The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-04-05

An interruption of rather sensa-
tional nature occurred yesterday in the
81. 1000 trespass case of NJ. w. Gucrn-
sey against J. w. Guernsey, which has
been on trial. since Monday last, be-
fore Judge Savidge. 1t resulted in
court referring to the district attorney
a mass of testimony tending TO estao-
lish an allegation tina, parties inter
csted in the defense had attempted to
unduly influence witnesses
The plaintiff, 1t will be remembered,
sold out to the defendant and con-
tracted to give hini his exclusive SER
vices for five wears. At the end of two
years the defendant was discharged,
and thereupon brought suit to recover
wages for the remaining three years of
the contract period.
The defense was that the plaintiff
was not giving his attention exclusive
ly to the defendants business but was
engaged in private enterprises, among
them the keeping of livery stable.
The plaintiff contended that the de-
fendant was cognizart of and acqul-
esced in this.
At the previous triaI before arbtra-
tors two years ago, the principal wit
ness for the plaintiff in this feature of
the case was Charles Bennett. He
testified he drove down to the Guern-
sey store one dav with horse from
NJ. w. Guernsey's livery stable, and
after transacting his business in the
store, had a conversation with ]. w.
Guernsey, in which. the latter gave
Bennett to understand that he knew
perfectly we'll Of NJ. w. Guernsey s
livery stable venture and that he was
wholly satisfied that his employe
should conduct this business as a side
venture.
RENNETT MISSING.
When the second trial of the case
began last Monday this witness, Ben
nett, was missing. Each side had had
detectives assisting it in working up
the case. Il. F.. Reynolds being en-
gagged by the plaintiff and Will F.
Clifford by the defendant. The plain
tiff's detective claimed to know that
Bennett was in Binghantor and bar
gained to bring him back with the as
sistance Of an attachment.
Judge Savidge declared the absent
witness to be in contempt and issued
an attachment, which was placed in
Mr.. Reynolds hands. The witness waa
brought back Tuesday and lodged in
the county Jail Attorney John +.
Scragg proceeded to have him released
on q habeas corpus. and Yesterday
morning Judge Savidge gave him a
hearing.
That the Jury might not hear the
testimony court adjourned TO the law
library. and. all day long. up to 1
o'clock, witnesses We're on the stand
telling of Eennett's flight, and the in
cdents leading up to it.
NJ. w. Guernsey, the plaintiff; VIII
liam Foote. confidential clerk of j. w.
Guernsey; Charles Bennett, the wit
ness in contempt; Josie Bennett. "a
young woman Of LenoX township, who,
it is alleged. was approached with Of
fers Of money if she would succeed in
having Bennett change his testimony,
and Attorney c. s. Woodruff, of coun-
sci for the defense, were on the stand.
The plaintiff tried TO show that the
defendant had attempted, while the
first trial was on. to hire Miss Bennett
to induce Charles Bennett to change
his testimony: that she declined the
offer. and proposed to tell of this Incl
dent in the interest of the plaintiff at
wv piSSFit Nlls tildl N'lldtltS iDclllltll
was won over to the defendants side,
and engaged himself to assist in pre-
venting Miss Bennett from giving her
testimony, and that he left the state
to be beyond the reach of our court,
and was attempting, also. to inveigle
Miss Bennett away.
DECOY LETTERS SENT.
Decoy letters. il is alleged, were sent
to Bennett and Miss Bennett, one in
the name of Miss Bennett, inviting
Charles Bennett To- meet her at Foota' $
house in Page court, one evening in
the spring of 1898; the other. signed
with Mrs. Foote'S name. inviting Miss
Bennett to call on the same evening.
Both responded and upon their arri-
val found Mr.. and Mrs, Fcote. j. w.
Guernsey, Attorney Woodruff and De-
tective Clifford present.
Mr.. Guernsey protested to Bennett
that he (BennetU had done him a grea
injustice, arguing that the incident he
referred to never took place; that his
memory must be faulty as to the party
he had the alleged conversation with, ir
he had any such conversation at all.
and that it was his duty to straighten
the matter out when the case was next
tried. Bennett insisted that he had not
made a mistake, and went away.
Miss Bennett was then appealed to,