Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-06-09
Anernoon Session.

OF the court this afternoon the court
rom who crowded with spectators,
principally ladies. Judge Morse had or
dered an electric fan placed In such po-
sitlon as to give the jury cool breeze
during the sessions hereafter and while
the noon recess was being taken Coun-
Is Clerk James had the machine put
IN position ready for the afternoon.
Mr., George Il. Romney was recalled
and was questioned by Mr., Elchnor as
TO conversation witness had with
Peter Mortensen on Dec, 5, 1901, at the
Office OF the Pacific Lumber company.
when the defendant enumerated the
parties from whom he expected TO re-
ceiye the money with which TO pay his
bill. Mr.. Barnard Stewart objected to
the witness answering the question but
Judge Morse oyerruled the objection.
Defendant had then said he expected
to get the money as already published in
these columns the aggregate amount
being $3.50
Cross questioned by Mr. Barnard
Stewart the witness said that Morten-
sen had probably handled during the
summer anywhere between $4,000 and
$4,000 There were perhaps many mat
ters Of the defendants business that
witness did not know Of Witness
could not say that, on Dec. 5, he had
any doubt that Mortensen would be
able to pay his bill, but he made a
memorandum Of the amounts and the
places from which the money was to
come so as TO reassure himself that the
bill would be paid.
Mr.. Stewards questioning at one
point rufiied Mr.. Romney's patience.
but the witness quickly recovered him
self and answered the questions put by
Mr.. Stewart In a cool manner. The in
cldent happened when Mr.. Romneys
memory was being tested by severe
questioning, Mr.. Stewart suggested to
the witness that the public prosecutor
had been coaching him IN the matter
OF dates and Mr. Romney denied t.
Mr.. Eichnor took occasion to ask.
"Mr. Romney, II there was a mistake
made as to the date Of the conversation,
being the 9Th Of December, It was my
fault. was il not?"
Yes"
Counsel for defense objected strenu-
ously to the suggestion. and there
promised 70 be a little wrangle until
Judge Morse quietly said:
Proceed. gentlemen"
Joseph w. Summerhays Of Forest
Dale was the next witness. He testl.
fled that Mortensen worked for him in
December ON one job. II was COM
pleted In December.
Mr., Stewart interrupted to ask II the
witness entered into a written contract
with Mortensen. Witness had an eX-
PLANTATION to make. but counsel insist
ed on a direct answer The court or
dered the witness to 80 answer. Wit
ness finally said there was no written
contract The amount OF the job was
s2O5. Of which 500 was paid to the 10th
OF December.
w. A. Overlook OF the Western Mo-
line plow company, testified that he
knew Mortensen and that In December
he contracted business with the de-
PENDANT In the construction OF an Office
The amount Of the contract was
s3ll 10. on Dec. II he paid defend
ant Sl96.l0. He said after the 18th he
paid $40, but this latter part was ruled
out.
NJ. r. Taylor, chief clerk TO the gem
eral master sleclmnic Of the Rio
Grande Western. testified that he had
known the accused for about IA
months. Mr.. Taylor was excused for
o few moments and Mr. Summerhays
recalled He said Il was on Dec. Is
that he paid Mortensen the,.l00.
Mr. Taylor was recalled and testified
That he made out certain check. The
amount of the check was $3.50.
Mrs. A. t. Matthews was eslled by
the state and testified tina, she has
known the defendant for abJut a year
Mr.. Elchnor handed her a paper and
asked II she had ever seen it before.
II was the check mentioned by Mr..
Taylor. Mrs. Matthews said She gave
the check to Moriensen between the LIST
and 18th Of December, 1901.
j. NJ. Tanner Of Forest Dale testified
he has known Mortensen for about
three years. He said Mortensen did
some work for him TO the amount OF
$50. and he paid the defendant by
check. It was dated Nov. 25, 1901.