New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-24
TEARS STOPPED TESTIMONY
TRIAL OF wINANT AND HEPBURN
BEGUN
T. G. ISLES. WHO is WITNESS. BEGAN CRYING
WHILE IN THE, CHAIR AND THE CASE
WAS ADJOURNED, WITH THE PROSE
CUTIoN APPARENTLY AHEAD
on THE DAY.

ON THE DAY
The trial OF Charles VI. Wnant and Colonel Hep
burn for alleged bribery of F G. Isles In promising
TO nay 70 Isles part Of go 900 II the latter would
secure other Grand Jurors who would prevent the
Indictment OF Theodore B. Willis and William T.
Philips in 1895 began yesterday before justice
Keogh In Part " Of the Supreme Court. The
trial 'pened with the selection OF a jury. There
were ten jurors in the box when court opened and
after some tro lble jury was sworn in at u;D
o'clock. The trial then began. Assistant District
Attorney Luther S Emerson and Assistant District
Attorney Van Colt conducted the prosecution. and
David Welch and ex-Justice Charles F. Brown
appeared for Winant and Hepburn.
The evidence gwen by Isles was strongly against
the defendants. and It the general opinion
that the prosecution had come out on top In the
doings Of the day. The admissions OF Isles were
somewhat detracted from. however. by his con-
Il ssion that he intoxicated at the time the
bride was said TO have been offered to him. The
CT urt was suddenly adjourned early in the after
ncon because Isles overcome that he burst
into tears. AMI unable TO proceed further with
the testimony
Assistant District-Attorney Emerson first ex-
planned the case 10 the jury. He said that Isles
and Wnant were old friends. and friends still.
so far as outward appearances go. Winant was in
the employ OF Police Commissioner Philips as
clerk. and II was natural that he should take a
deep interest in the affairs OF the March 1925 Grand
Jury. The prosecution stated that 1t would show
that the rescue OF Willis was talked by
Winant and others. and that Winant kept close
watch on the action Of the Grand Jury. Isles was
doubtless. as member Of that Grand Jury, COM
municating with Winant, he said. At any rate.
Isles went TO Wnant's house. No. "a Cumberland
St. and the prospects and probable result Of the
Grand Jurys work were talked over. and Isles
consented to be introduced TO "a friend In New
York" cousin OF William z. Philips Isles was
! IN and that
while $4,000 up he had better ask for $40 OoO
They proceeded by different routes TO New-York
When they had met at the Sinclair House Winaut
introduced Isles Smith. and the friend Colo
mel Webster, who seemed TO be waiting and in a
liberal frame Of mind There were champagne and
oysters. and after the little preliminary converse
ton Isles, In reply 10 question TO how much
required. said that $50 600 would do Colonel
Webster agreed 10 give 81, Co., Mr.. Emerson said
He continued by saying that the sum OF 5000 as
earnest money was paid TO Isles by Winant and
Hepburn. and stated that he would show that Isles
started TO carry out the agreement It was not the
bribery of Isles alone, but his influence with the
Grand Jury that the serious part OF the charge
and he did consult with the other jurors. and some
were in favor OF a civil instead OF criminal &C
ton: but the attempt failed through honesty in
the Grand Jury. He ran up against five feet six
inches Of honesty" said Mr.. Emerson in conclu-
sion land we shall ask verdict for conviction"
Testimony first taken showing that Isles
was a member Of the Grand Jury Of March 1898;
that the foreman OF that Grand Jury was Thomas
Edwards. and that twenty-four grand jurors had
qualified. Isles then called the chief wit
ness. and there rustic in the courtroom as
he took the stand He testified 10 his connec-
tion with the Grand Jury. and then admitted that
ne had met winant frequently. as they were both
Masons belonging 10 the same lodge. He admitted
further that he had received letters from Winant
signed by Encouragement "Zeredatha." making
appointments with him. and that he had kept those
appointments and IN them talked with Winant
about the case against Willis and Philips. When
he was asked about the meeting In the Sinclair
House he admitted what Mr. Emerson had stated
and also answered In reply TO the defendants
counsel that ne had taken too much, and had no
idea how ne had reached home He said the
walter, Patrick Wall. who IS missing and
whose house is being watched by detectives, had
been near the table all through the meeting Isles
then testified that he had seen Edwards and Schott
members OF the Grand Jury, next day and had
mace advances 10 them thinking at the same time
that he himself should get the most Of the rnonsv
because he was doing the work
AT this point just the witness had admitted
tnat on March H. the day on which the Indictment
was moved he was 500 in he showed visible sign
or agitation and finally burst crying SO that
ne could not speak. AS his At Of weeping showed
letting he