The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-05
U y. Circuit Courts


March l-WiAiam Hof was indicted under the 22d
section of the Congress Of Sd March, 1922 for
OF the TIN Of December last the city Hudson
stracng hereom certain letters and parcels containing
drafts and money.
HENRY c. MILLER sworn and examined by BARRErr-
Resides in Hudson; in partnership with Mr.. Smith,
collects the night OF the 7h December the mails to
mail guard, and a man named Martin Hof was there.
Witness remained until they all brought in about
napast o'clock witness sent Tor Ho to come into the
office; he accordingly witness told him that he
wanted him to take charge OF the mails witness lett the
office at five minutes after nine
Cross examined by KoByRT H. MORRIS, Esq-Hoh was
not born In Hudson worked Tor witness off and since
1896 did not the bags that came that night was
gave o go to the boat in the mornng;it his bus
however to there was also part Of his bust
uess to call the drivers up.
mail in December last accompanied the mail from Alba
ny to Hudson the It'll December the mail bags from
Albany containing letters for New York put the
mind boot of the coach by witness the coach
changed from Albany to Hudson the mail bag
moved until we came to Hudson then took out and
that the bag produced is the that taken
out Of Smith Miilers office when got to the office
next morning about O'Clock found Miller Hoff and
Martin there they putting the mails on sleigh to
put them on board the Utica.
Crosse ramined by MoRRs-Did not count the mails Ell
Their when put them in took out they were all 1y
ing he sidewalk | asked when we were putting the
nails the sleghs the Hudson mail was there's mere
y asked the question they SAT-, no when received the
bag at Albany the person who gave ii to said 1t
Uncle Sans bag, and desired to look out the bag
could be taken without my knowledge from the
time we left Albany until we came TO Hudson.
FREpERIcK G. BELpEN examined.-Was in Hudson
the night ofhe 7th December last was present when the
mails taken the prisoner, myself, Martin and
Mr. Miller, present when the bags taken out );
about quarter before 10 o'clock that night witness
in a minute or two followed by Hof thinks the mails
in the condition when witness returned that
sy when ne went 70 can non hv ia
the Office about O'Clock and went to the Hudson House
to light his lamp, and then went with John Smith to the
boat.
Cross.sramned by MoRRIs-Terry and another in
the office with Hod when left it the office was left with
the door open the evening went to call Hoff
BLAZE, (colored) eDamined.-Saw Hof on the morning
OF the Sh December in the Office Of Smith x Miller he
went out saw him shortly after on the tow-boat dock
ne had stick in his hand and punching in the river
saw him out of the window, and also from the door he
remained punching the water for about ten minutes he
then returned to the office and said the boat coming
| asked him " was he spearng cells p he said he
Crcsszanained-Is in the habit of seeing Hof every
morning ut the river 10 custom with the drivers to
20 down there every morning to wait for the boats.
Direct examination resumed- saw the pole with which
ne said he was spearng eels there was no spear the
twas through joke asked the question believe ii was
through joke he answered.
II. HyArr mn,d-Witness captain Of the steam.
boat Utica in December last board the boat Mt
Hudson on the morning of the sth December, and saw
mail bag in the river sung out and got taken up
veycd TO the post Office about ten feet out shore
from the point Of the dock when witness discovered
Witiess neat went W OUCc Oi omitH q
conversation with Mr. Miller the subject OF the disco
very of the msil bag Ho present does not recoL
lect that he made any remark during the conversation
EDWARD o. HoiLv-Resides in Hudson knows HoG |
recolects the day Of the robbery had with
HoG about half past o'clock John Smith, driver,
present. the conversation took place In the stables yard
Smith and Miller; asked Honf he had heard the mail
robbed he said there was such report witness
saId it was strange that should be robbed there war
guard with IT. he said it mail brought by the boat
ne then said be heard the bag cu and money taken
ont then asked him il the bag found above below
Hudson; he said he could not ascertain
HESpy c. MiLLEp recalled-Frst heard OF tho robbery
from Captain Hy att; Ho present. and witness asked
MIN he had obeyad his orders he said he had and that
had not left the office until after o'clock and that he
then went to the river with John Smith, witness then said
Hof IL is bag II Is bad job; he made reply but
appeared very much dashed and moved back and sat
the sofa.
About O'Clock II was ascerained that some Of the ma
eral witnesses for the prosecution had not arrived and
the District Attorney asked for posponenent until to-
morrow morning (this day. when he was sure the wit