Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-08
MEICHAN ON
THE STAND TODAY
Defendant in Ogden Postoffce Case
Gives Testimony.
TELLS A STRAIGHT STORY.
TELLS A STRAIGHT STORY
Evidence VIII Likely He all In This
Afternoon when Case VIII Go =
TO the Jury.

Interest In the MeIghan case today
centered In the testimony Of the de-
PENDANT who was placed on the witness
stand In his own behalf this morning,
Meighan, who was somewhat ner-
vous at first, told his story In a
straightforward manner and at times
went outside the questions asked him
by his counsel and gave some informa-
ton regarding the operation of the post
Office at Ogden which had not been
sought by the defense. From the story
by the witness the life of the average
Ogden postmaster Is an excessively
strenuous one owing TO the fact that
the office Is short handed. This state
Of affairs was in no wise lightened when
Meighan's assistant went on the sick
list just prior to the time OF this dis
covery Of the alleged shortage. After
Meighan had worked daily from $3.50
a. IN. until about 1880 p. m, In trying
to cover all the departments under his
supervision he too was forced TO lay of
for a month in order to recuparate. IL
was about this time that the shortage
occurred
Counsel for the defense did his best
this morning TO interject by inference
that someone else beside Meighan was
responsible for the shortage, but on
every hand he was met with objections
on the part of counsel for the govern
ment and these objections were sus-
talnpd nv Jiidga Marshall
II Is possible that all the evidence
will be in by this afternoon when the
case will go TO the jury.
RAPP FOR THE DEFENSE.
With the opening Of the fourth day
of the trial. G. S Rapp, former assist
ant postmaster at ogden. took the
witness stand for the defense and the
tedious work of Identifying certain
daily cash balance slips that had been
made mp by him at the close OF each
days business.
The identification completed, Attor-
ney Maginnis proceeded TO ask witness
questions regarding certain certin-
cate OF deposit in the Utah National
bank, which has bobbed up at stated
intervals TO be smothered by the prose-
oution. Again the district attorney OBJ
jected TO the question and the objection
was sustained.
OTHER WITNESSES
Miss Edna Thomas stamp clerk. was
then called. After stating that the de-
PENDANT rarely came into the money
order department or personally put
the money in the safe at the close Of
the day. witness identified certain pay
rolls which were placed in evidence.
John l.. Herrlck who served as act
ing postmaster for the bondsmen Of
Mcighan subsequent 10 the suspension
Of the postmaster, was then sworn.
Atty. Maglnnis asked a number Of
questions regarding the operation Of
the postoflice and the amount paid out
IN salaries These were objected TO
and sustained on the grounds that Wit
hess took possession after the term
mentioned In the Indictment
The witness was eventually excused
without Atty. Maginnls elicitlng from
him a single material answer
At this juncture Atty, Patterson
succeeded Maginnis In the examination
o, witnesses,
THE DEFENDANT CALLED.
Charles Melehan. the defendant, was
tten called. After being sworn he tes-
tilted that he was appointed postmas-
tor in April, 1899,
on April |, 1901. John l.. Herrlck,
acting assistant postmaster. was sue
ceeded by Mr.. Kelly. who was assist
ant postmaster until Feb. l5 1902 Dur
Ing this period witness stated that
Kelly was not always present in at
tendance upon his duties. During July
and TO September. 1901, witness said
he had charge OF. the money order de-
partment owing TO the fact that
through III health Mr,Kelly had taken
vacation on the coast. During this per-
lod witness said the only assistance he
had was that furnished by Miss Thomas
at odd moments.
THAT CASH BOOK.
The now famous cash book was then
brought out and witness Identified H.
In answer 10 questions he said that Mr.
Kelly at first assisted him in arriving
at the cash balance daily, but after
April !. 1901, he had attended 10 that
duty himself nightly up 10 June ] OF
the same year. Witness said at that
time he believed the entries 10 be cor.