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The trips on Nos. 38113, 38145, and 40113 were increased from 3 to 7 per week, and one trip was added on No. 46247. No action was taken in regard to the others.

I had previously furnished Mr. Bosler a tabulated statement showing what the pay on the seven routes would be when the trips were increased to daily. At Willard's Hotel, one evening soon after the orders were made, Mr. Bosler, taking from his pocket this tabulated statement, said to me, "Supposing I had to pay $10,000 for all these increases, what per cent. would I have to pay for 38113, 38145, and 40113?” I answered, "How about the additional trip on 46247?" He replied, "That is all right, it has been settled for." I made the calculations and told him that the increases amount to 57 per cent. of the gross amount.

When the investigation began under the Garfield administration I saw from the public prints that the authorities were getting down to the substantial facts. After reflection I decided for myself to tell the truth and take the consequences, though well aware that my course would lead to the severance of long-continued business and social relations. With this end in view I sought the interview with PostmasterGeneral James, and the statements made by me at the Arlington Hotel to Messrs. James, Clayton, and Woodward were true. The statements subsequently made by me to Attorney-General MacVeagh were also true, though in his testimony he quoted me incorrectly on some immaterial points.

After thus committing myself I determined acting under the countenance of the Attorney-General to save ex-Senator Dorsey, if possible, as well as to furnish written proof to sustain all I had told. I accordingly went to New York City, starting at 9 o'clock p. m., June 12, 1881. I first went to the office of Dorsey and secured the journal which contained the original entries both in my writing and in that of Donnelly. I then called upon Dorsey at the Albemarle Hotel. He received me angrily, nay, furiously, having learned of my disclosures, as he alleged, from Mr. S. B. Elkins, as I believe, from A. M. Gibson. He remarked that no step was taken but what he was fully advised of it. Finding him in no frame of mind to discuss matters reasonably I soon rose to leave. He was still in his night-clothes, and, as I was about to close the door, remarked that he wished to see me again as soon as he had dressed. On reaching the street I grew more and more indignant at his treatment. Without returning to the Albemarle I started for Washington, reaching Jersey City about one hour before the departure of the afternoon train. Thence I telegraphed to Dorsey as follows:

"The affidavit story is a lie; but confidence between us is gone. I resign my position, and will turn everything over to any one you designate." At Philadelphia two dispatches, both from Dorsey, were handed me. The first ran substantially," Why did you leave without seeing me again? Return by first train to New York."

The second: "Will you ruin my wife and children. Return to New York and all will be made right. I will not accept your resignation."

I answered from Baltimore:

"I can do no good by returning. Will do nothing to injure you, but send some one to take my place."

The next morning I received by mail a long, pathetic, and fervent appeal from Dorsey, imploring me to do nothing to disgrace him and his family. This letter I showed at once to my brother, J. H. Rerdell. The same morning United States Senator sent me a message to come at once to the National Hotel. I complied. He proceeded to say that he had left Dorsey the night before nearly crazy; that he had already been terribly punished by the scandal; that since March 4th he had fallen from a dizzy height, and that I had nothing but rain to gain by making disclosures. By way of warning he pointed to the fate of the witnesses in the whisky cases. The interview lasted a couple of hours and left me unshaken in my purpose. That night I telegraphed to Dorsey that I was doing all I could to save him. He replied by wire that he knew of nothing he wanted to be saved from. The next day I met James Torrans, United States marshal, for Eastern Arkansas. I said to him that this foolishness had gone far enough, that the time had come for Dorsey to make a clean breast. In this view Torrans acquiesced.

On the Sunday morning next after the above interviews, Dorsey arrived in Washington, and sent for me to to come to his house, 1121 I street. He met me at the door an unusual proceeding-shooks hands cordially, and led me to the office. He made the most eloquent and effective appeals to me, dwelling particularly upon his wife and children. I replied that I would do anything in the world for him except perjure myself. He replied, "What in hell does an oath amount to when the fate of a friend is at stake. Under such circumstances I would not hesitate."

Meanwhile Mr. J. W. Bosler came in and entered into the conversation. The talk continued from about 10 o'clock a. m. till 3 p. m.

