The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-23
.CORNWELL'S TRIAL
PROCEEDS. SLOWLY
Only Two Material Witnesses
Have Been Examined
MAY HOLD NIGHT SESSIONS
Famous Bessemer Savings Bank Case
Attracts Little Attention-Cockreli
Tells of Banks Transactions
While He Was an officer.
BY JOHN T. EVANS.

JOf1N - Nv FNiNOs
Bessemer December Especial AL
though the trial of Thomas ]. Cornwell
the former president of the wrecked Bes-
semer Savings bank, has been on all OF
this week, only two material witnesses
have been examined The indications are
that the trial will continue for several
days, if not all of next week. 1t has
been suggested that a night session be
held commencing tomorrow. Judge VII
liam Jackson. presiding in the city court
of Bessemer, will pass on this matter to-
day. If night sessions are to be held the
first will take place tonight
H. d, Cockrel1, cashier of the Besse-
mer Savings bank at the time the insti-
tuition was found to be insolyent, on
-une &C. 1902 and q brother-in-law of tho
defendant, was the main witness ex-
lmlned today. He was followed by Expert
Osborne of Birmingham, who examined
the books Of the bank shortly after the
flight of its president. This witness was
examined at length by the state then by
the defense, and he left the witness stand
understanding that he might be recalled
by either side before the trial comes to
an end. Witness Osborne went into the
findings in detail. he being closely ex-
amned. Mr.. Osborne is employed, he tes-
tilted on the stand. as hookkeeper in
the First National bank of Birming-
ham.
When Balllff Fountain called court to
order this morning at o'clock there was
but a single spectator in the court room.
Others arrived during the progress of
the morning session, but at no time
were many spectators in the court room.
cockreil Resumes.
II. d. Cockrell, cashier of the bank,
and a brother-in-law of the defendant,
resumed the stand. The witness identified
several entries made in the books of the
bank offered in evidence by the state
Wednesday afternoon and allowed by
Judge Jackson. Most of the entries iden-
titled by the witness were in the hand
writing of Mr.. Guthrie, a boolIkeeper en-
poyed by the institution.
phe court then admitted the batch Of
deposit slips offered in evidence.
who was in charge of the bank when
it closed ON June 10, 1903?' asked Attorney
Scott.
81 was" replied Witness Cockrell.
did you find any funds in the vault
that day other than the deposits of the
day."
Objection Overruled.
I'VE object" said the defense.
"overruled," said the court.
Il have no way of telling" said the
witness in reply to the question.
WAS Cornwell there on that day."
HE was not"
when was the last time you saw Corn
well?"
June 8; said he was going to Walker
when did you see him again?p
IN New Orleans"
"When?'
Last June. lie said he was going to
Abbeville, La. for medical treatment
Had just returned to United States
State then offered in evidence letters
said to have been written by defendant
just previous to his flight. This told of the
loss of the money through the stock ex-
changes in an attempt to win back los
ing of $42, 600
I'VE object" said the defense.
"Overruled," said the court.
DO you identify the handwriting of the
document as that of cornwell?' asked
the attorney for the state.
Il do" replied Cockrell.
Witness Cockrell testified that state
ment of the banks condition had been
prepared by Mr.. Osborne. There was con-
siderable argument relative to tie ad-
OF the statement.
do you know where this statement Is
now?" asked Attorney Scott.
NO, sir"
Attorney Scott, with the permission OF
the court, retired for a few moments
to his office He returned with a large
batch of papers and then asked the Wit
ness:
rs this the statement?"
I'VE object" said the defense.
I'm that it will be saving of time
l will admit the statement" said Judge
Jackson. 1T would be a difficult task 40
go through the books and records of the
hank and get new statement
After hearing arguments at length the
court held that the witness could iden-
tify the statement.
when you made an examination of the
books of the bank, did you find a short
age?" was the revised question PROFOUND
ed to the witness by Attorney Scott.
An objection to the question was OBJ
jected to by the defense, and it was sus-
tanned.
Were the balances drawn on the day
of the examination"
"'rhe balance can be found on the gem
eral balance book"
Concerning the Balance.
did you assist in drawing that bal
ance?'
Yes"
Ibid the bank have q general book
keeper
Yes"
who was hep"
Il handled these books
WAS any balance drawn up on March
81, 1900 showing the condition of the bank
when Captain Cornwel took charger"
There was some sort of balance
drawn at that time"
Ibid you assist in drawing it up?"
Yes"
Was a balance drawn showing the
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