The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-10
THE OXFORD BANK CASE.
The State against Miles A. Bradley, OH the
Complaint OF Robert Barber, for Obtain
Ing money under False Pretences.
Before Justice Mountfort

Thomas p. st. John being duly sworn on the
part Of the defendant says;-I am broker reside in
Wall street in the city Of New York; know Miles A.
Bradley the defendant here present. also know
Barber Of st. Louis Bradley first spoke to about the
purchase Of the Oxford Bank about the beginning Oc
tober last in this city, Barber not then with him.
he inquired II 1t was for sale, and who the proper
to negotiate with stated him. in general tel ms
that had had some conversation on the subject with
Geo Hobart (who then lived at Oxford time pre-
viousy but that knew but little about the condition
OF the bank he then suggested the idea of his going to
Oxford himself to zee Hobart to which replied, per-
hsps he hsd, at the same time stating that had no
the negotiations at his request gave bm brief letter
Of introduction to Geo Hobart whom had.known since
1913 ne went immediately to Oxford as believe; had
recollection Bradley having left the next morning; but
Barber day or two after at my office to which he
for the purpose OF friendly call and OF identified
ton in connection with draft on the American Ex
change Bank; had knewn Barber since 1913, when
first became acquainted with him in Philadelphia where
then lived; had conversation with Barber about
the Oxford Bank until after Bradleys return from
ford, which was about week after after Bradeys
turn made general inquiries to his success
house had been Bradleys correspondent and had kept
his accounts for than year previous after Brad
eys return Hobart called at our Office and made inqui
ries of about him. to who and what he was this
must have been from the 7th to the 18th Of October
that he kept active though not large account
at Office and that from what we knew Of him.
sidered him good business man and that he pri
vate banker Cincinnati that he principally owned the
Phoenix Bank at Cincinnati, which a private bank ;
MIR. Bradley made Office his stopping place,
invitation being his correspondents and the invita-
ton being usual in such cases Hobart Barber Brad
ley, and Capt Converse frequently In the Office
sometimes together and at other times sngy apparently
goatng the subject Of the purchase of the Oxford
Bank but took active part in the matter except
chat with them generally the subject; do not
member anything of Importance until meeting at the
Franklin House, Mr. Bradley called a. residence then
in Tenth street New York. between four and five O'Clock
one afternoon about the middle Of October think the
evening ut the Franklin House, to meet Mr. Hobart he
gave his reason that he wished to my uence
with Hobart to soften him down in his price, he asked
a large and said II chose might take interest
in the purchase told him did not want interest
in the purchase at any such rate Hobart claimed
ing down, but after persuasion, told him would
think Of 1t, and probably come down in the evening"
did 20 down, and met Bradley and Hobart there the
subject Of the purchase talked but who intro
duced it do not remember; something said either
by Bradley myself about Hobarts charge think it
likely asked him what he going to charge, and
stated that might take interest in the purchase
thing was done right there considerable banterng
and finally asked Hobart if $4,000 would not pay him
pretty we'll through with TIL purchase; he said
that he should have to divide his commission with irton
he then gave general conversation which he had
had with Barber Converse both, and perhaps with
Bradley, in which lower price had been offered him
IL then aid he had considered the subject and had put
his proposition paper in the form of agreement
which he exhibited and read which was that he would
complete the negotiation for $500 don't remember
the inserted in this agreement contracting with
Hobart They were, think Bradley, Barber, and Con-
about the price named in the proposition Hobart in
sisted that price and told them it altogether
out of my reach and that at that any such rate
should decline having anything to do with the matter
Either then Just before said that So 600 enough
but that If Bradley chose to pay 600 or $4,000 NOR. on
his responsibility he might do he pleased in that
respect Then got up, and started to 60 but Hobart
said Wait moment y and think he added that il
the of old friendship. finally said he shou
make his arrangements with Bradley, as should proba
bly, decline taking an interest in it. or something Of that
hen Mr. N n N IA ma sal N
me that If Mr.. Bradley and had got through with
business. could 60 and immediately left don't
collect that before separated, appontmen at
made to meet at my ece the next day My impre sion
il that none made while was there. There
morning, that 1 recollcct Hobart was in my Office
the next day the day after and there gene
raj conversation between him and about the bank,
in which he said If there anything further to be
done, he must refer the parties to Colonel Wey-
mouth. 1 replied to him that 1 should probably
lave nothing to do with it myself and of course
should have nothing to do with Colonel Weymouth Mr.
