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left hand. The last signal I saw Crane make, which was to said Crossman, was after the jury had agreed, and was done by Mr. Crane by his bringing his hands together near the center of the window and pulling them away from each other towards the outer extremities of the window, which meant that all was right-that it was a clean thing-the jury had agreed to acquit the defendants. This was the understanding between us all who were working for the defense. I learned of these signals from Ed. Taylor, before they were given.

JAMES A. NELSON.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 7th day of March, A. D. 1884.
[SEAL.]
WARREN C. STONE,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 88:

Notary Public.

I, James A. Nelson, on oath, do depose and say that soon after the termination of the second star-route trial, or about the time that Stephen W. Dorsey left the city of Washington, D. C., for the West, I think in the early part of August, I had a conversation with one Clarence Shields, a juror on the second trial. In said conversation said Shields stated to me that he had been treated badly by said Dorsey; that he (Dorsey) had left the city without making any arrangements to carry out the agreement made with him (Shields), and that he (Shields) understood that the white men on the panel with him in the trial of said cause had been treated differently. Shields further said that he thought it more than likely that Dorsey had fixed matters, but that the parties who had charge of the matter for said Dorsey had failed to carry out his instructions, and that he (Shields) intended to see Dorsey personally when he (Dorsey) returned to Washington, and have a full understanding about it.. I had several conversations with Shields subsequently of about the same purport as just narrated, and in one conversation said Shields gave me to understand that something had been done for him, but that the agreement had not been fully carried out, and that it would have to be done when Dorsey came to the city. When said Dorsey came to Washington, in December or January last, I had a talk with Shields, and he told me at that time that he was on his way to Welcker's restaurant to see said Dorsey, and that he (Dorsey) had to do something for him or to get a position for his friends. I am also informed by a reliable person, whose affidavit can be obtained, that he saw Charles Jones, in company with a brother of Jackson Howard (another juror on said second trial), go to the house of said Jackson Howard on the night after said Howard was accepted as a juror in the star-route case, and that the said Charles Jones was at that time in the employment of the star-route defendants and received immediate instructions from A. B. Williams, one of Dorsey's lawyers.

While I was employed by the said A. B. Williams he paid me a compensation of $10 per week, settling with me at that rate in full, until the end of the second starroute trial. I had been previously employed by the said Stephen W. Dorsey in matters relating to the star-route trials, on account of which employment there was a balance due me of $28. When said Dorsey was in Washington, in January last, I sent him a statement of my account with him, showing said balance, and he (Dorsey) responded by sending me his check for said amount, and said check was payable at the First National Bank of Denver, Colo. This account was for services rendered Dorsey after the discharge of the jury in the first star-route trial, and under the personal direction of A. C. Richards, in the interest of the said Stephen W. Dorsey, on account of matters growing out of the first star-route trial.

JAMES A. NELSON.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of March, A. D. 1881. [SEAL.]

WARREN C. STONE,
Notary Public.

AFFIDAVIT OF F. C. SHAW.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 88:

I, Frederick C. Shaw, being duly sworn, doth depose and say: While serving as a juror at the March term of the criminal court for the District of Columbia (1882) I received the letter marked A, bearing date April 26, 1882, from one Howard French (a son of the late Sergeant-at-arms, United States Senate) worded as follows:

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, CENSUS OFFICE,
Washington, D. C., April 26, 1882.

DEAR SIR: If you are down this way to-morrow please let me see you. I may be out in the forenoon, but will surely be in between 3 and 4.

Yours, &c.,

Mr.

HOWARD FRENCH.

On the following day, between the hours named, I called at the Census Office, corner of Thirteenth street and Pennsylvania avenue, and asked for Mr. French, with whom I had no previous acquaintance. He came out into the hall and asked, "Is this Mr. Shaw ?" and said “I don't recognize you as the party I wanted to see." He then said, "It is too bad for you to come so far for nothing; suppose we walk up to Willard's." We then started out together and went to Willard's Hotel. We entered the lobby, where we stood a few minutes in general conversation, when Mr. French was approached by one Col. William P. Rice, whom he introduced to me. French handed Rice a five-dollar note, thanking him for the loan of it, when Rice remarked, "It has been so long I had forgotten it; let us go in and break it up." We then went into the saloon of the hotel, where they took drinks and I took a cigar. We came out and talked awhile in the lobby, when Rice suggested that we go into the res taurant above Willard's, where they (French and Rice) again took drinks and I took a cigar. When we came out Rice and French engaged in a private conversation, after which Rice excused himself and went up Fourteenth street. As I was about to leave French again excused himself for bringing me on a wild-goose chase; said he understood that I was a mighty good clerk, and that Rice was a man for me to cultivate; that he (Rice) had been on the National Republican Committee as assistant secretary; was in the lobby and acquainted with nearly all the Members and Senators, remarking as his last words as I was leaving, "He is a damned good man to know."

