The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-30
LEBENTHAL SAYS
 HE ADVISED GORDON
 TO GIVE UP JEWELS

1 l TO GIVE UP JEWELS (Continued From First Page) Abraham Lebenthal, charged with | the theft of the jewels of Mrs. Charles M. Cole took the witness stand in the Superior Court yesterday afternon in l his own behalf, absolutely denying the stories of Morris Gordon, and MT. and Mrs. Holzmann, all of whom have stated that the Lebenthals had receiv- ed the stolen jewelry from young Cor don. The hearing of the defense took up all the time of the court yesterday and was resumed at this forenoon's session.
 LebenthaI testified that he has been located in business in this city for the past "A years, the last three years in the general merchandise business at Newf1eld and Stratford avenues and IF years before that on Water Street in gents furnishing business. He stated that he owned the building where he was now established and that he and his wife owned considerable realty be- sides LebenthaIs story follows: "In July Gordon came to my store in a new suit of clothes. I asked him where he got the money to get the clothes. I asked him if he was knock ing down again. No he said have struck luck, I found some jewelry. l told him the best thing for him to do was to return the jewels. Try and be honest, told him. Later he came to my store and said he had been in New York and sold some of the jew elry. We argued about the return and he said he would put a bullet through my heart, if I told on him. After this I did not speak to him or anyone else about the jewelry. never saw any of the jewelry, or know nothing
 
 has told me, or never had any of the proceeds of the sale of the jewelry."
 On cross examination the witness stated that he had told Gordon that if he would be honest, he would set him up in business but would not do so if he were dishonest. He explain ed his laxity in looking after the young man, after he had come into his store with a new suit on, because he had lost all interest in him. Wit ness denied that he had taken bills out of the woolen bag and changed them foriones out of his till as he fear ed the ones in the bag might be mark ed.
 Witness also denied that he prom ised to have lawyers defend the young man in case he was arrested. The witness also denied all the other state ments made by young Gordon, and also of MT. HolZmann in regard to g1vlng up the jewels. Also denied that he handed young Gordon the false Jew elry in his store. Denied that Cor don hadx come to him and told him the stones were bogus. Denied that he had ever said that his wife might have changed the stones"
 Under cross examination the witness tisement in the newspapers relative to the reward for the return of the jewels. He stated that he took a morning paper, but did not read it as he could not understand English print, only that he could read the baseball scores. He stated that his wife did all the correspondence for his busi- ness, and that a short time ago he had a little girl, a. Miss Horowltz Of Newfield avenue, employed in his store who also did his correspondence. The witness named a number of New York firms with whom he did business. He stated that the entire matter of the return of the jewels to their owner did Gordon. He knew they were not re- turned The witness denied that he had ever heard >Blftt's story about Holzmann trying to sell jewelrv until he heard it in court from Blitt him self He admitted that he did see Blitt last Sunday, but could not re- member what time.
 Mrs. Eva Rerniz of g Wall street, mother-in-law of Lebenthal, testified that Holzmann was at her home on July 4th and she saw him call Blitt out of the room. Under cross exami- nation witness stated that there had always been bad blood between Leben- thai and Holzmann. She denied that she had gone to young Gordon about two weeks ago and asked him to go away from the city and not testify.
 Another New York witness wa4 sprung yesterday afternoon. Vale Kop- West 2Sth street Kopisar said: "On the afternoon of July 9th met Gordon on Stratford avenue as he was getting his shoes mended at a. cobblers. He approached me and said: Vale. I've got something to tell you, something would not even tell my father. found a bag of jewels on a car, and if you want some will sell them cheap. He said he would go to his Uncle Holz- mann's house where the diamonds Then Gordon told me that I was an honest man, and would like to go in business with me- but told him did not want to change my present business. He further said that his Uncle Hickman would not have to work hard any more'
 Under cross examination the witness stated that he was a cousin of MT. Blitt and worked fer him. He stated that he came to this city just after LebenthaPs arrest, and told him his story He stated that he had spoken to MT. Blitt in New York about the jewels, though when Bl1tt was on the stand in the morning he stated that he had not talked with anybody. Kopi- sar stated that he had gone to Sea- side Park before breakfast on the morning of July 9th and met Gordon on his way back. The witness became somewhat confused about his meeting with Gordon. On one occasion he stated that he had left him at the cob bler's and on another that he went with him, to Uncle Holzmann's house.
 coi6 cI, fF the Holzmann house last week and told Mrs. Holzmann that 1t would seem quite unfair for a sister to go into court and testify against her brother. Mrs. Holzmann and Leben- thai beng brother and sister. Mrs Holzmann said she must go to the trial as it was her husbands wish and he was nearer to her than her brother. The witness when questioned said she did not know it was against the law. to try and persuade a witness not to testify.