The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-16
The Taking of Testimony in the
Colts Barratry Case
ENDED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
Mr.. Cots Went on the Stand in his
own Bchalfnnd Underwent n Wig
orous Cross-cxamination at the
Hands of Mr.. PcndIcton : Testified
he was Tax Inforiner Birds Clerk
and was to Have Gotten "Slicc."

The barratry hearing before Justice
C. S. Greer. In which w. j. Colts, ]. L.
W. McCulley, J. G. Haberileld. George
Waite and John Anderson figure as the
defendants, Is nearing its conclusion.
At yesterdays session the taking OF ev-
idence was concluded. and 1t was decid-
ed that the arguments would begin this
afternoon at $3.50 o'clock In the circuit
court room. Colonel Arnett will make
the argument on behalf of the defense
and eX-Congressman John O.. Pendle-
ton will speak for the prosecution.
AT the morning session, Henry Bayha
was the first witness: he had been one
OF the tax informer defendants and had
compromised at the Instance of Colts.
James a. Dunning. justice OF the
peace, testified regarding the compro-
mise of the Bayha suit. The docket
had been receipted by Colts rs treasur-
er. Colts had also brought four suits
in the witness court against James A.
Henry on the Anderson fee claims. and
he understood Colts would enter other
such suits.
County Clerk Robertson testified
briefly regarding visits made by Colts
to his Office during the tax informer
period.
Louis Bonenberger said he had re-
ceived notice from Colts OF mis- indebt-
edness through fees due Anderson. but
he had paid nothing. having shown the
fees were paid before.
Jerry O'Brien, one of the men sued
by the tax informcr crowd. testified
briefly. Judgment had gone against
him for $50, but the circuit courts de-
cislon went against the informer crowd
and he paid nothing.
Mr.. W. ]. Bodley testified to having
had similar experience. During the
examination of this witness there was
an exchange of courtesies between
Messrs. Colts and Pcndleton.
Attorney W. G. Caldwell testified to
having been the representative OF Jerry
O'Brien in the tax inforiEer qase. He
i believed Colts was interested in that
/. transaction.
Just as he appears interested now?"
asked Mr.. Pcndleton.
II demand protection. your honor. as
n Taxpayer" exclaimed Mr.. Colts to
the court, land ii l don't get 1t l will
make 1t personal matter between
Pendleton and me-"
Again the court interfcred and the
contestants were separated, 1iguratire-
" speaking.
DR.. B. II. Stii!yard testified to having
settled claim acquired by Colts from
Anderson that was contracted in 1892.
which was oulawed," said Mr.. Pendle-
ton.
Clerk W. II. Hornlsh. of the board Of
q public works. knew of suits instituted
by Colts against the members of the
board The witness was instructed to
bring in the records OF the board at the
afternoon session.
County Assessor a. Israel testified
that he had been served with tax in
former informations last summer. and
he had given out some of the names for
publication in the papers. He knew
nothing of Colts connection with these
cases.
Albert Meyer. bookkeener of G.. z.
Stifel & Co. testified to having settled
an SIS Anderson fee claim with Colts
for SIS.
Ex-Strect Commissioner Holmes tes-
tiled to having had Colts arrested, and
that Cots had sued him for $1,000 dam
ages.
Charles C. Schmidt said Colts had
given the Wheeling s: Elm Grove Rail-
road Company much trouble about nc-
uuirinG 4 right of way at Baker and
McColloch streets. East End. The
company had received a threatening
letter from Mr.. Colts.
Chief OF Police Clemans testified to
having arrested Colts in 1895, and later
Colts had entered suit against him fol
damages TO the amou I: Of $1,000. Cots
he said. had threatened to land Charles
Sachmann in the pcn!tentiary.