Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-16
III BlRRAlRY CASES.
Hearing d Evidence Against Cots
WasEConcluded Yesterday,

=
WashGoncluded Yesterday,
AND THE DEFENDANT WENT ON
THE STAND, WHERE HE MADE
SOME VERY INTERESTING
STATEMENTS = OTHER WIT
NESSESL HEARING CONCLUDED
AND ARGUMENTS WILL BE
MADE BY COUNSEL THIS AT
TERNOON.
The hearing of evidence in the first
of the barraty cases, that of w. ]. Colts,
was concluded yesterday afternoon. Mr..
Pendleton wanted to argue the matter
at once, but Col. Arnett insisted upon
delay. The attorneys finally compro-
missed on $3.50 O'Clock this afternoon,
when an hour will be given for each
side to present its case. The proceed
ings yesterday were enlivened by spats
among the counsel, and by the attitude
of the defendant while under cross-ex-
animation by counsel for the prosecu-
ton.
A considerable portion of the morn
ing session was consumed in listening
to evidence relating to the tax cases
in which Informer Bird and others were
interested Henry Bayha was the first
witness. Bird sued him before Justice
Dunning for s65 unpaid taxes on loan,
and he compromised the case. The suit
was in the name of Bird. Colts, how
ever, advised as to the terms of the
settlement.
J. A. Cumming, Justice of the Peace,
was called, and testified as to the pro-
ceedings referred to by Bayha. He did
not know who received the compromise
money, but Colts signed the docket as
treasurer. Bird has disappeared, and
witness does not know where he is.
Witness further testified concerning
the suit against J. A. Henry, and said
Colts corrected the amount when he
learned that it was excessive.
County Clerk Richard Robertson tes-
titled that Colts was in the vaults eX-
aiming the records of his Office, with
Bird and McCulley. He did not know
that Colts went there to examine into
the tax cases. Colts goes to the office
frequently, and sometimes obtains GER
titled copies of records from him.
Louis Bonenberger testified as to the
effort of Colts to collect a bill for
costs which had been assigned to him
by Constable John Anderson. Jerry
OBrien testified that he was sued by
Bird on a tax case, but knew only by
hearsay of Colts connection with the
matter. w. J. Bodley was another wit
ness in the tax cases. Colts made
the balls and McCulley fired them"
he said. VIM. G. Caldwell gave evil
dence that was not of material import
ance DR.. B. H. Stillyards told OF
Colts collection of a claim for costs
against him, assigned by Anderson.
County Assessor Addison Israel had
dealings in his official capacity with
Bird. The informer gave him a large
number of blanks pertaining to loans
secured by deeds of trust. There were
about 500 suits, and names of the par
ties appeared in the newspapers.
Albert Mayer, book-keeper for Geo.
E. Stifel & Co., testified to an Anderson
claim for costs amounting to SIS, which
the firm settled for SIS, not desiring to
enter into litigation over the matter.
Mr.. Holmes, while acting as Street
Commissioner, had Colts arrested for
digging in the streets, and Colts sued
witness for $4,000 damages.
Chas. C. Schmidt, of the Reymann
Brewing Company, testified concerning
right of way for the w. C E. G. road
at Baker and Mccullough streets. The
company had received a threatening
letter from Colts. Witness was in
structed to bring the letter into Court.
Chief of Police, w. M. Clemans, tes-
titled to his arresting Colts for digging
in the street, and Colts damage suit
for $4,000 against him. Colts said he
would continue until he landed Charles
Bachmann in the penitentiary.
John S. Welty testified that Colts
told him he proposed to enjoin the
Cathedral from maintaining steps on
Thirteenth street.
Joseph Green received a letter from
Colts, notifying him that a claim for
costs againsts witness, had been as
signed to Colts by Constable Anderson.
Colts said if he did not pay the bill