On the afternoon of April 29, 1882, the following note, in pencil, was brought to my house by a colored boy, whom I afterwards recognized in the employment of Rice:

Mr. SHAW:

Meet me at Willard's Hotel at 4 p. m. on. If you are not in when this arrives, come down at 6 o'clock. I will be in the office of botel.

APRIL 29.

FRENCH.

At 6 o'clock I was at the hotel, and while waiting to see French, Rice came up and shook hands with me. I asked him if he had seen French, as I had come down there by appointment with him. He said he had not, and after talking for a few moments he suggested that we go up to the Ebbitt House saloon, as French was more likely to be there. We went in and sat down to a table, and Rice ordered beer for both. Rice commenced a running conversation on general subjects, asking me how long I had been in the city, the extent of my acquaintance, who I knew among public men, and as to my circumstances and present employment. After answering his questions in a general way, he ordered two more beers and then said he would like me to come up to his office; that he liked me and might be useful to me. When we got to his office he (Rice) pulled out a roll of money, and laying two $20 notes on the table in front of me said, "I want you to get some information that is of importance to me. I do this on French's recommendation." I had previously told Rice that I was doing nothing except serving as a juror. He (Rice) then took from his pocket a list containing the names of the regular panel of petit jurors in the criminal court and asked me to look over the list and tell him all I could about each member-his politics, financial standing, habits, and the names of his nearest friends and acquaintances. I told him that I was on the panel and I didn't want to do or say anything in reference to the jury. He said he did not want to talk about any particular case, and that there was nothing improper in complying with his request; that he simply wanted to compare my views with information that he had already obtained. I looked over the list and gave him my ideas from the knowledge I had of the different members of the jury, which he noted on the margin of the same slip. Notes had previously been made on the slip opposite several names. I left him with the promise to meet him at his office on the following Monday, May 1. At that time he (Rice) took his breakfast at the restaurant under Willard's, and said that I would always find him there between 10 and 11 a. m., or at his office at 6 p. m. His office at that time was in the rear of the "Stone Building," corner of Fourteenth and F streets, next to Horbach's lottery office. I kept this appointment, and again the same matter was talked over, and I gave him such additional points as I had gathered. As I was about to leave he gave me $10 and said, "Use this around among the boys, and I will give you money in a few days to fix up your own matters." We walked down to the Ebbitt House, got beer, then into the cigar store, when he (Rice) asked for long Key West cigars, two for a quarter, which were given him, the box being taken from the shelf and not from the case. I then left him with the understanding that I could see him at his office or about the Ebbitt House in the evening, or at breakfast, mornings. I continued to meet him from time to time, always in reference to these matters.

On the 3d day of May, 1882 (the day previous to the postponement of the starroute trial on account of the absence of John W. Dorsey), Rice came to my house

and was introduced to my wife and children. Before leaving he said to my wife that he had an important business matter with Mr. Shaw (meaning myself) that was developing, and would doubtless be to our mutual advantage. When I went to the door with him he put $40 in my hand, which I handed to my wife when I went in the room, she remarking that I would get in trouble if I did not keep clear of that man During this conversation with Rice he told me that "Holmead had been seen,” and that from what he said I could talk with him and possibly learn something to my advantage.

