New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-12


| VIM. Hsgan, for the murder Of Teresa SpnZlln, IN
Greenwich street; John Maroney. for the murder OF
| Henry r. Hamilton in Canal street and Thomas
Townsend, for the robbery Of C. Merchants store,
in broadway. Townsend was tried and con victed on
this indictment in April, 1856 and after serving out
year of the sentence the Court OF Appeals ordered
trial which is the trial above mentioned.
AsoTHrR CHAPTER N TIE HISTORY oY THE Cos
TIDENCr MaS.-To Mr.. Lane of No l63 Bowery the
credit is due for the arrest OF William H. Thompson,
abs, Birch alias Hunt alias Reach alias WA G. Cook
the notorious confidence man, instead Of Oscer Corn.
VI II of the Thirteenth Precinct, inadvertently men.
toned in yesterdays TRIBUNE. Thompson, it appears.
went to the jewelry store of Mr.. Phelps Of No. 1873
Sixth avenue on Friday afternoon last and introduced
himself as al old friend of one Of Mr.. P.s former
clerks. He passed some little time in conversation
with M Phelps and eventually said that he had been
recommended by the ex-clerk to to the store and
purchase quantity OF jewelry which he required for
private use He had not time then 10 make the selec
tons he desired but SET an hour the next day on which
he would be at the store. Puncusl to the appointed
time, Thompson made his appearance and spent some
time in his purchase. His frequent reiteraon OF the
tina, the goods for private rather excited
the suspicion Of M Phelps and therefore his implicit
instructions to his clerk who was sent with the goods
| to the store Of DIR Lane No. l63 Bowery, as we be-
| fore stated
| Ii further appears that the clerk upon arriving at
| the store of Mr.. Lane, in the Bowery, met by
Thompson, who rendered him in payment therefor a
check for the amount the Butchers and Droyers
Bank The clerk refused to receive the check unless
il was certified by the Cashier Of the Bank Thompson
was agreeable to the request and the two started for
the bank-the clerk leaving the goods in he custody
| of MIR. Lane. The clerk and Thompson had not psO
ceeoed the distance of half block before the latter
under pretense Of getting his Overcoat stepped into
II store opposite where they were, but IN moment
after he ont and, rrnning back TO Lane store
grabbed the box OF jewehy ard, again quitting tile
store ran up the BOwery Mr. Lane following in pur
suit. The clerk also back to the store, and was
met at the door by Mr.. Lanes brother, who hastily
related the circumstances and advised him to go to the
| bank and see If the check was good. Young Lane
and the clerk went to the bank and found that the
check was worthless. Returning to his employers
store the clerk stated the fact, when word WAS dis
patched to the Deputy Superintendent office and IN
formation Ot the swnde elegraphed 10 the various
police stations.
Meantime Mr.. Lane followed Thompson through
Ri, ineton street To the Second avenue, where they
took the cars to Houston street. The old fellow paid
hi, fare and Jumped off Mr.. Lane being close at his
heels. The pursuit was continued through Houston,
Delaney and Stanton streets back again to Houston
street where the fellow very cautiously stole into
| ,enen ent house. IN about ten minutes Thompson
came out of the house. and met Mr. Lane face to face
Thon pson said. Whats the matte-!' Mr.. Lane
replied "Oh nothing was going to ask if You would
be up to pay me that $40 this afternoon. The other
then made reply in the affirmative, and again started
off going far Sheriff street. then down to Grand
street through side street to Broome street. Mr.
Lane who had all this time kept the old man IN sight,
now spied Officer COnwell of the Thirteenth Preclnc'
and running up TO .lm asked if he had authority to
arrest person suspicion. The officer replied in
the affirmative, whereupon Lane pointed out Ihomp-
Ss as t, who 80 h&S in IF SssS WITH Lane
followed Thompson to the of Norfolk and Grand
Wait "a moment, said Mr., Lane, he has come several
lodges me, and this ~ another. Soon after
Thompson emerged from clothing store, when no
apprehended and taken TO the Thirteenth Precinct
SatIu-llOuse which place the party reached just as
the officer in command receiving Geographic
Ger4 iptiOn of the swDGler
Yesterday afternoon Messrs. Whitehouse and Mer-
ril boot and shoe dealers at No. 29o3 Pearl street
preferred complaint agains; Thompson, alias Birch,
alias Hunt, alias Roach alas Cook, charging
him with obtaining boots and shoes amount
ing in value to 81 2UO 63 by means OF fraudulent
check. The complaint was entertained by Justice
Quackcnbush. The circumstances attending this
operation are rs follows: Thompson introduced him.
self to the firm, and stated that he was DESTROYS Of
purchasing - go worth of goods The firm were re-
ferred house in South street where Thompson said
he WAS making extensive purchases The house was
consulted, and said that Mr.. Thompson had been
making extensive purchases of them for cash. This
being satisfactory, Thompson purchased bill OF goods
amounting 10 81 200 g. and ordered them sent to the
house in South street. Mr.. Merrill of tho firm,
accompanied the goods with the bill. and was met at
the door by Thompson, who rendered in payment a
check for 81 900 the Butchers and Brewers Bank.
Some ersaon ensued relative to the check when
Thompson recommended him TO 20 to the bank i'm
medGtely as he could get the money. As soon ~
Mr Merrill ont of sight Thompson hired the cart
man of the firm who had brought down the goods, to
take them to the foot Of Catharne street The goods
conveyed to the place designated and left the
sidewalk. In moment after the keeper of the gro
Gerry store made his appearance and wanted TO know
why the goods left there. Thompson replied
that he had difficulty with the cartman and he d
" be ID if any cartman should swndle him."
Another cartman was now procured, and the goods
taken TO place on the Eighth avenue, whittier
they traced but, unfortunately, five minutes too
late ar they gone when the firm discovered the
place Nothing more was ever heard OF the goods.
Some time ago Thompson introduced himself to ID.
p Capp of No aD1 Grand street, and purchased $3.50
worth OF dry goods. Here he gave his name as W.
H. Cook and stated that he going to start store
in New -Bsdiord He gave check for the amount on
his favorite bank, but Mr.. Clapp too shrewa
which the old fellow observing ran off leaving the
goods at No. SO Bowery, whittier he had ordered
[ EN- Ia be sent.
The true name of this nOtrous old swinder il VIM.
r. Birch. He halls from Nantucket and has served
two terms in the State Prison. He is b years OF age
and his hair is nearly white. He has very pleasant
countenaLce and freely upon oil subJects.
Relative to the trouble which he is now in he seems
TO care but little and takes matters perfectly cool and
easy. One of the clerks the shoe house above men,
toned he yesterday asked If he 1.-THE clerk would IKE
to sell i'm another bill on the same terms. Birch Is
still held for examination at the Jefferson Market Po-
lice Court He says if anybody had swndled him IN |
the manner he has done others, he would hold bus |
tongue about It.
CAAPHEsr AccIDEsr.-A young woman named |
Mary Ann Williams, living with Mrs Irwin, at No. %
Crosby street, was severely burned about 9 o'clock |
IT, 81. e m nhpna m