Bosler and I then left, walking down to Willard's Hotel together. Thence I went home to dinner, having promised to return immediately afterwards, which I did. On reaching his hotel room we resumed the conversation. I then repeated to him

annual salary of $2,000, to go wherever the exigencies of the business might require. On route No. 38145 he made the subcontracts with P. J. Jaramillo and J. L. Sanderson & Co. He also effected the final compromise with Jaramillo. His connection with the partnership ceased in December, 1880.

While John W. Dorsey, in connection with Miner, may have had a small interest in the business prior to the division of the routes, I know that he held no interest after the dissolution of April, 1879. On two occasions he was employed to travel, once to California and once to Southwestern Colorado, at a salary of $125 per month. His total compensation did not exceed $400, and he drew no dividends. When drafts or warrants as pay on any of the service required his indorsement as the nominal contractor, I sent them to him. He signed them as a matter of form and returned them to me.

The connection of John M. Peck with the partnership was also merely formal. No share of the profits ever went to him after the management fell into my hands, and I have no reason to think that he ever received one cent.

For myself I wish to say that, excepting an annual salary of $3,000, I never had any pecuniary interest in any of the routes embraced in the indictment. Where I appeared as subcontractor it was to enable my principals to hypothecate drafts for the full amount of the pay by attaching my receipts thereto. Wherever the record shows that I received either pay or remission, I accounted for the last cent to Dorsey and Bosler, holding no beneficial interest therein.

After March, 1880, I drew my pay from J. W. Bosler and reported to him, he exercising entire supervision. At that time Dorsey was engrossed in mining speculations, and later on in the Presidential contest.

In August, 1880, Dorsey passed through Washington, en route to Indiana. He, Bosler, and Brady had a meeting at Chamberlin's. Immediately afterwards Bosler directed me to make out a list of all fines and deductions, and where I had no proof to explain the failures to write to the different subcontractors to furnish it. He added, "Brady has agreed to make the remissions. We have got to pay like the devil for it, but half a loaf is better than no loaf."

In addition to $750, which went to A. S. Powers, of Oregon, nearly $4,000 were remitted. Shortly afterwards, on Bosler's books, I saw an item of $2,000 charged to expense. I knew it could refer to no other transaction. It will be seen that the remission cost about 50 per cent. of the claims.

A vigorous effort was made to secure remissions aggregating over $20,000 on route No. 40104, being deductions imposed for the gross failures of Isaac Jennings. I always understood that Brady was ready to sign the orders, but S. M. Lake, chief of the inspection division, resisted, and Brady hesitated to act over the head of his subor

dinate.

I now step out of the current of my narrative to mention a few illustrative facts. On route No. 38135, Pueblo to Greenhorn, I interpolated the words "on quicker time" and "a faster schedule," after the receipt of the papers in Washington, supposing that the petitioners had neglected to ask for expedition. It was not till the trial that I discovered that some of the petitions originally asked for expedition.

On route No. 41119 Stephen W. Dorsey instructed me to fill up one of the Peck oaths, made the previous January, so as to yield an increase of about 150 per cent. for expedition. I was then a novice, and made the number of men and animals required on the existing schedule absurdly small, but observed the proportion suggested by my employer.

On route No. 38134 two affidavits, both sworn to before Rufus Wainright, April 21, 1879, were filed, one May 6 and the other May 8; both were signed J. W. Dorsey, subcontractor. In both affidavits I filled in the number of men and animals. Turner. the contract clerk, objected to the first on the ground that it claimed too large an equipment for so short a line. To meet his views I substituted the second, the percentage of increase, viz, 200, being the same in each. The word "subcontractor was written under the name of J. W. Dorsey, though he had nothing whatever to do with the route. The same description, equally without authority, was appended to his affidavit used on route No. 38140. In the latter instance the addition was made by S. W. Dorsey; in the former, I think, by myself.

Early in 1881 Mr. Bosler asked me if I had petitions for daily service on seven specified routes. I replied on all except one, viz, No. 38113. He then directed me to lose no time in procuring them on that line. I wrote to Eugene Taylor, urging him to have petitions for daily service in Washington by March 1. One came about March 2. Upon this Col. J. W. Steele obtained the favorable indorsement of General W. T. Sherman. It was filed in the Department the 5th, and favorably acted upon the sth. The scheme contemplated the following increases: Route No. 35113, from 3 to 7 trips per week; route No. 38135, from 3 to 7 trips per week; route No. 38140, from 3 to 7 trips per week; route No. 38145, from 3 to 7 trips per week; route No. 40113, from 3 to 7 trips per week; route No. 44140, from 3 to 7 trips per week; route No. 46247, from 6 to 7 trips per week.