On the morning of the 4th day of May, after the adjournment of the court on that day, because of the absence of John W. Dorsey, William Holmead (afterwards a juror in the case) and myself walked down Louisiana avenue toward Seventh street. Holmead asked me if I had ever been approached by any one in the interest of the defendants in the star-route cases. I told him that the case had never been mentioned to me, but I had furnished certain information relative to members of the two panels of the criminal jury, and remarked that I had an intimation that he (Holmead) had been "seen." He said that he was first approached by a warm personal friend, who said to him, "You are an old contractor, and know how contractors have to turn corners to get out, and that that is all there is in the star-route business, and you ought to make some money out of it; that they (the defendants) would like to have me foreman of the jury, and that in that case I would get double what any one else did." He further stated that he had agreed that if I would join him he should accept the proposition, remarking that the money must be put up in advance. I told him to go ahead and that I would be with him. Most of this conversation took place in Mades' restaurant, corner of Third street and Pennsylvania avenue, where we had walked during our talk.

During the following week Holmead asked me to walk down to Seventh street with him, and we went into Buckley's cigar store, on E street, opposite the General PostOffice Department, and into the back room, where we sat down. After awhile Michael Talty came in and shook hands with Holmead, by whom he was introduced to me. They had a conver: ation for a few moments. He (Holmead) said to me as we started out, "Well, I am satisfied now. I would not have gone ahead on uncertainties." I asked him if money had been put up, and he said that he had the word of a man that it was all right, and that that was as good as the money to him.

I continued to see Rice every day, but nothing important occurred until the 30th of May (Decoration day), when I went to his office about 11 o'clock a. m. by appointment. At that time we went over the list of jurors again, and I gave him (Rice) ideas gathered myself and from conversations with Holmead. When I left him he asked me to come down again at 6 o'clock that evening, which I did. We then talked matters relating to the jury over again, when he (Rice) told me to wait at the hotel a few moments until he came back, and went up Fourteenth street to New York avenue. I crossed and went up on the opposite side and saw Rice go into Chamberlain's. I walked back towards F street, and when he came down he stopped at his office door a few moments, then walked up Fourteenth street and beckoned me to follow. We went into Franklin Square, and he there gave me $70 in ten-dollar silver certificates. This was my last interview with Rice until after the trial commenced. On the morning of June 1, 1882, after having been challenged as a juror, I passed out into the east lobby of the court-house, where Senator Dorsey was walking up and down in company with Judge Charles Pelham. Dorsey stopped me and asked. "What was the matter with you and Merrick?" or words to that effect, and then turning to Pelham remarked, "This is one of Merrick's challenges. I never spoke to this man (meaning me) before in my life." As I came out in front of the city hall I met Col. William P. Rice, who, after greeting me, said he (Rice) had taken a room around on E street, No. 509, and asked me to come around there in about half an hour. I went around as requested, and saw him (Rice) in the back room on the second floor. He asked me what I thought about Murray and Tobriner. I told him that I did not know Tobriner even by sight, and only recognized Murray as a regular attendant at the court. Rice then said, "If those two men are all right it (meaning the jury) will stand twelve to nothing. I have told Dorsey that your services will probably be valuable, and you can consider yourself under pay and report to me here every morning about ten o'clock, when I will give you such points as we want to look up and you can report such information as you have obtained." Under this arrangement I was employed in the interest of Stephen W. Dorsey during the trial, reporting regularly to Rice, and frequently holding conversations with Dorsey himself about the court-house concerning the matters involved in my employment.

After Rice had remained a few weeks in his rooms on E street, he moved around on Sixth street, taking the parlor floor at No. 421, where I continued to report to him. At our first interview, under this arrangement, Rice told me that Stephen W. Dorsey had placed $12,000 in his hands to fix the jury. This was when he referred to Tobriner and Murray. And he then said, as he had nothing to do with them (Tobriner and Murray), it left him a balance of $2,000 in his hands, and he proposed to lay back

a little and see what Brady and the other defendants would do for Tobriner and Murray, and that would leave him a stake to work with without calling on Dorsey for more funds. At this first interview with Rice, after the trial commenced, he (Rice) asked me which members of the jury I was best acquainted with. I told him Holmead and Doniphan. He then told me that he was acquainted with Doniphan's family, and had been boat-riding with his (Doniphan's) daughter "Flossie;" that he "had got onto him," and he believed him to be all right, but that I could sound him from time to time and see how the information I got from him agreed with what he (Rice) got himself. I had myself previously talked with Holmead and told Rice that I knew that he (Holmead) was all right, and that I could talk with him without reserve. Rice told me to keep my eyes open as regards all the jurors, the movements of Government counsel, and "spotters," and to interest myself particularly in Doniphan, and to have Holmead keep me posted as to everything that was going on.

