The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-05-10
Prisoner in Famous Case
UnmOved During Open
ing by Prosecutor.
INSANITY EXPECTED
TO BE THE DEFENSE
Miss McKeoWn, Of Cincinnati,
Tells Story of Her Dealings
With Accused.

LlaI John G. Davis. now on trial
upon charges involving what is alleged
10 have been the most gigantic and
wholesale swindIe ever perpetrated In
Washington, used Thomas A. owen. a
bargemaster. and two women to assume
the unconscious role OF contractors, and
in this manner 20 negotiate large sums
for investment, IS the contention made
before the jury in Justice STAFFORD s
court BY Assistant District Attorney
James n Proctor, this morning
Davis, who was formerly a member Of
the District bar. and whose defense Il IS
thought wiz rest upon contentious that
he IS insane. sat throughout the District
Attorneys araig1Ilent this morning. his
unshaven face fulmob1e the greater
part OF the time
After 8Ir. Proctor had completed his
opening statement. Attorney Henry r
Davis. who is defending the prisoner
declared that he would reserve his open
ing statement
M Proctor declared to the Jury. who
were selected late yesterday afternoon.
that Davis has been engaged IN a eiean-
Tic fraudulent enterprise to cheat cfti-
zens OF Washington and nearby cities
The charges against him sIlege false
pretenses and embezzIement. ft being
claimed that he reaped a harvest Of
more than 10000 from investors. and
the indictments themselves auege the
Tnisapplication OF funds IN excess Of
$1,000.
Governments Case.
The prosecutor told the jury OF the
manner in which the Government cor
tends Davis obtained 5000 from Miss
Nellie lIcKeown. OF Cincinnati. and
Alexandra. upon representations that
he was obtaining loans 20 carry os
building operations
Mr. Proctor said that in negotiating
the loans Davis represented that he
desired them for the use OF Thomas
A Owen T. II Austin, and 3. F.. Wolf,
contractors. The Government has
promised 10 show that owen was a
barge captain Austin was in reality
Ellen n Austin. a sten0Erapher in
Government employ, and Volt was in
reality Miss Bertha r. Wolf. a clerk
in the Pension Office, with all Of
whom Davis had had financial deal
inEs. and all Of whom signed the
notes given By Davis, in blank. be
4leFlnS tuey were cplalnlIe setJle-
ments for previous Indebtedness.
Miss MCkeOWu was the first witness
70 take the stand. She declared thar
inauguration and met Davis socially
He told her. she said. that a contractor
named Owen desired $3.50 with which
10 buy lumber to AIRY on some build
ing operations. AID that Davis prom
ised 20 pay her 500 for the use Of the
money for a short time She SAYS she
did not have the money with her. but
wrote TO her Cincinnati brokers and
obtained the amount
Davis interrupts.
Miss MCkeOwn was asked If she was
ever told Of a man namGd Sission-
Davis Immediately broke In upon the
examination with the explanation. 'He
lives IN Alexandra
Mr. Davis. his attorney. tried TO re
strain lim. but Davis CONTINUED TO
contend 'NNelI, he does" He then
relapsed again into his former lassi-
tUde.
The defense viii, It is thought, put
experts on the stand to prove that
Davis was adjudged insane and com
uirted 10 the insane asylum at
i,aleigh. y C., in 1902. and that he is
sriT a sufferer from mental trouble
Upon the jury who viii pass upon
the fate of Davis are, William s
Harris, Thomas r. Rupert. T. r
Gasch, John IT. Nolan, William F. Cr-
ton, Benjamin +. King, George w
I'ittma1, George r Pyles, Joseph Cor
con. George r. Pulaski, and Norman
Taa--