The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-20

the Story About the Letter Re-
ceived from Harris and What Grier
Said His Intentions with Reference
to It Were-Councilman Coyne Suf-
fered a Severe Cross Examination
at the Hands of Attorney New
comb-Will Make an Effort to
Have Case 60 to the Jury Today.
| A considerable amount Of testimony
| for the defense was heard yesterday
| in the case of the commonwealth
| against James j. Grier. In the MORN
| ing, Judge II. NJ. Edwai DIS decided to
| admit the testimony over which there
was so much argument Thursday af-
| ternoon and after court opened yes.
| terday morning. The examination Of
| the defendant was then resumed and
| concluded and the testimony Of Com
mon Councilmen Z. j. Coleman and
p. F. Calpin and Select Councilman
T. j. Coyne was also heard. They all
denied the facts that Detective Har-
ris testified to when on the stand.
An effort will be made to get the
case to the jury today, but it is not
likely to be successful, as the de-
fense has a number Of witnesses yet
to call. Juror c. G. Williams, who
was. taken i'll Thursday, was able to
go into court yesterday morning.
Argument on the admission of the
statement it was sought to give Grier
an opportunity to tell about was re-
sumed when court opened in the
morning. Mr.. Newcomb made the
principal argument for the prosecu-
ton and quoted number of authori-
ties, having more or less bearing on
the case under consideration, to show
that Grier could not be permitted to
testify to the statements he made to
others prior to receiving the money
from Harris. Judge Edwards, how
ever, was of the opinion that the tes-
timony was admissible and SO ruled.
GRIER EXAMINED.
The examination of Grier was re-
sumed by his attorney, Mr.. Horn, and
he testified substantially to the same
set of facts outlined in the offer made
Thursday afternoon, when the court
was asked to admit the testimony
Grier said that he told p. F. Calpin
Of the receipt of the letter on the next
day after it reached him and showed
the letter to Calpin. John LOTUS,
William Lynett, c. w. Mckinney and
r. j. Coleman in LOTUS & Melvin's
drug store a short time later on the
same day. He told them he was 60
ing to see Harris and if Harris Of
fered him money, as he suspected he
would, he was going to have him ar
rested. He told them to wait awhile
and he would let them knoTAthe re-
suit of his visit to Harris.
He went up to Harris room and
the latter gave him two $40 bills,
which he took back to the drug store
and showed to the men he had been
talking with. He then took 1.-THE
money to his attorney, NJ. A. Nc
Ginley, and deposited it with him.
He also told Mr.. Mckinley that he
understood Fl. 4. Fellows and r. u.
Coyne had also been Offered money,
and Mr.. Mckinley told linn to bring
them to his Office and then thay
would proceed to have Harris ar
rested. He did not have an opportu-
nifty to see these men and Harris, for
that reason, was not arrested. Grier
denied positively that he received the
sl.4O0, or that any money other than
the $40 ever passed into his hands
from Harris.
MONEY HE DEPOSITED.
On cross examination, at the hands
of Mr.. Newcomb, the witness said
he Is employed by the Asphalt COM
pany at a salary of $96 per month.
Grier admitted that he deposited $500
in the bank about the time the as
phalt repair CONTRACT was passed.
This money he had saved out of his
salary. Fie also admitted that the
money deposited by him between June
2, 1899, and April, 1900, was between
Sl,S0o and $1,000. this Including the
$500 before referred to. Grer was
then examined at length as to his war;
ious meetings with Harris, but what
was clicited from him did not differ
materially from his testimony in chief
with reference to these meetings.
IL. j. Coleman was sworn and his
direct examination was conducted by
Attorney John F. Scragg. He corrob-
GRATED Gricr as to the meetings be-
tween Grier and Harris at the baker,
shop, and those who We're present. He
was sure there We're only two meet
ings at Rohrwasser's, instead of
three as testified to by Harris, and
that at the first meeting Calpim was
present. Harris story was that Cal
pin was not present until the second
meeting. In speaking about the
meeting at the bakery when Coyne,
Grier, Harris and the witness were
present, he said that he saw no
money on the table. There was no
table in the room He saw Harris
trying to force some money on Grier
and heard the latter tell him.,that he
had laid himself liable to arrest for
proffering money. At this point,
court adjourned for the noon recess,
and when it reconvened, the eXamina-
tion in chief of Coleman was re-
sumed.
SAW THE MONEY.
Coleman said he saw Grier In LOTUS
& Melvins drug store one day early in
last May. In the drug store at the
time We're r. F. Calpin, C. w. McKin-
ney, William Lynett and John LOTUS.
Grier said he had letter from Harris
and he was going up to see him. II
Harris offered him money he would
have him arrested He told those pres
ent to wait and he would be back in
short time. He did return in about
fifteen minutes and showed two $50
bills. which he said he obtained from
Harris. II am going to take this money
to my attorney and have Harris ar
rested" Grier said. Coleman was posi-
tiya that ha had navar driya, r,,;.,, -,