Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-04-06
TRIAL OF WILLIAM E. CoTTER.


defence.
Boggs said he was in hopes that the
Anderson building operation, which |
consisted of the erection of So houses
In Philadelphia, would pay off all of
the Cotter checks. He thought be-
tween $4,000 and $1,000 would be
realized.
District Attorney Vandegrift making
no objection, Mr. Higgins put in evil
dence letters written by Boggs to
Cotter, dated December 10th, 1894,
1896, August 18th, 1896, notice OF
protest of SIT check, dated February
10th, 1897, letters dated September
oath, 1896, February 18th, 1897, Feb
ruary 25th, 1897, March 3lst, 1897, and
August 2lst. 1896.
Boggs said that one day in Novem-
Der, 1896, be and Cotter went to see
the Philadelphia houses on Manley
street and Forty ninth street. He de-
MED that there was an understanding
on that occasion that anything Cotter
might owe him was to be discharged
In consequence of Cotter's services in
the real estate transactions. Concern
ing the conference at Boggs' house on
May sth, 1897, Boggs said Cotter asked
for his checks, but they were not de-
livered, as the account between them
was not settled. He did not propose
that Cotter should have them. Cotter
saw him on the following day and
renewed the request for the checks
and papers, saying they might assist
Senator kenney IN making collections,
but again they we're refused. The only
check unpaid at the time Boggs spoke
to Cotter on the train from Philadel-
phia about his shortage was Cotter's
check for $50 on the Market Street
National Bank of Philadelphia. The
first cheek paid for Cotter out of the
funds of the Dover bank was the
Temple check for $50 in July, 1894.
Boggs insisted that Cotter suggested
the real estate transactions to him.
The real estate matter was first men
toned about the first of December,
1894. They were together in other
transactions before that time.
BoGGs EXAMINED BY MR.. vANDEeRIFT.
At tho conclusion of the cross
examination Mr.. Vandegrift again
took Boegs in hand, and in reply to
Mr.. Vandeerift witness said the inter-
view of May 8th, 1897, took place in
the second story back room at his resi-
dence. Boggs told Cotter at that time
that he intended to leave Dover on the
following Monday, and the news so
startled Cotter that he became sick.
He was very much put out because
Boggs would not give him the checks,
telling Boggs he had done all he could
TO assist him. He told Cotter he had
better let Senator Kenney have the
checks, so that they would be protected
from others. Boggs at that time had
no idea of returning after his flight.
Witness identified a letter dated
March 9th, 1895, written by Cotter
to him relative to Cotter's COM
pensation and said the understanding
was that Cotter was to turn over to
Boggs the profits Of all transactions in
which they we're interested, until all
checks had been cleared up, and after
that had been done the profits were to
be divided. The letter, which bore on
this matter, was submitted in evidence.
Mr.. Vandegrift submitted in evil
dence several letters written by Cotter
to Boggs bearing on various trans
actions.
Boggs said he protested one Of
Cotter's checks in 1896 because Cashier
Bateman had ordered the account
closed. He also protested another
check on February 10th, 1897. He
had no recollection of Cotter's having
an account at the bank prior TO Sep.
TENDER, 1894, although Mr.. Higgins
said he thought Cotter had an account
there long before that time, which hao
sever been closed. Boggs examined
he bank ledger which was shown him,
ind said Cotter had no account at the
pank in 1898. II he had had an account
tliere and there was balance either
way it would have been carried to thai
book Mr.. Vandegrift offered the
ledger to show that Cotter had nc
account in the bank in 1888. sub
sequent to May Goth, when the boob
was opened.
In reply to Mr.. Higgins, witness sale
on two or three occasions Cotter sen
him money with which to pay check
which he had previously paid. Wher
he received the money he would put j
in the banks money drawer and mai
the check to Cotter and there would b,
no entry on the books. He remembered
receiving from Cotter on one occasion
William Anderson's check for S2l t,
take up $40 and an gil check.
Mr.. Higgins again asked Bogg
whether Cotter had had an account u
the bank previous to the one unde
discussion, to which Boggs repliet
that he was pretty nearly sure Cote
had no account there after he entered
the bank, in 1882. Whereupon Mr.
Higgins asked Mr.. Vandegrift il h
would have the books brought up from
Dover for the purpose of ascertainin
the truth of the matter. Immediate
Mr.. Vandegrift instructed Irving d
Boggs, the teller, to bring the book
up this morning. Irving Boggs sal
it would be necessary to ship them b
freight, as there are about dozen t
be examined.
Boggs said he was interested in
number of lots at Anglesea, N. j.
which probably went into the Mamie
street, Philadelphia, house transaction
Witness explained the reason he pre-
tested check in December, 1885,
saying at had come under the motto
Of Cashier Bateman and to do Other
wise would have been dangerous.
In roply to Mr.. Vandegrift, Boge
said Cotter did all of the real estat
dealing, trading and shifting
EZEKIEL COOPER TEsTIFIEs.
Boggs finished his testimony Mt A. j:
o'clock, and Immediately stepped dow
from the stand. He was followed /
Ezekiel Cooper of the Farmers Banl
Dover, who was called by the govern
ment. He testified to some of Cotter
checks going through the Farme
Bank and being paid by the Fir
National Bank. He was on tho star
at 40 o'clock, when court adjourn,
until 10. Is o'clock Thursday morning
On motion of District Attorney VA
degrift, Edwin K. Cochran was a,
united to practice in the United Stat
Courts.
At the afternoon session Ezeki