The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-02-13
Your much attached friend.
EASs q 1a..s. M r Re ssS.


Bribery and Aitsia.g GosJalerdte Desert,ls 10
Eseape.-On Friday of last week DR.. William
Maclure, the cmbaiIner, and Robert Kirby,
and NJ. Harris, were arrested q few miles
from Richn0nd by Detectives John Rces ard
Robert Cradd9ek, Of Gen. Wilder's police,
on the charge of aiding deseftcrs from tho
Confederate service to escape TO the North,
and Offering to bribe the guard vino arrested
them. Yesterday Mcclure was brought to
trial before G. s. Commissioner A. H. Sands
when the following testimony was given:
John Rees, G.. s. Detective, sworn.-On
Friday last myself and Robert Craddocls, q
Detective, were directed by Capt McCubtin,
Chief Of Police, to proceed immediately cat
on the Mechau;csVil!o turnpike and arrest
all the parties who might be caught in q Ger.
tain wagon on that road. Cr:.ddock went
ahead, and | followed short distance be-
hind him-he in buggy and | on horse
!, back. On getting to Hcward's Grove / hid
myself, and suffered the wagon in which DR..
Maclurc, NJ. Harris, and John Weathcrford
were, to pass by me, thinking that we welid
stand much better chance OF capturing
them, in case OF flight, than we would
ii both were in front. After they pass
ed on l followed behind, and in due
time came mp to picket post where Grad
dock, the prisoners, and q Mr.. Weathoriord
had coE,e to halt. There were also at this
3. L =
CraddOek and Maclure CAME towards me,
when Craadock remarked that The thing
had been gone through with" | asked him
ii the passport was right, and his reply was
that il was correct, at the same time remark
ing that Maclure had attempted to bFi5e him
TO let him OFF tor 81 900. He had already
paid over $3.50, aud would give him $3.50
when he returned TO Richmond. Soon after
this Maciafe approached Snd asked If he
could speak to ma. He than took ne around
picket post and said he ha,. agreed to give
Craddock 81 900, aud that ii would not i'm
plicate him in the scra.te in which he was
caught, he would also give me $1,000; he
did not care what | did With the other fei-
lows found in his company. This preposl2-
ton |, with an oath, refused. Noticing Il
collin in the wagon which lie drove, 1 asked
him whose it was lie replied that it wa;
his; he was on his way TO Essex county to
take up dead body. abused Harris some
for making all the money he could in the
Confederaey, and then, when his services
were needed in her defence, he was for run-
ming away We then took the Doctor aud
his companion in custody and brought them
to Richmond
John L. Weathertord. c. s. Detective,
sworn.-I have recently been appointed a
Government detective. A short time since
| heard that Dr. Maclure's office was the gen.
eral depot OF the niidcrgl ounu TaisfOau 10
the North, and reported the fact to head
quarters. Was directed by Capt. McCnbbin
to ferret the matter out Last Wednesday,
the Sd inst, called OH DIR. MaeIure ct his
Office and told him wished to speak with
kim in private lie replied that he was then
engaged, bus would be at leisure at 9s.o'elock
that night. On informing him that | had a
friend wished to bring with me, the Doc
tor said ''all right" he thonght he under.
stood my business and my freud called
heard he could get us to the North. lie told
us he could DO SO; that his price was $3 tl0
Ny friend became frightened ut the price
and backed out told him, however, !
would call again In the morning at eight
o'clock. did call. On this pecsnion met
! with man, who Maclure introduced al
4Cnr1 Kirby, the man who passes ~ through
- ! ~ Informed by the Doctor