The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-04
NEARING
THE END.
The COtter Case Closes and
Counsel Make Their !
Argument to the
Jury.

District Attorney Vandegrift resumed
his address to tho jury in the Cottes trial
when court opened this morning. He said
he had gone over the letters written by
Cotter. The defendant was gambling in No
vember 1893 His horse racing procliviiies
kept on through the summer Of 1894 and
then again In 1856. In letter he stated
that Coles sign was out and advised
Boggs not to deal at that bucket shop.
Boggs replied that he thought CUtter had
quit the bucket shop business and advised
Cotter to stick to his trade until their
deals consummated. This nan was GO
ing into deals for houses and thousands Of
acres of land and had no bank account.
These gentlemen, Clark and Cotter, were
aware of transactions at the bank. And
here are letters Of this defendant to Boggs
cautioning him against CLARK. This de-
ferdant was extending hope all tho
time to William N. Boggs In one letter
Cotter stated he hoped they would DO &c..
QUO better off before long. At another
could make $14 COO If he expected these
checks to go to the bank why did no want
to talk about vouchers. He knew ut that
time az he knows to-day that Boggs was
carrying the checks. This man ut times
requested Boggs to send kenney's or any
body's check aud yet on the stand he says
he did not know be ever requested Boggs
W ooLu u tAoOh uioWh w boLlo ouo OA6es
On March 3lst 1897; Boggs wrote to Cotter
II am absolutely broke. This is tho
naked truth. 1t Is too bad to think Of the
money you have tied up for me und now
when want few dollars must hustle
like the mischief for It,"
When you come to look at these exhi-
bits look a. tho whole letter 30 that II thsrs
is anything there to cause doubt lii your
mind about this man give him the benefit
oft.
FOR TIE DEFENDANT.
Mr. Higgins in opening for the defense
said it was q source OF unqualified salts
faction that the case should BIO left to mon
as judicious and discreet rs those that
con >,itute the jury. He was In doubt rs
to tho charges upon which the defendant
was being tried.
"Aly friend has thrown everything into
this case. 1t was SO with Boggs. 1t Is so
with my learned friend. 1t has been pep
per castored. The poison that Boggs
brought into the case and then thrown by
tho District Attorney. more unfair
presentation Of a criminal case to the jury
hs never hoard. This is apeniten tiary Of.
Tense. If Mr.. Cotter ccnscieEtiously aided
Boggs to wreck this bank then he ought
to be convicted and punished for it. There
Is not a scintilla Of evidence in this case
apart from Boggs and there Ia no case.
There is nothing In this case except Boggs
on one side and all these lctters and this
defendant OH tho other side. There Is not
word from beginning to end that shows
u word Of guilt upon this Defendant. Ihe
testimony of an accomplish convicted upon
his own confession must BIO corroborated
for the testimony comes from too corrupt
q source.
Boggs story is the charge his story is the
evidence and his evidence is the testimony
In speaking of Boggs no said he knew of
the wreck of a more hopeful life. His rep
utation for IN irroproachable character
helped Bosgs to perform this ats you
must nave before your minds in this case
$1O7, 900 and IL trusted man.
My friend refers to Boggs as This
young man. Youth docs not justify the
devlish testimony that is here. Here Is
where that pepper castor comes In. Here
is the poison again. Here Is an irlcproach-
ablo character where disclosure OF defal.
cation ut the bank meant ruin. 1t Is not
in human nature to believe sucn story
II am thief. Il defaul,er. l have robbed
the bank l want you to come in and help
me to rob the bank" Can you believe
Boggs ever said that to this manl lam
willing to let the case hang on your an
swer.
The truth always coheres lies ut with
nothing. This case Is full Of lies. Boggs
never told Cottor he was defaulter anu
never told him how he performed the 4
clever swindle, At the time Boggs safu
he told Cotter about being short In his &C
counts Cottor owed just $50. In the face
of tho fact that the confederate never
knew how this was done. upon that ques-
ton willingly hang his verdict. Boges
story Is incredible. Mr.. Higgins will con.
clude his argument and will be followed
by District Attorney Vandegrift this af-
tornoon Tho cuss will 30 to the jury TO-
morrow morning.