The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-27
BUEESE SUFFERS
FROM BAD MEMORY
THE ROLLINS NOTES AGAIN.
FORMER BANK PRESIDENT Ex-
PLAINS HOW HE FORGED NAME.

His Relations With Mai. Rollins
We're Close and Intimate-said He
~oti6ed Present Postmaster what
He Had DOne-But the Major
promptly Denies He Did So and
saws He Didn't Know 1t Was Done
TptiI He Went Into Court.
charlotte, N. c., July 26.-William
preese was again under the fire of
Tis+rict Attorney Holton's cross ex-
animation in the United States Dis
rrict Court to-day, and was asked a
great many questions concerning his
account with the First National Bank
of Asheville, the transactions covering
several notes and other matters.
The witness answered some of the
questions directly, but in many in
stances. he stated that he did not re-
member. The district attorney hand
ed the witness number of checks,
which he had drawn on his account,
and asked him to explain for what
rurpose the money was used.
Breese told for what purposes the
money uG PlOCuICo VII q lew VI lIlC
checks was used. but he did not re-
member what went with the money
paid out on a majority of them.
Would Not Admit Untruth.
The purpose of the prosecution was
to show that the witness did not
state the truth when he testified that
his overdraft was created in the pay
Of Mt his iJ1doht a6n
10 the bank. but the witness would not
admit that his original statement was
untrue.
Breese again went over the Rollins
notes and explained why he had sign
ed the name of Maj. w. w. Rollins
(the present postmaster at Asheville),
to two notes for $1,000 each. Mai.
Rollins was out of town and it was
necessary to make payments on two
of his notes held by other banks.
His relations with Maj. Rollins were
close and intimate, and he did not
hesitate to sign the name of the alb
sent man to two notes, which We're
promptly forwarded to banks holding
other paper. Immediately he wrote
Mai. Rollins of his action, and this
was confirmed upon the return to
Asheville of Rollins, who signed a
note to take up the two other notes at
maturity.
Major Still Charges Forgery.
Maj. Rollins, who reiterated his testi-
mony of last week, when he charged
forgery.
Did you ever give Maj. Breese au-
thority to sign your name?" asked the
district attorney.
Il did not"
Did Maj. Breese write you a letter
or even speak to you concerning the
notes he had signed?"
He did not"
Did you ever have any knowledge
of the notes to which some one else
had signed your name?"
Not until came here to this court"
Under cross Maj. Roll
Inns was asked if the two notes he had
not signed did not about cover the in
terest on genuine notes he had made
and replied that he supposed it did.
When the bank failed, Maj. Rollins
did not know there was an outstand-
ing note against him. The condition
came to his knowledge when he was
sued on the notes. much to his sur
prise. for Breese had signed an agree
ment guaranteeing to hold him harm
less.
Holding Night Sessions.
The holding of night sessions began
tonight, the district attorney concern
ing himself principally with endeavor-
ing to show that Breese had drawn
money for the bank at various times
for other purposes than to renew notes.
There were accounts for about $1,000
from jewelers..
Where did you get that money!"
asked District Attorney Holton.
From the proceeds of the sale of
more than 1000 bushels of potatoes,
amounting to $1,000" said Breese.
What about the diamonds you
bought from an Asheville jeweler?"
asked Holton.
Diamonds for T. lends.
The defendant answered that he had
bought rings for friends who had aid
ed him when sorrow and death had in
vaded the household. Breese denied
that he bought any of the diamonds
with money from the bank.
The prosecution then offered num-
Der of checks and questioned Breese
about them. At 10 o'clock tonight
court adjourned. the district attorney
saying he had yet q few more ques-
tons to ask.