Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-04-06

First National Bank of Dover. Witness
gave similar testimony concerning
checks from Cotter to Rankin, as
follows: September 10th, 1896, for S25 !;
Goth. 1896, for $40; October
sd, 1896, for $40.
George III. Robinette, clerk at the
Union National Bank Of this city,
identified check for s32, given by
Cotter in favor of Rankin on the First
National Bank of Dover, dated October
18th, 1896, and said it was paid by the
Union National Bank and collected
from the Dover bank. 1t was paid
either on the 10th or 18th of October,
and an answer was received from the
Dover bank showing that it had been
paid there. Witness said other checks
given by Cotter in favor of Rankin
were paid, MS follows: August 10th,
1896, for S25; July 7th, 1896, for s2J
September oath, 1896, for $50. Mr..
Robinette also said the Union National
Bank paid cheeks for $40, given by
William N. Boggs in favor of William
l.. L.itton, dated October 26th, 1896
for IS. 80, given by Cotter In favor of
George Nebeker, dated February 9th,
1895; S275, given by Cotter in favor of
William Anderson II Co., dated June
9th, 1896.
After Mr.. Robinette had finished
Ezekiel Cooper of the Farmers Bank
of Dover resumed the stand. He said
the following Cotter checks went
through the Farmers Bank and were
paid: December 18th, 1894, in favor OF
O. B. Prettyman, for $40; December
10Th, Parker & Bro, $40; December
Goth, j. Wilson Irwin, SO; February
18th, 1885, j. Wilson Irwin, SIS;
February 10Th, j. H. Scott, SIS; Feb.
ruary 9th, A. W. Finley, $50; May
18th, j. H. Scott, $50.
FORMER CASHIER BATEMAN ON THE
STAND.
John H. Bateman of Dover, who was
cashier of the First National Bank Of
Dover at the time of the defalcation,
was placed upon the stand by District
Attorney Vandegrift, who showed hin
two checks given Ey Cotter and asked
whether the bank paid them. MIR.
Bateman replied in the affirmative
The checks were in favor of Senate,
w. q. Heinle OF Pennsylvania anc
we're dated February Sd and June Goth
1896, one being for 1925 and the othel
for S54.
Mr.. Bateman said he had absolut,
confidence in Boggs before the latter.
flight. None of the officers of the banl
had any knowledge of the manner il
which Cotter's checks were being paid
If they had they would not have per
mitted it. Witness said he saw severa
of Cotter's checks, knew he was ,
resident of Philadelphia, and woulS
always ask Boggs whether they were
good. Sometimes Boggs said they wer,
good and sometimes said they wer,
not. He told Boggs, either in the fal
of 1896 or early in 1897 that the Cote
business must be stopped that no NOR
Of Cotter's checks should be paid. HI
thought the checks were being used TO
some peculiar purpose and becam,
suspicious, believing Cotter had n,
account at the bank. By examinin,
| the books today, Mr.. Bateman fount
that Cotter had small account. II
did not consider Cotter a depositor an,
for that reason had issued the order t.
have the account closed.
In reply to Mr.. Higgins, witness sal,
he had no recollection of seeing any O
Cotter's checks after the account ha,
been ordered closed. The order wa
made to Boggs, as he was keeping tn
individual ledger. Cotter was no
known IN tho bank as a depositor. II
did not live in Dover, seldom visite
there and his operations were almos
exclusively outside of the State, all G
which aroused Mr.. Bateman's sus
picion that all was not right, henc
the action with respect to Cotter'
checks.
IRVING d. BoGGs TEsTIFIEs.
Irving d. Boggs. teller of the Firs
National Bank of Dover, who was cler
at the time Of the defalcation, wa
called by the government to testif
concerning Cotter's affairs at the bank
He said he had examined, since he wa
here Wednesday, the ledgers Of the ban
from November 18th, 1865. to May 18th
1892, the period under discussion Wee
nesday. From those books he made
transcript of everything relating I
Cotter's accounts, at the request
Mr.. Vandegrift, which he produced o
the stand. The books before the wi
ness showed that Cotter had no accour
at the bank from the time covered j
the transcript until September 26tt
1894, when the last account appears [
have been opened, deposit of 81
being made.
The transcript of the early booh
shows that Cotter had accounts ;
periods between 1886 aud 1889, bt
there was none in 1888. Tho accour
consisted chiefly of renewals of mott
and discounts, but in the year 1Ss
there were deposits amounting
S237. so. There was no account b,
tween 1888 and 1894.
THE GOVERNMENT RESTS.
After placing in evidence the tran
cripts of the early books of tho ban
Mr.. Vandegrift announced, at 1871
O'Clock, that the government rested.
Mr. Higgins Immediately opene
before the jury in behalf of the d
PENDANT. He said the defence won
| prove that the prosecution is Ill
founded and uniustitiable; that Bog,
, never told Cotter he was defaulte
or how he was taking money out of Il
bank; knew nothing Of the affairs
the bank until May 9Th, 1897, just pri
, to Boggs' flight. Cotter was shrev
business man and in Boggs he found
customer. All property bought (
Boggs was made to him in his nam
coTTER ON THE STAND.
William f. Cotter, the defendan
was the first witness called for Il
, defence. He said he was born in Wi
consin in 1S41 and has lived in Phil
delphia since 1884. He is real esta
broker in Philadelphia. He former
5 lived in Dover, Wilmington al
n Western Pennsylvania. His wife car
y from Dover.
Cotter said his first financial trar
: action was in the latter part of lSs
$ when he got Boggs to let him have :
$ on. u check on the Market Sire
It National Bank of Philadelphia.
4 gave Boggs the check as memora
d dunn and said he would pay him, tell