters We're all signed
by Evans.
Continuing. the witness detailed the
transactions had with Fagen-Bu and
Evans, and said he purchased small
blocks of stock and received his money
regularly, and finally Fagen- Bush came
10 him and said he knew a man at
Kankakee who had 5000 shares of
Freedom stock that could be bought
cheap, and witness told him to go and
get an option on the block and he
would guarantee the payment. Fagen-
Bush returned a few days later and
said that for some reason the owner
Of the stock would not sell unless he
got cash down. Fagen- Bush suggested
stock, which he did, and was unable To
purchase the stock without paying
cash.
ON the representation that the stock
could be sold for 70 cents the witness
bought the stock and paid cash for it.
He then drew on the defendant. but
the draft came back dishonored Then
came the two letters read.
The hour for adjournment having
arrived court adjourned until Monday
morning at 10 o'clock.