The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-10
Trial of Wn. H. Thompson for Forgery.
BROOKLYN CITY COURT
Before Judge Greedwood and Aldermen Peet and
Lambert


Trial of WIN. II. Thompson for Forgery.
BROOKLYN CITY COURT.
Before Judge Greedwood and Aldermen Peet and
NAY o-At the opening OF the court, the presiding
Judge said, that last Monday order made, re-
latve to several articles which had appeared In the
Atv York Herald. The order required Mr. Benneu 70
appear and show why an attas hment should not
Issue against him for contempt Of court, committed
in the publication Of these articles. The court here
inquired whether any person appeared on behalf OF
Mr.. Bennett.
Mr. Galbraith, counsel on the part Of Mr.. Bennett,
here appeared and addressed the court lie said that
he appeared on the part Of the Editor Of the Herod
He tad he disclained any intention to reflect upon
the ability or the integrity Of the court. 1t WAS
matter Of regret that his remarks had been construed
in this light 1t was true he raid that the Editor OF
rather TO aid the cause of justice rather than to
cast obstacles in it's way The counsel averred that
Dir Bennett thought that he had right to comment
on the proceedings Of the trial. and in respect to the
articles which HAD given offence. articles had since
appeared IN the same paper disayowng any intention
Dc hoped said the cousel, that the court will view the
matte in this light
judge said that the court actuated only by that
regard which 1t owe to itself and the obligations that
devolved upon it in maintaining the respect due to the
proper administration Of justice The Court would Tor
the present. not decide the matter but would do
so hereafter. The trial was then proceeded with;
number g witnesses were introduced by the de-
fence TO prove that the character Of Jas Arlington
Bennett was bad. Conklin Carl swore that he would
not believe him under oath, unless his evidence was
Rufus X. Williams woald believe him under oath.
Peter Neefus would not believe him under oath. This
witness Is -four dealer in New York. and has known
y Benntt Tor several years On his crossexim ina-
ton he testified that he had had litigaions with him
office Of the Chief Of Police On the nth of Decem
Der last the defendant applied 20 me. and made some
disclosures relative to $50 bill said to have been
passed on Mr.. Ieers. In Chatham street suggested
to him that would like to have the Chief know
what he had to state, before acted at all Thompson
said he would hold me responsible. declined having
H. nd We Sc
day. Thompson came to me. and requested
me to write TO Marshal Turkey, Of Boston and get
description OF the man who passed bad bill purport
ing TO be Of the Broadway Bank Turkey answered the
letter but IT was not exactly the information want
ed; wrote again on the 22d asking description OF
the man who passed note, purporting to be on the
Trademarks Bank, of New York Thompson wanted
see if this DESCRIPTION agreed with the description Of
the man who passed the bill there did not 60
Thompson came to me again and spoke OF some
detect II he had funds he asked me II there
not funds In the Chiefs Office for such
purposes don't recollect that defendant told mo
their operations.
Cro.s-examined-Ih have been connected with the
police for FIVE years. do not know, of my own perso-
nal knowledge, that Mr.. Thompson was ever engaged
in any police business; have no doubt he has done
police business for individuals in New York; have
heard that he has.
John Lambertson sworn-I am District Attorney Of
Queens county; am not acquainted with the reputa-
ton Of Of the Drurys except so far as such &C
quainance has been acquired in the perior OF
my duties as prosecuting officer. Q-pid they not
attempt to thrust upon you presents OF guns, &C!
A.-No; at the time the indictments were found,
young Sam Drury came to TO get copies Of the in
dictments; was cleaning my gum sam said mine was
old gun. and good for much he said he had
that was Of no TO him and he would let me have
IL; few days sferward DIS he sent the gun; tried
1t, and liked it, afterwards made Drury. senra
liberal offer for it, but he said he would not sell It. M
he wanted IL for Sam; had conversation with young
Drury few days and he said that he did net swear
that he lent me the gun
Andrew B. Hedges sheriff Of Kings county, sworn
IEVsA Aft IL. oftnrsaC NJ
defen dant. and was ruled out)
joseph Bowling sworn.-witness Is apoliceman, and
present at the arrest OF Sam Drury, Jr was one
Of the party who searched Drury premises; don't
member seeing the bottle; found come watches,
silverware press and other things there was press
about the size Of a card press but press; II
was screw press; saw no label on anything Of that
Kind with defendants name on 1t.
