Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-12
A Model Omcer-Turner, the Negro
Postmaster.

A Model Omcer-Turner, the Negro
Postmaster.
From the Augusta (Ga.) Sentinel. 6th.l
On the 10Th of last month mulatto
woman from Hancock county, named
Marian Harris. stopped ia this city on
her way from Washington and succeeded
in passing about $3.50 on the merchants
of Augusta, in bills on the First National
Bank of Jersey City, which had been
stolen from the Treasury in Washington
while unsignei, ], and the Presidents and
Cashiers signatures forged. On the
Wednesday succeeding, Mr.. Mullarky
found that the bills were worthless, and
pursuing the woman to Atlanta, had her
arrested. At the time of her arrest
there was found on her person $3.50 ofthe
bad bills and $467 of currency. The proof
against her, we suppose, not being suth-
ciently strong, she was discharged, after
restoring all the money of which she had
robbed the merchants here. On Thurs
day, Mr.. Murphey, of the Atlanta police,
arrived here, and returned on the night of
that day, taking with him. Lieut.. Purcell,
of the Augusta force, to assist him in un.
raveling the plot, as heretofore it bad
been found impossible to get anything out
of her, and it was thought that by bring
ing her to this city, where the crime was
committed, operations could be con-
Quoted with better hope of success. On
Friday morning Lieut. Purcell reached
Atlanta, and Immediately re-arrested the
woman on a warrant issued by United
States Com missioner Smith. On Friday
night he took the cars with her and
started home, but when the train reached
Union Point, he received dispatch from
U. S. Marshal Smythe, directing him to
return with his prisoner to Atlanta. On
receiving this message, Lieut.. Purcell
transferred the woman to the up-niGht
train, and went back to the city. On the
cars, we are informed, the woman's cou-
rage gave way, and she made a clean
breast of the whole transaction.
She stated that some time since she
went North with lady from Macon,
whom she left soon after her arrival in
Philadelphia. She said that she formerly
knew Fl. M. Turner intimately, when
they both lived in Hancock county, and,
meeting him North, the intimacy was
resumed. She Travelled good deal be-
tween Washington and Philadelphia and
often saw Turner in the former city. On
day between the 1st and 5th of June
THrner gave to her in Washington be-
tween $1,000 and $l70O of this spurious
currency, which she had been passing,
instructed her how to get rid of it, and
made her promise to divide with him the
good money she received. She then re-
turned to Philadelphia, and from that
time to the 10th was in constant CORE.
spondence with Turner on the subject
On the 10th of the month she started to
Georgia. She passed 800 of the money
in Wilmington, where she stopped several
days, 500 at another place, and finally
$3.50 in this city, as stated above.
Lieutenant Purcell and the woman ar
rived in Atlanta on Saturday morning,
where the accused secured the services
of several fine lawyers-among others,
Hon. B. II. Hill, Gen. L. j. Gartroll and
Col. Luther j. Glenn. After an exami-
nation before United States Commits.
sioner Smith, at which the woman still
testifes against Turner, warrant was
issued for the arrest of the latter, and
the authorities in Macon telegraphed to
secure him. This warrant was placed in
the hands of Lieutenant Purcell and enc
of the Deputy United States Marshals,
and the party Immediately left for Ma
con, arriving there on Saturday evening.
The officers found Turner seated in the
postoffice, and at once arrested and hand
cuffed him. The same evening he was
placed in the cars, carried to Atlanta,
and placed in confinement in the mill
tary barracks. Turner seemed much de-
jected when arrested, and manifested a
good deal of trepidstiou,
The examination of the two prisoners
commenced yesterday morning in At
lauta before the United States Commis-
sioner, but the proceedings are as yet
kept secret, as other parties may be i'm
plicated who have not yet been arrested.