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The trips on Nos. 38113, 38145, and 40113 were increased from 3 to 7 per week, and one trip was added on No. 46247. No action was taken in regard to the others.

I had previously furnished Mr. Bosler a tabulated statement showing what the pay on the seven routes would be when the trips were increased to daily. At Willard's Hotel, one evening soon after the orders were made, Mr. Bosler, taking from his pocket this tabulated statement, said to me, "Supposing I had to pay $10,000 for all these increases, what per cent. would I have to pay for 38113, 38145, and 40113?" I answered, "How about the additional trip on 46247?" He replied, "That is all right, it has been settled for." I made the calculations and told him that the increases amount to 57 per cent. of the gross amount.

When the investigation began under the Garfield administration I saw from the public prints that the authorities were getting down to the substantial facts. After reflection I decided for myself to tell the truth and take the consequences, though well aware that my course would lead to the severance of long-continued business and social relations. With this end in view I sought the interview with PostmasterGeneral James, and the statements made by me at the Arlington Hotel to Messrs. James, Clayton, and Woodward were true. The statements subsequently made by me to Attorney-General MacVeagh were also true, though in his testimony he quoted me incorrectly on some immaterial points.

After thus committing myself I determined acting under the countenance of the Attorney-General to save ex-Senator Dorsey, if possible, as well as to furnish written proof to sustain all I had told. I accordingly went to New York City, starting at 9 o'clock p. m., June 12, 1881. I first went to the office of Dorsey and secured the journal which contained the original entries both in my writing and in that of Donnelly, I then called upon Dorsey at the Albemarle Hotel. He received me angrily, nay, furiously, having learned of my disclosures, as he alleged, from Mr. S. B. Elkins, as I believe, from A. M. Gibson. He remarked that no step was taken but what he was fully advised of it. Finding him in no frame of mind to discuss matters reasonably I soon rose to leave. He was still in his night-clothes, and, as I was about to close the door, remarked that he wished to see me again as soon as he had dressed. On reaching the street I grew more and more indignant at his treatment. Without returning to the Albemarle I started for Washington, reaching Jersey City about one hour before the departure of the afternoon train. Thence I telegraphed to Dorsey as follows:

"The affidavit story is a lie; but confidence between us is gone. I resign my position, and will turn everything over to any one you designate."

At Philadelphia two dispatches, both from Dorsey, were handed me. The first ran substantially," Why did you leave without seeing me again? Return by first train to New York."

The second: "Will you ruin my wife and children. Return to New York and all will be made right. I will not accept your resignation."

I answered from Baltimore:

"I can do no good by returning. Will do nothing to injure you, but send some one to take my place."

The next morning I received by mail a long, pathetic, and fervent appeal from Dorsey, imploring me to do nothing to disgrace him and his family. This letter I showed at once to my brother, J. H. Rerdell. The same morning United States Senator sent me a message to come at once to the National Hotel. I complied. He proceeded to say that he had left Dorsey the night before nearly crazy; that he had already been terribly punished by the scandal; that since March 4th he had fallen from a dizzy height, and that I had nothing but ruin to gain by making disclosures. By way of warning he pointed to the fate of the witnesses in the whisky cases. terview lasted a couple of hours and left me unshaken in my purpose.

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That night I telegraphed to Dorsey that I was doing all I could to save him. He replied by wire that he knew of nothing he wanted to be saved from. The next day I met James Torrans, United States marshal, for Eastern Arkansas. I said to him that this foolishness had gone far enough, that the time had come for Dorsey to make a clean breast. In this view Torrans acquiesced.

On the Sunday morning next after the above interviews, Dorsey arrived in Washington, and sent for me to to come to his house, 1121 I street. He met me at the door an unusual proceeding-shooks hands cordially, and led me to the office. He made the most eloquent and effective appeals to me, dwelling particularly upon his wife and children. I replied that I would do anything in the world for him except perjure myself. He replied, "What in hell does an oath amount to when the fate of a friend is at stake. Under such circumstances I would not hesitate."

