The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-22

pad the Scoffield & Allen bill and 1
could do the same with the Steffel
bill.
Testimony of Charles H. Brown in
w. Fl. Johnson Case.
This evidence was like a bombshell
thrown suddenly into the camp Of
the defendant to-day, and when the
smoke of the trial has cleared away,
it is predicted that the damage will
be Of grave moment to the former
superintendent Of the poor depart
ment under Mayor Ames.
Without any warning the man. who
attempted to pose all day yesterday
as innocent Of any guilt, notwith-
standing the damaging admissions
Wrung from him by the most insistent
CROSS examination, took the stand this
morning, admitted his guilty COM
pltcity in extensive and carefully
planned frauds, laid bare an appalling
condition of official rottenness, made
direct charges against Johnson, his
co-conspirator, and frankly said that
he had lied yesterday.
Browns evidence of yesterday was
practically nullified so far as it's bene-
fit to the states case was concerned, by
the painful embarrassment and hesi-
tation Of the witness and by its nu
merous and glazing inconsistencies.
To-day he was a different man. De-
termination showed in every line Of
his face as he took the stand. Look
ing directly at his questioners he
answered every query promptly, gave
explanations with no visible embar-
rassment and in every way testified in
g. convincing and asSertiVe way that
could not fail to make the jury stop
and consider what he was saying.
Knew Orders Were Spurious.
He was called to the stand amid a
breathless silence. Everyone in the
room, except Assistant County Attor
ney Jelley and the witness Won
dered what was coming next. After
ley asked:
What did Mr.. Johnson say to you
in regard to those orders?"
HE simply told me to. make them
out for those addresses" replied the
witness.
did you, at the time those orders
were made out and attached to the
bill, know that they were spurious 2"
Eyes, sir"
"Why did you fill them out?"
Because Mr.. Johnson suggested it."
Nov, Mr.. Brown, I want you to
tell this court and jury the exact truth
Of this whole transaction"
And the witness, after thinking a
moment, made the startling declara-
t0q qro dnas n6Gye Of In
>
Brown testified that he never received
any Of the money from the Scof1eld g.
Allen bills and that Mr. Johnson had
handled all the money received and
expended in the office in March.
Mr.. Hall then began a cross examl-
nation calculated to weaken the wit
ness, but his efforts failed to meet
with the success that was so marked
yesterday.
Definite Plan Followed.
"You were to have all you could
pad on Joseph Steffel's bill. and John
son was to have what he could pad
on the scofleld & Allen bill? Is that
right?" asked the attorney.
Yes, sir"
did Mr.. Johnson tell you how you
were to proceed?'
Eyes, sir; he did,"
Outlined the whole plan, did hep
eyes, sir"
"Have you told us that plan?"
"Wel1, T can't tell you any more
than that it was to add false items tc
grocery bills"
Pursuant to that method. you go1
out the orders mentioned in this
case?"
Eyes, slr.''
''You are capable Of Disgusting your
handwriting, are you not, Mr.. Brown p
mo, sir. That Is, I never attempt
ed It, Some times T write more rap.
idly than at others
Calling the witness attention to {
signature on a warrant stub which
did not resemble closely his usua
chirography, Mr.. Hall asked:
Didn't you write that signature ir
D. disguised hand?"
mo, sir; T did not"
isn't that your writing?"
Eyes, sir; but I wrote it with ar
old pen and hurriedly. There wa
att Oh let,
Every well. Now, Mr.. Brown, how
did it happen that you changed youl
mind in regard to your transactions
with Mr.. johnson since yesterday
You did it when you were brough
face to face with your falseness il
yesterdays cross examination, die
you not?"
mo, sir.'
Decided to Tell All.
"Where and when did you get an,
new light on the subject?"
by thinking it over last night
"All by yourself?"
Eyes, sir; all by myself
"But you didn't tell the truth yes
terday? You testified falsely, didn'
your"
IT may have, in two or three in
stances"
will you specify those two o
three instances?'
II don't believe cam
mo, I think it would be prett,
hard to pick them out. Did johnson
tell you to falsify your records?"
mo, sir"
Then you tended to all that par
of it and fixed Steffefs account b,
yourself?"
''I admitted that yesterday"
How much did you swell his bill !?
II didn't keep any record of it."
The cross-examination lasted unit
1880, but nothing new was develope,
with the exception of an admission
by the witness that he raised a bill O
the Home Trade Shoe company from
(Continued on Third Paee.l