Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-11
Repeatedly interrupts Pro-
ceedings at His Trial.
COUNSEL Restraints HIM
Admits He Induced Ella N. Austin
to Sign Notes in Blank.
CALLED THIEF" BY LAWYER
Miss McKeown's Attorney Says He
Told Prisoner His Place
Was in Jail.


Eyes got her to sign those notes. and
j am responsible for IL.
You ought not to bother her with
those questions blurted out John c. Da-
Wis. the lawyer. on trial in Criminal Court
No. =, before Justice Stafford and a jury,
on charge of false pretenses and en-
bexzlement during the examination Of one
Of the witnesses this morning.
The prisoner also interrupted the testi-
mony of Thomas A. Owen, when the lat
ter was narrating his experiences with the
prisoner.
Attorney Henry E. Davis. counsel for
the defense. and the deputy marshal in
charge OF the prisoner were kept busy
trying to restrain the defendant from fur
Their interrupting the trial
Government Case Is In.
At 11:2O O'Clock this morning United
States Attorney Wilson announced to the
court the conclusion of the governments
ease in chief. Attorney Henry E. Davis
was surprised at the sudden termination
of the testimony for the prosecution, and
obtained permission from Justice Stafford
for postponement of the case until to-
morrow.
Mr.. Davis stated that the illness of Mar
tin +. Davis, brother Of the defendant,
who will be an important witness for the
defense, was one reason for desiring the
delay.
The defense is expected to conclude its
testimony next Monday. If the rebuttal
OF the government is not too prOtracted
the case ought to go TO the jury by the
following Thursday.
Among the experts to be called by the
government to offset the plea of insanity
expected from the defense are: DR.. Smith
Ely Jeliffe. who testified i'm the Thaw
trial: DR.. E. NJ. Brush of the Shepherd
Pratt Hospital of Maryland: DIR. William
A. White, superintendent of the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane; DIR. Presley
c. Hunt and DIR. d. X. Shute, local alien
lists. A number of lay witnesses will tes-
tify to the sanity OF the defendant short
~ before his arrest.
Davis Dressed Down by Lawyer.
William G. Johnson of the Washington
bar was the first witness to testify this
morning. Attorney Johnson told of his
interviews with the prisoner regarding
the claim OF Miss McKeown, in which
Davis reiterated the statements made
to Miss McKeown when he obtained her
money.
Mr.. Johnson said he told Davis he did
not believe his statement: that he thought
him "a thief and scoundrei, and that his
place was the penitentiary." Davis told
witness the remark was harsh and I'M
kind. and that he would find Miss Nc
Keowns money was amply secured, and
would be repaid in a few days.
Miss Ella NJ. Austin. a stenosrapher In
the Department of Agriculture was next
called. She testified that she became &C
Suainted with Davis some years ago in
the Bible class of Metropolitan NJ. T..
Church, which led to visits from Davis
to her fathers home on the latter's in
vitation-
At his solicitation, she said. she gave
money to Davis for investment and also
had him sell lot for her, which he re-
ported to have sold on monthly pay
ment plan. The proceeds. she declared.
Davis said he was receiving and reinvest-
ing monthly for her.
When shown by United States Attorney
Wilson a large number of blank prom
issory notes bearing her signature, found
by Detective Grant in the raid on Davis
ONCE, last May, she identified her sigma
ture. Witness said Davis had requested
her to sign them, telling her they were
receipts which he desired to keep on
hand, to be filled out and delivered to
the purchaser Of her lot as the monthly
payments matured.
Davis Interrupts Proceedings.
1t was while Miss Austin was examin-
ing the notes that Davis acknowledged
his responsibility for them and requested
the witness.
Mr.. Wilson showed Miss Austin a note
for $500. given by Davis to DR.. Wilkins
Of Alexandra, with the statement that
Davis had invested that amount OF Will
kins money with z. III. Austin, large
although admitting her signature, denied
ever signing such note.
Testimony Of Thomas A. Owen.
Thomas A. Owen. the river captain, who
was Also IL Is claimed, among the local
contractors for whom Davis was EN-
ployed to procure money to aid in their
extensive enterprises. followed Miss Aus
tin on the witness stand.
He testified that he had known Davis
for many years. and had intrusted him
to attend TO all his financial affairs,
including the collection of debts due
him. the payment of interest and re-
duction of principal on membranes
existing against his residence and the
steam barge which he operated on the
Potomac.
A number Of notes had been signed
by him for Davis in blank at the re-
quest of the defendant. who. he de-
elared, represented the notes to be used
In adjusting his financial affairs.
Owen said he had never been con-
to have represented, but had always
been engaged solely on the river.
Tells Of Davis Solicitations.
After The Stars report closed yester-
day DIR. r. Lee Wilkins of Alexandria
told how Davis had procured $4,000
from him on the statement that Davis
had opportunities to invest the money at
large profit among Washington builders.
who included Thomas A. Owen, z. NJ.
Austin and B. F. Wolfe.
Miss Bertha F. Wolfe a clerk in the
pension Office. was the last witness ex-
amined yesterday. She had also been q
member Of the Bible class with Davis.
and testified to her financial experiences
with him. which about aparalleled those
Of Miss Austin.
Through Time-Colored Glasses.