Meanwhile Mr. J. W. Bosler came in and entered into the conversation. The talk continued from about 10 o'clock a. m. till 3 p. m.

Bosler and I then left, walking down to Willard's Hotel together. Thence I went home to dinner, having promised to return immediately afterwards, which I did. On reaching his hotel room we resumed the conversation. I then repeated to him

the admissions I had made to Mr. MacVeagh. He argued that this did no essential harm, as in an Indian investigation he was once confronted by a witness to whom the had made compromising admissions, when he escaped by acknowledging the admissions, and by claiming that he was not under oath at the time, and that they were made for the expres purpose of entrapping his accuser. He added that I was now in exactly the same fix, and if I would make ad affidavit on that line Messrs. James and MacVeagh would be driven out of the Cabinet inside of ten days.

The next day I began the preparation of the affidavit, Dorsey and Bosler being present and offering frequent suggestions. The last two or three pages of manuscript were written by Dorsey and copied by me. When the paper was completed, although I was exhausted and hungry, Bosler insisted that it should be sworn to before I dined. We drove to Middleton's bank, where the notary affixed his jurat. A copy was then made by Miss Nettie White, when the original was sent to President Garfield, or rather was taken by Messers. Ingersoll and Dorsey in person to the White House. I accompanied them and remained in the ante-room expecting to be called in. While seated there I saw Messrs. James, Cook, and Woodward enter the house. About 10 o'clock Dorsey and I left together, Ingersoll remaining. This occurred the week the President was shot, the presentation of the paper having been delayed by his absence at Long Branch.

At my first interview with Messrs. James and Woodward, I warned them not to trust either William A. Cook or A. M. Gibson, as I fully believed those men would betray the Government. I distrusted Gibson, because I had seen him at the house of Dorsey during the Congressional investigation, and because he was charged with a donation of stock on Dorsey's books. I distrusted Cook, because he was holding secret communication with Dorsey after accepting employment from the Government.

One morning I was sent to Cook with a note from Dorsey. I met him on the office stairs, when he motioned me back, saying, "You should not be seen here for reasons which I cannot explain now, but which will soon become apparent."

The same night I took a second note to Cook, going to his house and thence to his office, where I found him. On reading it he said, "All right. Tell him I will be at his house at 11 o'clock.

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He came; I met him at the door. He asked if Dorsey was alone. I informed him that he was with callers, upstairs. He then said "I will step in here, as I do not wish to be seen." Thereupon I conducted him into a dark unfurnished parlor, taking in a chair from another room. As soon as the visitors went away Dorsey came down and took a seat with Cook in the unlighted room. They were still in conference when I left, about midnight.

The following day the employment of Cook by the Government was publicly announced. When I referred to the fact Dorsey said, with a smile, "That is all right." While I was incarcerated in September, 1882, my office was entered and a large number of papers taken therefrom. Others were torn into shreds and scattered upon the floor. Among the papers stolen were the original drafts, partly in writing of Dorsey, of my affidavit addressed to President Garfield; a copy of the letter of May 13, 1879, written by Dorsey to Bosler; complete copies of the Wilcox correspondence; two balance-sheets prepared by J. W. Donnelly, one showing the charges to "Smith' and "Jones," and the other the same items carried to profit and loss; a package of blank affidavits for expeditions signed by J. W. Dorsey and John M. Peck; the memorandum showing the number of shares of mining stock donated to Tyner, Turner, and Gibson, and many others. Stephen W. Dorsey had a key to my office.

My salary, at $3,000 per annum, was continued without interruption till August 1,

1882.

On the routes where I was the nominal subcontractor I had been in the habit of filing receipts for the full amount of pay with the drafts of Mr. Bosler. Last fall drafts on blanks signed by Miner, Peck, and J. W. Dorsey were made out by me for the rest of the contract term and delivered to Mr. Bosler. By some oversight Bosler filed those for the quarter ended December 31, 1881, without attaching my receipt as subcontractor. My attention was called to the omission in January, 1882, by Deputy Auditor Crowell. Believing that indictments and prosecutions which would involve me in expense were coming, I determined not to file my receipt on route No. 41119, but to draw the pay as subcontractor. I did so, paying Nephi Johnson $2,500 and reserving for myself $2,327.83. This constituted a part of the $3,000 which I lost in an option on the Rawley mine, through overconfidence in Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. The foregoing statement, believed to be absolutely correct, is made up largely from memory, fortified in part by the record and in part by the papers saved from the wreck.