John q Smith sworn-I am police justice In Brook
Ign; took the complaint Of James Arlington Bennett
against deie in reference to the $50 note he APP
into my Office asked for some paper and sat down he
sat few minutes, and then said, Judge, II you
wanted to charge man with having counterfeit note
In his possession. with intent to pass IT, what would
you write ~ told him II he had complaint OF that
Kind TO make, he had better let write out the az
6davit know James Arlington Bennett, and would
not believe him under OATH unless corroborated ~
long as he in the position which ne now sustains
could not give that eredence to his testimony that
would under other circumstances
Cross-examined-I had never Witnessed his eceen-
Walter Smith sworn.--I do business at the corner Of
Attorney and Division streets, In New York 1 re-
oeivcd package there, directed to James X Carr;
knew any one by that name.
Cross examincd.-This was some timc last summer;
perhaps in July
jeremiah Baier sworn-I am q policeman Of New
York; was at Mr. Drury's vt tho time the search
made; saw no bottle nor large label
Treadwel Van Nostrand recalled for defence Il re-
collect the fret time went out to defendants house
IL Was very warm took load for defendant from
Dir Smiths in Division street cannot tell whether
ID was in August. ~ OFFENDER. or November I came
into the city the last Of August and II some two
or three weeks after returned box that took
about three feet long, by about one and half feet
wide and from one TO and q half feet deep; IL
weighed about two hundred pounds she screw which
one. NJ thick my wrist, and foot or foot and
half long press afterwards at the police once
In New York press before introduced shown to Wit
nsss) that II not the press that carried down.
Thompeon.-It is the one. but that makes no differ
witnes.-Ths press that brought had kind Of ell
bow with a screw running through Il; I brought ono
TO this hall like afterwards Witness here went out
with officer to the press that he brought. to the
City Hall on his return he said have seen several
pr,ft.s in the Offices In this hail. the pro-s that
brought like the In the Office Of the clerk Of
this court but u was larger than this one here; did
shat In the box besides the press the press
that have been looking Mt is for stamping the seal
Of tn. court.
samuel Gilbert sworn.-Ireside In Brooklyn; am q
maehinist; was acquainted with James Arlington
Bonnet some twenty-two years ago J did work for
him. q. Would you believe him under oath. A.
don't Iike to answer that from what people cay
would not believe him.
Mrs sophia sooheld sworn-I am Mrs Thompson's
while he on Benncts place; l never Jaw him
making counterfeit money! never saw any impe-
M, nis fer making u; I remember seeing him give
package 60 the elder Drury; the package contained
two three brass copper plates and some papers;
I saw the papers; they were marked out In small
squsr,s. with flowers and figures on them Papers
shswn) Those are like them; don't know whether
they the same; they are similar this was last
year; have been in d,fcndant's family nine or ten
years; he never bad a roop nom which he excluded
any one but children.
Crosse xamincd--Wh hen hrst lived With Mr. Thomp-
son. he resided In Hague street. New York We NEXT
lived In Nsndewacr street and then in Morris street,
whsr. " remained three years then left aud went
TO my mothers where \ lived three years Then
came back and lived with Mr. Thompson's family. In
Norfolk street from there vent TO Pearl street. aud
then to Long Island, where We lived year; then to
Gfaud street for year then to Wiliamshursh for sx
months then IN Canal street for sir months then TO
the corner Of Twepty-finh street and Eighth avenue
for sr months. then TO Jane street for sir months
then 10 fvrsyth street for six months. when left the
family. 7 have been married three years, and
have lived In Rivipgton and Lewis streets l was on
ard on Ut 1hompsons house. when he lived at Ben
uct's. almost every week; saw man there Who went
BY tL. name Of ficids or Meadows, came away the
day lc arrived tbs have seen young sam Drury.