The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-19

THE TRADE IN OLD lRoE.-Jo ohm Kelly, n
Junk dealer, charged with receiving a number
of tobacco screws, knowing them 10 have been
stolen, was again before the Mayor yesterday.
II appeared from the testimony of Mr.. aden,
that on last Sunday week, nine tobacco screws
were stolen from his fathers factory, in Man
chester. He subsequently got word from the
police that some tobacco screws had been found
at Kelly's establishment, whereupon the wit
ness went and identified four as his father
property The screws originally cost one hun
dred dollars each. He identified three of the
screws from the fact that they had bands
upon them, and one had none. Witness
admitted that he had not seen the
screws since 1861. He did not believe that
any screws of n similar pattern were
used in any other tobacco factory in Rich
mond. brother of Mr. Walden testified to the
fact of the loss of the screws and of their sub
seuueut discovery at kelly's place, on Twen-
tieth street, between Main and Cary.
A young gentleman, named Brook, testified
10 the main facts related above, and, moreover,
that when he went TO Kelly's establishment
he was informed that IN Irishman conducted
the purchase of old iron, and that statement
was made to him that if any stolen article was
purchased, information of the fact would at
once be communicated TO the police.
Witnesses for the defence were then called.
William Hogan testified that he was employed
by Kelly; that he bought the screws claimed
hy the Messr Naden long time ago that
they were among lot of old iron. Witness
always did the buying, and Kelly knew nothing
of the transaction Kelly had always warned
him against purchasing iron with which any
suspicion was connected Witness stated that
Kelly was absent from the city at the time the
screws were purchased. About the time OF the
evacuation, a large amount of old iron was
scattered about the city, which was free 10
everybody who chose 10 take 1t, ana among the
lot were some tobacco screws. lie cOuld not
recollect having told Brook, the preceding
witness that he had not purchased tobacco
screws in the last summer In lot OF old iron
recently purchased were two screws. witness
did not consider himself the purchaser He
merely received and weighed the iron, and gave
the seller ticket on Dir. Kelly or the clerk for
his money. He sometimes acted as clerk him
self Witness expressed himself as much con-
fused in the presence of the Mayor, and could
not recollect distinctly from whom the iron
was purchased.
Josiah Perry testified that he had frequently
bought tobacco screws ut Government sales.
He could also call the attention of the Court
to n place ut the corner of Fifteenth and Main
streets, where there were two hundred screws
at present exposed for sale. The screws which
he bought he paid for at the rate OF one cent
and Il quarter per pound. The Government
agents took possession of good many tobacco
screws after the evacuation, which they were
in the habit of selling, both in Richmond and
Manchester The iron purchased was shipped
to the North.
Two witnesses corroborated the statement
above given, and also testified that Kelly was
character rs 4 man OF integrity was also
attrS ted to.
James &. Smith, also a dealer in old junk,
testified that he had frequently bought
tobacco screws, but most of those which lie
purchased had been damaged by fire.
Albert Millspaugh testified TO the good cha
racter of the accused. He had frequently
chartered him vessels in which 10 ship his pur-
chases 10 different ports at the North.
Some other witnesses were examined npon
the point of the habit of old junk dealers to
purchase tobacco screws, and that in their
opinion the business was perfectly legitimate.
The testimony having been all taken, the
case was briefly argued by Mcssrs. Nance and
Blackburn for the defence, who contended that
there was no proof that their client had pur-
chased the iron, knowing it to have been
stolen.
Mr.. McRae, the State Senator from Chester
field made q reply on behalf of the prosecu-
ton, in which he argued that there was sufti-
cient proof that the screws had been purchased
at Kelly establishment, and that If Kelly was
not the guilty party, his employees We're. In
the course Of his remarks Mr.. McRae used the
words "tool" and - hireling," whereupon
Mr.. Hogan got upon his feet and said that he
disclaimed the epithet There being some
manifest symptoms of a row, MIR. Hogan was
quietly told to sit down, which mandate lie
promptly obeyed.
The Mayor, in summing mp the testimony,
said that there was very stroug suspicion OF
Kelly's guilt, and that he would therefore
remand him for further examination before
the Hastings Court. An application for bail
was made by his counsel, and refused.