Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-12-22
VIM. F. Morgan-Serious Charges.

oCCu dIleSleu dllI I'LL 'lISOIltu III ~ lAudio'
upon tie following startling charges
Hagersto'on Heratd.
Larger Turned Rogue--Hs .4rrest
William Morgan, Esq, limb Of the
law, although slender one, was last night
detected in an uncommon course of prac-
tice for one of his profession, but which
he has pursued, we believe, nearly ever
since his location in this city.
Morgan was observed, yesterday, by
Capt. Manning, to be wearing watch
which the officer thought he recognized as
valuable one that had been stolen several
months ago, from the residence of John
G. Richardson, in he western part of the
city. Accordingly he procured search,
warrant and repaired 10 Morgan's office,
corner Of Third and PiLe streets, and
finding him within, taxed him at once with
having Mr.. Richardson's watch. he gave
up the property without word, and was
taken into custody. Capt. NJ, then search
ed the apartment, and found concealed in
trunk sone cups, Britannia ware tea
pot, a desert-spoon marked az. A. l., "
one tablespoon marked YATES" and sew
en- teaspoons marked, excepting one, with
the letter Il"
An application TO admit the prisoner to
bail in the sum of 50 coo was made be-
fore Recorder Cady, and refused on the
ground that a late decision by a higher
Court denied him authority to do SO in
such cases.
The watch worn by Morgan was restor-
ed TO Mr., Richardson, and recognized by
him as the one stolen from his residence.
The presumption is that Morgan did not
himself steal the watch, but received and
secretaG il, as we'll as the silver spoons,
for some one who did.
The arrest of William F. Morgan, the
attorney made night before last on d charge
of secreung and receiving stolen goods,
created some surprise which was greatly
increased, as the rolice followed up their
inquiries and developed new proofs, and
suspicious OF still more hein0us offences
on the part of the prisoner.
One of these,a charge Of forgery against
Morgan, although founded upon the accu
sation of one Allen Potter, man now
confined in the county Jail for burglary
and larceny, has evidence of the strongest
character TO support 1.-THE discovery, OF
the forged document itself, which Capt.
Manning found in Norgan's Office. From
disclosures already made concerning this
forgery, it Appeals that Maria Bates an Old
negress, living on Tenth street, between
Market and Walnut, is owner Of house
and lot she occupies, worth several thou
sand dollars. A deed purporIIrg 10 be
from her to Morgan, conveying title to-
this properly, was lorgered last SPRING
The prisoner presented the deed tor ac
Acknowledgement to Mr.. Schroeder, No
,ary Public on Market street near Second,
taking white woman with him 10 deceive
The Notary by personatlng Maria Bates.
After acknowledgement, two or three per-
sons were called in from the street, re-
quested to sign as witnesses, and the deed
was then taken off and recorded.
Another accusation by Potter, is not so
well supported. He alleges that the ne
gro some time after, having negotiations
on foot for selling her property, Morgan
was apprehensive that the fraud would be
brought to light, and made over!ures to
employ him 10 murder her.
After conference or two upon the sub
ice, he was promised $3.50, and advised to
use poison to accomplish the deed. Pot
Ter exhibited to Capt. Manning strip of
paper, with the words "hydrocianic acid y
written upon it, which he says Morgan
gave him as a direction what TO purchase.
Whether this be true or not, It's GER
tain that an attempt was made upon the
negro's life last SUMMERTIME men having
entered her house at night, knocked her
down, and run of, leaving her for dead on
the floor.
Before the Recorder Yesterday after
noon, three aifdavl;s were sworn to and
filed against Morgan-two for receiving
stolen goods, and another for the forgery
OF the deed another alledging conspira-
cy to murder Maria Bates, will be made
out this morning. An examination upon
the first, Tor the robbery of gold watch
and $3.50, from the house of John G.
Richardson, Esq, was entered into. Pot
ter was sworn as witness, and testified
substantially that Morgan plotted the rob-
berry ten days beforehand, and when 1t was
committed, received the watch as his share
of the booty. The examination will be
resumed this morning. Messrs. Blenner-
hasset and Mcbride are counsel for the
defendant.
When the Court adjourned, Mayor
King directed that the caIabooSe should be
strictly watched and guarded all night, to-
prevent any of Morgan's friends or con-
federaes to give him means Of escape from
custody.