Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-04-26
DEFENSE BEGINS TESIM0N
Prosecution Rests Its Case Against
Henry c, Coll After Final Clean.
Up OF Its ENidenee-Crowd Pres.
ent To See Ex,5anker, Convict in
the Courtroom.

UlNuGnl INTO the lSuSEtA COulI SNSNSI~
day under guard "a testify in the case
Of II, G, Coll, former assistant cashier
OF the bank who is accused ot eeing
his accomplish in tae yisan .c $
of misrepresentation which joaparuaed
the safety Of the bank ami shocket,
Milwaukee as nothtUG else has Ton
in it's commercial history
Bigelow was accompanied by his
son, Gordon Bigelow, and Captain
Hefhst, the prlaua Guagu who a ia
charge Of him He was IaN,r
dately into the ante,roam. where the
Witnesses have been kept awaiting
their turn to testify.
The courtroom was crowded ana
even the small gallery was filled WITH
curious people anxious to gaze at the
famous criminal. Among those with
in the bar were Judge Brace of the
municipal court, who by invitation OF
Judge Quarles, occupied a seat upon
the bench. Many women were notice
able in the courtroom and William
Bigelow was among the spectators.
No other officer of the bank was pres
ent
Bigelow was called to the stand by
Attorney w. A, Rubin for the defense.
As the convict entered the courtroom
the audience was impressed with tho
change which a year has wrought IN
his appearance. He was dressed In tno
tnl, }, ,,rh H., an
Milwaukee for prison almost a yeat
ago, and he is much paler, thinner and
older looking that at that time
Heavy circles are under his eyes ami
lines are in his face that tell more
eloquently than could volumes Of
words of the suffering through which
he has passed.
BieeIow Stands Erect,
Bigelow entered the courtroom from
the witnesses anteroom when he
was called and walked with firm, even
steps to the witness stand He hclu
his head erect, looking neither to the
right or LEI, and appeared obllvious OF
the eager crowd of onlookers in the
courtroom
For an instant he stood at the
Of the witness stand. looking into the
face Of Judge Quarles, his friend for
many years, but not sign of recoS.
nition passed between them Only
the gravity and pallor of Judge
Quarles face showed the painfulness
Of the situation for him
Bigelow then raised his hand and
took the oath He seated himself
composedly his left leg thrown negli
gently across his right, his hands ~.
ing in his lap. and listened with close
attention to the argument which en-.
sued upon the first question which was
asked OF him
Questioned About Gordon.
AT various times between Septem.
Der 1904 and April 1905, what is the
fact as to Gordon Bigolow's being per.
mitted TO oyordraw his account and by
whose direction It was allowed, asked
Mr.. Rubin.
The question ELECTED an objection
from the government attorney and
short argument followed At last the
witness was permitted 70 answer
The room was as still as death.
Every ear was strained to catch the
Words OF the fallen fnancier with
voice as calm and even as In his palm.
les days Bigelow answered:
y do not think there was ever
specific instruction TO pay all OF
Gordons checks that might come in.
but ! always took care Of them"
What directions did you give con.
corning the holding Of his checks at
different times?"
The elected another objec In tho
government insisting that what direc
Ions were given BY the president to
the assistant cashier could not be
material. But the objection did not
bring ont the argument which was
looked for and the witness was per,
mitted to answer.
i cannot remember unless the spe.
cific items were given me. I think /
remember OF one or two checks being
held by the exchange teller" replied
Bigelow
Many Objections by Government
Throughout Bigelow's examination,
which was continually interrupted by
objections from the government at
torney, tho witness was thoroughly In
command OF himself and apparently
was completely selfpossesged. Once
or twice, when questions we're repeat
cd by the stenographer, he corrected
her, calling attention 10 the fact that
she did not read the question re-
quired. In fact he seemed more at
ease than any one else participating
In the trial, except the court
State what the fact Is as To charge
tickets being made by this defendant,
or credit tickets. either TO your ac-