Bradley in the Office that day or the next and asked
II could 20 with him to Oxford, giving a reason
that he wanted somebody to examine the condition Of
the b. nk. and examine the bank laws sc,
vtrant with that kind of businese he proposed to pay
my expenses, and whatever might ask besides and he
did pay them went next diy to Oxford to Barton
and Bradley stated to him that his object to bug
the majority Of the stock Of the Oxford Bank having
introduced him elf Mr. Bradley and stated that he
had bad some negotiation with Mr. Hobart the sub
Ject agreed to meet ut Webster and did meet there
and Barton. at Bradeys request, went and borrowed
the laws of Massachusetts and think the annual
port the bank; looked the banking laws for
hour or two, think and gave Bradley its general
pointt which think he minuted do.n Bradley and he
had interview by themselves together for tRe
Bradley called me into the and said they had made
arrangement agreement about the bank and asked
II would not put down in writings he had the heads
of II drawn off think, half sheet Of paper aud
put in FORM and wrote 1t out each signing and taking
a cory; Bradley and then came to New York; We
rived on the Eth October Barton had said he aole
TO do all he had offered to do do. ard worth $4,000
s35C0 above his debts that he could furnish at
time 500 to $1,000 to aid in carving
through the purchase and that he had 900 hand
which be would apply in that way at North Oxford aud
before went TO Webster Bradley in reduced himself
to Barton from Cincinnati and stated that he
OF the proprietors The proprieor cannot rccocct
vhich--of the Pho ak Bank of Cincinnati, n private
bank not allowed 20 issue bills and that his object in
buying bank &c procure bills for circulate through
bis bank In CincnDati after my return to New York Mr.
Barber was IN tfce several tines and met Mr. Brad
ley there did net pay very particular attention to their
coIversAtion had interest and did not expect 10
have any in the purchase OF the bank OCCASION
bradley called me into tie back room write n receipt
for $3.50 which Mr. Barber paid Linn Mt the time and
cut 81 grew some conversation In reference to the
hank declined to write the receipt Bradley appeared
at this time. be giving Barber statement Of the
rargenent made with Barton ing stay at Oxford
ard showed Barber the contract or the 18th October
made with Parton: bradley LETT the Office first aud Bar
ttr mhincd after him. and inquired Of me aud Ansel
g john whether Bradley was good and could carry out
tie arr irg, ment; either Ansel ST. John replied
that lie had kept account for time with the Of
Gee and supposed him capable Of performing his agree
merts: Dcthrg vac asked or said about Bradley in
tcsrity CT character.
Q-whst DO you know about the amounts aud the
times II BARRIERS advancing money to Bradley state
fuiy from your knowledge from Barbcrs decla-
raticps.
A-Tle only advance ever saw him make the
~ $50 sbOy. .itned to; receipt given for II by
prsdsy. which De wote himself; VIZ. Barber came into
the ce .hoUt the 23d 2ih Of October and desired
60 borrow 200 10 pey his check the American Bx
change Ia NIX. which would have 20 he paid pro.ested
Il about II or ~ o'clock: he gave DRAFT
ctpiSbce think Of j. J. Anderson Co Of st. Louis.
for iscoupt with reference 70 Carpenter Vcrmilyea
kerr. 81 Wall street which satisfactory dis
counted the draft II for 81 500 he very anxious
tc get the mcL,y in time to pay his check at tn bank
which he said be had gver to Bradley TO cary cut this
OFF nj trade; he ,iated during that day tina, he hak
rsid Brsd' 5000 In cash, and had given him this
cb,cs for $3.50 "a the balance.
o. What have you heard Barber say, and rhen aud
where. Touching the amount of MONEY advanced by him
IN ali to IUdlsy. aud the amount remaining due at the
tine tf his declaration
AAfter the fracas In Worcester last fall and short
time before Mr. Barber started for the West he in
the fice complaining somewhat about Bradley in his
operations he complained that he had got u large
sn,oun Of money from him connected with this oxford
matter 1 asked him how much-was IL $4,000 he