On Sunday, the 4th day of June, by direction of Rice, I went to Holmead's store, on what is known as Holmead's Lane, between Mount Pleasant and the Seventh Street road. The store was locked, and I gave a little colored boy ten cents to go to Holmead's house, near by, and tell him a gentleman wished to see him at the store. Holmead came down and we went into the store. We had a conversation, in which Holmead said if he had known that I would have been challenged he would not have served as a juror, but having made the agreement that he had he should go through with it. I told him that from what I could understand he would not be alone and he need not feel anyway nervous about it. I asked him if any one had approached him in behalf of Brady. He said, no, his agreement only related to the two Dorseys, and that was as much as he wanted to carry. While engaged in this conversation Mr. Andrew Lipscomb (Holmead's lawyer) and a man then introduced to me as a Mr. Harmon, drove up to the store in a buggy. They went in—got a drink-ginger ale and whisky-when Lipscomb remarked to me that he was sorry I was challenged, as he regarded Holmead and myself the two strongest men on the jury for the Government. After they drove away Holmead and myself walked up to Holmead's house, where he introduced me to a man by the name of Stewart, and then we all went around in rear of the house, where Holmead picked some strawberries to fill an order. After walking back to the house, where Stewart left us, Holmead walked with me towards the lane. As we separated I said to him I shall not have anything to say to you around the court-house, but will manage to see you from time to time. He says "We must be mighty careful about this thing; no one will mistrust me, as I have a good deal of property in my own name, and shall be worth at least $60,000 when mother dies, and which is practically mine now."

Edward D. Doniphan lived in the same section of the city I did, and in view of what Rice had said I always talked freely with him and he never hesitated to expre-s himself freely to me; and from his conversations I always inferred that he was in full accord with the defense so far as the Dorseys were interested. On Monday morning, June 5, 1882, I went to Rice's room on E street, and he had company, but said he would meet me at the east front of the Capitol about dusk that evening. He did so, getting off of the car at Sanderson's corner. We went into the bar-room of Sauderson's and got a drink, and then walked up the extent of the Capitol grounds to First street, where we sat down on the stone coping. I related to him the result of my interview with Holmead, and a conversation held on Saturday with Doniphan. While engaged in this conversation, Searles, a baliff of the court, and a lady passed us, and Searles recognized us. I remarked, "that is Searles, Dopnihan's son-in-law." Rice replied, "I don't care a damn; you are not on the jury. That is Flossie with him, that I was telling you about."

Some time the last of Juue or early in July Rice left the city, and I think was gone about a week; it was while the Washington Light Infantry was at Cape May, and that is where he stated to me that he went. Soon after his return the subject of Spencer came up, and Rice stated that that was part of his business away; that Spencer did not really know anything, but that he had talked and didn't want to go on the stand and go back on what he had said; that his (Spencer's) damn mouth had cost Dorsey $100,000, and that he (Rice) was the only man in the United States that could put his hands on him.

On the second or third Sunday in July I went out to Holmead's store; sent a boy up to his house, as before; the boy said he could not find Mr. Holmead, that he was down in the field. I started to walk down that way, and found Holmead laying in the grass with two men. When he saw me he got up and went with me to the store. There we talked over the star-route trial matters, and arranged signals to be given by him from the jury-room. These signals were never used.

During August Rice was again out of town. The first knowledge I had of his return to the city he came to my house about 8 o'clock at night on Saturday, the 26th day of August; he came in a close carriage, which he said he got at the Ebbitt House. It was raining hard; Rice seemed a good deal excited, and said that Dorsey had given him $1,000 for Doniphan, and he (Dorsey) supposed he (Rice) had placed

