New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-20
THE BOGUS CUSTOMS DETECTIVES.

PECULIAR AUDACITY-THB ROBBERS BROUGHT
TO GRIEF.
The startling disclosures concerning the late
shameful attempt at Matchmaking by supposed Custom
House officials has caused considerable excitement and
given rise to serious inquiry concerning the manner In
which the officers of the customs transact their business
The following a true statement OF the affair. On
Saturday night last two called lat the residence Of
Mrs Phoebe Shaw, No 24 East Tenthst, and inquired
for Mr. E. Duverger boarder, who is a manufacturer
Of lace goods at No. As Rue Neuve, Brussels. Mr..
Duverger has recently opened for the sale OF his
goods In this city and Is well known to many prominent
business on Broadway. On Mr. Duyergers
He replied in the affirmative, and az is the custom IN
his country, asked them for their card showing what
but would look at the laces The laces were shown,
admired priced and the then departed. In about
to look at the aces again Upon their being produced
OF the two declared These are smugHled goods
nrmed that the goods we're no. smugged that he had
paid duty them in Boston, and that he had the papers
In his possession TO substantiae his statement. He then
produced the cerfcates-which are proved TO be en-
rely eorrectwithout however, satisfying his accusers
who reiterated the charge, and one OF them, Ar Fred
g. A. Kenure, who was formerly Custom.H House officer
and now q Custom. House broker, showed Custom
House badge aud commanded Mr. Duverger TO accom-
pany them, and bring his goods along with him. Mr.. Du
verger still demonstrating. the other man. whose name Is
manifest department of the Naval Office drew revolver
aud repeated the order THIS demonstration eff
ttS To- leave ave- his goods in their possession.
accompanied the fellows TO room No Is OF the ST Charles
Hotel where the prisoner brought before large
man with huge black mustaehe and let black hair,
whom the pretended detectives represented TO be Col
ector Grinne They related 10 him how they had found
the man. together with the goods "a NE street. The
bogus Collector demanded the Frenehmans certificates.
and that the goods must be held and If they not
sufficient value albeit they are clamedl to be worth
his temperance sunday on his protesting that he
had nothing more they relented and allowed their victim
80 Tha DugprQer. having
In the time discovered the imposition that had been
practced upon him, complained to Deputy Collector
Clark OF the Ninth Division OF the Custom House, who
them TO the Office Of Col Frank Howe Special
Agent of the Treasury Department which Is located at
Col Howe Immediately detailed Thomas X Ioole ana
These TWO officers, accompanied by Duverger and his
wife went to the St. Charles Hotel, Room No 49, where
hey found the bogus collector who Is said TO hold re.
sno1sibie position In Government service Agents
Toole and Brush demanded TO know by what night ne
held the goods and where his confederates were He
showed his commission but said he didn't know who the
but he had seen one or them Deiore ahd ex
pected him soon These men, he alleged nad brought
The goods him. saying that they were smuggled, and
then left them there with him The agents ordered MN
20 sc nd the goods at Col Howe, which DONE
The next morning they reported Col Howe that they
had obtained possession OF the goods. and had IN the
meantime Learned mpo VeS rSey then went
to the Custom.House and left word for
the Office Of the special agent In few moments he sp,
peared and was Intercepted concerning his cOnfeder-
ates After considerable equivOcaon he admitted that
his confederates John W. Lalor, and that he
was clerk in the Naval ONCE Agents Toole and Brush
repaired thther. Gen. Merritt, Naval officer at once
produced Mr. Labor remarking. lie called HIM out,
that II any in his department was guilty OF
such q crime he wanted him dealt with accord.
ing TO law. Lalor was then arrested and
taken before Commissioner Shields. The Special
Agents made afdaviG against kenure and Lal0r, and
Kenure held In 5000 bonds To appear yesterday
while Labor was held In 81 900 bail his own recogniz
ance 10 appear at the time Judge Perrepont sup
posing that only went with Ksnure as interpreter
and not knowing that he had drawn pistol ana parcl-
pated actively the crime but being informed thai La
Tor Implicated more deeply even than ms
lac called the witnesses before him yesterday morning.
and after hearing the evidence, ordered the reaest OF
Ialor which was DONE and he was held IN 5000 bail TO
appear on Monday When Lalor was first arrested
ceiye tile which Labor then rendered deter
mined 10 dismiss him II he should be found guilty OF the
offense with which he II charged.