The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-19
F.B. MELONS TRIAL
 IS AGAIN TAKEN UP
THE EVIDENCE OF. THE PRosEcU. TON IS NEARLY COMPLETED AND THE ARGUMENTS COM. MENcE THIS MORNING AT 8.

The trial of F. B. Wellons, charged with embezzlement of 800 of the White Commission company's money, was again taken up before Judge Feagin yesterday afternoon. Nearly all of the evidence has been introduced, and the argument will probably be started this morning Judge Feagin has agreed to convene court at s o'clock.
 At this session the principal testl- mony will probably be that of J. Carter Cooke. who has been summoned to appear. He bought out the company and an attempt will be made to show by him the condition of the books when he took charge.
 The evidence yesterday was chiefly about the books. It was to the effect that the entries had been most irregular, ire quently transactions not being entered until later dates. In some cases there were big entries. both debit and credit, which have no date whatever. One of these transactions involved S600O. which was shown to have been paid into the firm and later the same amount was paid out to T. c. White There Is no check to show where he received this amount, and the prosecution Is trying to show that the firm never had that amount in cash which 1t could have paid to MT. White, who is said to have been the orig inal principal stock holder after whom the company was named.
 This $6000 transaction is regarded as somewhat of mystery as no one seems to know anything about it. The court was unable to find any further records about it, or any reason why it should have been paid out.
 Dawson's Testimony.
 One of the features of the hearing yes- terday was motion by the defense to throw out the testimony of J P Daw- son, who committed suicide about two weeks ago. The motion was made on the basis that his evidence was on direct examination, and that the defense had no chance to cross examine the witness, as his death prevented. Judge Feagin reserved his decision in this, and also several other points, in order to look up the law on them.
 The testimony yesterday was given by MT. Jones, an expert bookekeeper; MT. Camp, also an expert, and MT. Riddle, an operator in the White Commission company The latter took care of the books and his testimony was of decided interest. It showed that all the entries in the various books were made by Vel 1opc and all obaclxc draur hxy hin, and signed by him.
 Had Charge of Business.
 Mr. Riddle also testified that Wellons had entire charge of the business of the company, was secretary. treasurer and general manager. He testified that the entries on the books were badly mixed in their dates, and that several of them had no dates at all He did not know J. c. White was connected with the company, and did not know that $6OOO had been paid him, as the books showed He did not know why this money was paid White.
 The books and papers of the company which were introduced as evidence show ed that all business was transacted by Wellons until November IS, when the books were turned over and he severed his connection with the company It was also shown that Wellons obtained a margin from MT. Howard a day or two after he had severed his connection with the White Commission company.
 The prosecution was weakened by the death of MT. Dawson. as he was the prosecutions chief witness.