The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-25

A somewhat singular case came be-
fore Recorder Thompson, in bis ca
pacity as Justice of the Peace, yester-
day afternoon. The parties in court
were Mrs. Ann Il. Read, who keeps a
dressmakiDg establishment on Fran
els Street, in this city, her husband,
Mr. VIM. Ii. Read, and Mr. Thomas
Royston, the Chief of Police of Evans
vile, Indiana. Mrs. Read was under
arrest charged with larceny aud Mr.
Royston was Ia durance on charge Of
perjury. At the time we were pres
ent the lawyers Gen. Bassett and
Colonel Green for Mrs. Reed, and
Colonel Strong, for RoystoD,) were
discussing q point of law as to Wheth-
or a person could be arrested for per-
jury IN swearing out warrant based
on his best knowledge and belief. I"
There was some feeling manifested,
but not much.
The case takes its interest from
these facts:
Up to about the first of November
last, Mr.. VIM H. Read was a well-to
do merchant in Evansville, Indiana,
dealing extensively IN pork, grain and
other produce. During the time Of
his prosperity, his wife bought some
jeWelry and two diamond rings from
parties mentioned below. About the
first of November, Mr.. Read failed in
business, and the amount of his
unpaid liabilities was some $500, in
which was included the bills for this
.jewelry, rings, &c. With his wife he
came TO st. Louis, where they had
friends, and where they remained till
a few weeks ago, when they came to
this city and established a millinery
and dress-making establishment In
Too,le's Block on Francis Street.
About week ago, an account was
sent on here for collection Of the
amount of the bills for the jewelry
and the rings. We believe these
we're put into the hands of Col.
Strong for collection 1t is not quite
clear to US. however, (where defend
ants, own property. IN the shape of a
fine piano and other articles) why
the following papers-which explain
themselves sworn cut;
State Of Missouri, County Of Buchanoa-
Be it remembered u at on this, the 9th day
OF December, a. D. 1869, personally APP
by me duly sworn according to law) upon
his oath states that he has good reason TO
believe ana does believe that William H.
Read and (Ann E Read, his wife, have IN
their possess. on and secTeted about their
persons or premises, on the corner OF
Missouri, one set of fine jewels OF the value
Of $50, the property of George A. Bit
troln, which was fraudulently obtained
from him by said Read and wife on
the 25th OF October, 1869. Also one dia-
mond ring of the value of one hun
and atty dollars, the property OF George a.
Warren and Thomas Conyn2tOn, " hich
were fraGdulently obtained from them by
said Read and wife october 80, 1863. Also
one diamond ring OF the value of one
hundred and sizty-five dollars, the prop
| ertY of 2, L. Geisler & Com pany, which
| was obtained by said Read and wife from
| them fraudulently, on the lst day OF Nc
vember, 1869, and that said property was
/ obtained fraudul entity, as Aforesaid by said
Read and wife and secreted and fraudu-
| lently brought into This state.
ISignedl j. w. STRONG
| subscribed and sworn TO before me this
| 10th day ol December. 1869.
&. III. THOMPSON, j. p.
| The state Of Missourt-To the Constable
Of washington Township, Greeting:
| whereas, IL appears TO me, G. M. Thorn p
| son, a Justice OF the Peace In and for said
| county. that the following goods: one set
/ of fine jeWeiry, two diamond rings, were
/ on or about the 18th of October, 1863, and
| October goth, 1869, fraudulently obtained
! and carried away from the premises OF
/ George a. BrittroI6 and Geo. Warren and
/ and are now concealed in the house OF
one William H. Read, and Ann Z. Read, his
wife, in the City OF st. Joseph, in the
| County Of Buchanan. These are, there
| fore, to command you, in the name OF
/ the State OF Missouri, VIII the ueces'
sary and proper assistance, to en.
/ ter in the day time the house OF
1 said VIM III. Read, situated on Francis
| street. between Third and Fourth Streets,
| IN the CITY of st. Joseph. and diligently
| search for the said goods, &C, and If the
| same be found, or any part thereof, that
/ you bring ne goods so found forthwith be-
/ fore me to ne disposed OF according to law.
| Given under my hand this 10Th day OF De-
cembers 1863. Z. u. THOMPSON, J. p.
The Constable's entry on the back
| of this warrant is as follows:
s'Served the within writ by making dui.
/ gent search for the within described prop
! erty, which was not found. Done IN
/ Washington Township, Buchanan Coun-
/ tv and state of Missouri, this 10th day OF
! December, 1859. IL. STROUD, e. ". 7.
by J. hoREY, Deputy"
When the search had been made
and no ieWelry found, the Reads pro-
cured legal advice, and resisted fur
Their proceedings. The search warrant
sets ont only fraud in obtaining the
goods, while the law IS very explicit
Ia stating that felony must be the
basis of search warrant. But on
Saturday last, MT Royston appeared
upon tho scene and sWore out a war
rant for the arrest Of Mrs. Read, in