Russell filed a
bill on the equity side of the court. A lawyer, named Fiske, of
Boston, was retained by Fowle. Fiske answered. Russell employed the
Hon. Charles R. Train to assist in the trial, but there was no hearing.
In 1858 Train was elected to Congress. About 1860 Russell came to me
for assistance and put into my hands a large bundle of papers relating
to the case. At that time Russell was so impaired in health that he
could not aid in the investigation. Upon an examination I found that
the testimony of Staples was important. He then lived at Machias,
Maine. By writing and interviews when I found him in Boston, I became
satisfied that for a hidden reason he was resolved to have nothing to
do with the case. As a last resort, I took out a commission and
submitted interrogatories. The answers were evasive or valueless from
loss of memory. Thus the case was delayed. In 1862 I was elected to
Congress. Childs was an easy going man who made inquiries
occasionally, but never complained. Upon my return from a session,
about 1865, I resolved to bring the case to a close. I examined the
papers carefully, and I found full material for a statement, although
it cost labor to analyze the accounts. At that time Russell was dead
and Fiske was dead. Mr. John Loring, a former partner of Fiske, took
the case.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84