it, but he (Rice) had been led to believe that Doniphan was all right and had held the money. He further said he knew that Doniphan hadn't been fixed; that I should see him Sunday and make an appointment, so that I could bring them (Rice and Doniphan) together, as he (Rice) wanted to give Doniphan some money. Rice said he would give Doniphan two or three hundred dollars to make him easy and satisfy him that everything was all right; that he (Rice) was obliged to leave town on Sunday night, and did not feel safe to go away until it was fixed, and that in case I failed to see him at 12 o'clock to meet him (Rice) at the Baltimore and Potomac Depot at 9 o'clock and he would pay me the balance due me, requesting me to come to his (Rice's) room at 12 o'clock Sunday, and let him know how the matter progressed. I saw Doniphan Sunday morning at the three-cent car stand in the Capitol grounds, and we walked around and sat down on the Senate steps on the west side of the Capitol. I told Doniphan "this party wanted to see him" that he was a man that he knew, or who claimed to be acquainted with his family. While we were talking it commenced to sprinkle and we separated, Doniphan promising to see me in the afternoon at the same place. I went to R ce's room, on Sixth street, at 12 o'clock, and the lady there told me that Rice's baggage had been sent to the depot, and she supposed he had gone. I saw Doniphan in the evening and told him I failed to see the party, but that I had an engagement to meet him at the Baltimore and Potomac depot at 9 o'clock, and asked him to go down. He said that he had to go as far as the church door with his wife; that he would leave her there and meet me at the depot. He failed to keep the appointment, and I remained at the depot until the departure of the 10.40 train, but missed seeing Rice.

On Friday, the 1st of September, I had a talk again with Doniphan on Pennsylvania avenue between the Capitol and Four-and-a-half street. From what he said to me about the standing of the jury, I felt satisfied that Dorsey had been "played." I passed Holmead in the west lobby of the City Hall near the door of the city surveyor, and in a moment's conversation which we had he expressed the fear that he stood almost alone. This was during recess. I crossed over in front of Hagerty's restaurant, and Dorsey came across in company with Colonel Ingersoll. Colonel Ingersoll passed in the door, and Dorsey came up to me and asked what was the mattersaying that I didn't look happy, or some such remark as that. I said to him, "Do you know when Rice will be in town?" He replied, "What do you want of him. I gave him your money before he went away; and if he has not fixed it I will." I said, "That is all right, I can wait until he comes; it is your own matters that bother me. I don't like the looks of things and think Rice ought to be here." Dorsey then asked, "What is the matter?" I said, "Well, Doniphan, I am satisfied, hasn't got a cent." Dorsey replied, "Why I gave Rice $1,000 for him." I then repeated to him the conversation between Rice and myself at the house on Saturday night. Dorsey then told me to see Doniphan and find out what I could Saturday and to come to his house at 12 o'clock on Sunday. I did not see Doniphan Saturday, but on Sunday, the 3d of September, I went to Senator Dorsey's house opposite the Arlington Hotel. A colored boy, about sixteen years old, came to the door. I went into the parlor, and in a few minutes Dorsey came in. He took out some cigars and handed me one and said, "Now tell me about this Rice business." I then went over the whole matter and told him that from what I learned there was not more than two men on the jury he could depend upon. He says, "Well, we must have Rice here. I have trusted him with everything." He called his oldest son by the name of "Colonel "-"Colonel come here. Get your tablet and pencil and write." He then dictated this. "William P. Rice, Hoffman House, New York. Must be here by 12 o'clock to-morrow without fail.' After requiring his son to read over what he had written he told his son to go up stairs and copy it into the book and to send it to the telegraph office at once. Dorsey then said this is the first intimation I have had of any hitch; who can we depend on. I told him there was no question about Holmead. He says, "I want you to go out and see him and let me know to-morrow." I went out to Holmead's, and he (Holmead) said that unless the jurors were lying they were almost unanimous for conviction. Í said, "Well, I suppose you are going to stand fire." He answered, "Yes; I am going to see Dorsey through.' I says, "How about John Dorsey?" He replied, "The evidence is stronger against him than it is against any one.' I replied that his agreement as I understood it was for the two Dorseys, and that S. W. Dorsey wouldn't want to be acquitted if John was sacrificed. Holmead finally said, "All right."

Monday morning, the 4th of September, 1882, I saw Dorsey again in front of Hagerty's and related to him the result of my interview with Holmead. He says, "Well, Rice will probably be here during the day and matters will have to stand as they are until he comes." On Tuesday (September 5) I again saw Dorsey in front of Hagerty's and asked him if Rice had come. He said he had not, and then remarked that you (meaning me) seem to be the only one uneasy, that every one else seems to be in good spirits and thinks it all right. Dorsey then asked me what I thought of Tobriner. I told him that I had never come in contact with him, but that I had always

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