Subscribed and sworn to before me November 22, 1882.

MONTFORT C. RERDELL.

P. H. WOODWARD,
Post-Office Inspector"

Supplementary statement from Montfort C. Rerdell.

I, Rerdell, left for the West the night of July 11, 1878, and not July 6, as previously stated.

July 11, 1878, Stephen W. Dorsey placed to the credit of J. W. Dorsey & Co., in the German-American National Bank, $3,000, being the net proceeds of two notes that day discounted. The notes were drawn by J. W. Dorsey & Co., endorsed by S. W. Dorsey and by J. W. Dorsey & Co., I writing the signature of the latter under the direction of S. W. Dorsey. The money was loaned on the exclusive credit of S. W. Dorsey.

The same day at his own house the Senator gave me $1,500 in money. Of this I placed to the credit of J. W. Dorsey & Co. in the German-American Bank $500, and took the rest with me in currency. In addition to the above $4,500, Stephen W. Dorsey gave two notes for $1,000 and $2,500, respectively, drawn by J. W. Dorsey & Co., and indorsed by himself, either to J. R. Miner or to me, I do not clearly remember which. Like the previous advances the proceeds were also to be used, if necessary, in putting the service on the route from Bismarck to Tongue River.

The note for $1,000 was discounted August 8, 1878, the day of my return; and the one for $2,500 October 12, 1878. The avails of the latter had been anticipated in checks already sent to J. W. Raymond, a banker at Bismarck, Dak.

These several sums aggregate in round numbers $8,000. The entire sums was checked out by me over the firm signature of J. W. Dorsey & Co.

The above notes

are the ones referred to by Mr. B. Ü. Keyser, receiver, in his testimony at the first star-ronte trial.

S. W. Dorsey gave me the pencil memorandum showing what accounts to open and what charges to make immediately after my return from the West, or early in May, 1879. A number of routes were heavily manipulated in 1878 and early in 1879. It would be mere guesswork on my part to attempt to apportion, either in respect to service or dates, the $8,000 charged to William Smith, alias Thomas J. Brady.

Explanation of certain correspondence.

In April, 1878, I received the following from Senator Dorsey:

M. C. REDDELL, 1121 I street :

MOUNTAIN SPRING RANCH,
COLFAX COUNTY, NEW MEXICO,

April 3, 1878.

I shall

DEAR REDDELL: I wish you would get fullest information in regard to all the new post-office lettings and keep posted as to the schemes going on in the Department. There are certain routes we want advertised and others we do not. be in Washington as soon as the 12th unless something unexpectedly happens. Faithfully,

DORSEY.

I was then a clerk in the District government, knew nothing about the mail business, and hence was in no position to respond to the above demand. I was the private secretary of Senator Dorsey, and hence probably the call upon me. September 27, 1878, J. W. Dorsey wrote me from Dakota :

"You have not written me anything about the prospect for the increase."

He refers to expected increases on the route from Bismarck to Tongue River.

I have a copy of a letter written by Senator Dorsey to his brother John, December 9, 1878 (page 5, letter book):

Mr. Vaile has taken the whole business, and is to pay you for your whole interest $10,000, in payments to be strung out

# *

He advises John as soon as relieved by Vaile, in January, to come to New Mexico and go into the cattle business. He adds that Peck gets about the same from Mr. Vaile that he does. He advises him to come back to Washington as soon as relieved, so as to draw his salary at the Senate, as there must be several hundred dollars due from the Sergeant-at-Arms.

December 25, 1878, John W. Dorsey replied from Dakota. He said:

"Your favor of the 9th is received, and I am glad that Mr. V. has bought out, though I had no doubt but this route alone will pay him or some one else $100,000 clear of all expense within the life of the contract

April 10, 1878, from the United States Senate Chamber, Senator Dorsey wrote the following:

"S. S. HUNTLEY, Esq.:

"DEAR SIR: Will you please send me annual pass for Col. James L. Hodges, and greatly oblige,

"Yours, truly,

"S. W. DORSEY."

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