The Washington herald., 1915-06-11
LETTERS figure
in HENRY CASE
Court and Onlookers Weary
of Arguments in Prosecu-
ton of Broker.
NOTES DIFFER IN TONE
Nineteen Letters and Checks Identified
NOTES DIFFER IN TONE
Nineteen Letters and Checks Identified
by Mrs. Barclie. Who Appears
as First Witness.

United States Attorney John E.
Laskey and his aid. James Archer,
yesterday attempted to prove to a
Jury in Criminal Division of the Dis
trict Supreme Court that John Will
lam Henry, former member of the
bankrupt brokerage firm of Lewis
Johnson & Co, embezzled $41, 900 in
trusted to him by Mrs. Isabel Barclie,
of Wayne, Pa. for the purchase of
Mexican petroleum stock.
Laskey and Archer offered in evil
dence three letters apparently in
Henry's own handwriting, counseling
Mrs. Barclie about stock speculations
and acknowledging receipt of three
checks for an aggregate of $4,000.
In addition, the prosecution offered
other letters and checks for identi-
fcation. In all, nineteen letters and
checks were presented.
Attorneys Daniel Thew Wright and
+. NJ. Wampler, defending Henry. con-
tested every point and greatly impeded
the efforts of the prosecution to lay
the foundation of the case, until Mr.
Henry, sitting beside Mrs. Henry
would shift in his chair with obvious
Impotence.
The crowded court room contained
many spectators who grew weary of
the tedious and confusing legal maze
woven by Judge Wright and his as
SoSioec anu SpSSbdlOTS SOOH De-
gan leaving so that when court ad-
iourned. but few onlookers were
present. The contests between counsel
finally made Justice Siddons grow ap-
parently impatient and he said:
THE time of the court must not
be taken up with comments and
colloquies between counsel" Justice
Siddons then explained that the court
was willing to hear any valid OBJ
lection hV the defense and ren1v
by the prosecution.
Letters Differ in Tones.
Despite the courts statement, how
ever; the entire afternoon was devoted
20 the letters and checks. The most
striking of the letters alleged to
nave been written by Henry to Mrs
8arclie which were offered in evidence
and read to the jury were on the Of
ice paper of Lewis johnson & Co, ap-
parently in the handwriting Of Mr.
Henry himself. Three of these letters
follow:
Nv dear Mrs. Barklie: I received your not.
oday with check for 5000. Now. to be very plain
ind know you want to- think that it would
risky to carry 500 shares of stock on that margin
you it would be only about 1 per cent so
think you had better let sell 80 shares when
can get out cven-you must not mind my speaking
jlainly-I do think that you can make S. 600 or
5000 in a few months if You to hold the 800 !
hsres. Yours very truly, J. WILLIAM HENRY.
My dear Mrs Barklie: I very glad YOU have |
decided not to sell your stock. as feel sure we |
Sil have better times after while Thank you very
much for your check of $500. Yours very truly |
|. WILLIAM HENRY.
My dear Mrs Barklie: Thank you very much
or your check for 5000 | hope you will not
~y uron my advice in this matter I only
ell YOU what ] hear and believe but Archie will
ell that brokers opinion is not much better
1t vas made clear that in the last letter.
ny self. and paid higher than you did. and still |
it. Yours very truly. J. WILLIAM HENRY.
IdentificI by Mrs. Bnrc7ie.
1t was made clear that in the last letter, |
m which the statement Il bought some |
myself is made, the writer was referring
to Mexican Petroleum stock. Mrs. |
Barclie was the first witness called and /
she remained on the stand until adjourn !
nent. Her testimony had to do chiefly |
With the identification of letters alleged |
% have been written to her by Mr.. |
Henry. 1t is probable that Mrs. Barclie's
testimony will not be concluded until the |
md Of this mornings session.
On some of the letters presented were |
initials which Mrs. Barclie did not see
when she received the letters. 1t was ex-
planned that these initials were made
when the letters were being handled ''in
another proceeding and that witnesses
will he called to further identify the let
.erS