Evening star., 1869-12-30
Much Ado about q r...,..
A vER~ ewsas A"e'

s!I.. Ogsioue cAsv.
The singular case ia reference to the owner
hip OF a se"i-ag naschise, heretofore referred
o IN lHE STAR was up again before Justice
D. II. s NTH yesterday afternoon. 1t appears
In the evidence that Mrs. Trumbull, a wO-
drea, had been furnished with a sewing ma
chine, purchased by the contributions of several
Of the lady clerks of the Treasury and Treasurer
+. 4. Spinner. The machine was procured for
the woman upon condition, ii Is alleged, that
she would use it to gain livelihood. A board
Ing place was provided, and for a time she got
along very well. but a few weeks ago she be-
came totally unit for work, and on the affidavit
of Mrs. Davis was committed to the workhOuse
as a yagrant. As Is usual in such cases, the po-
lice took possession of her effects, (among which
was the sewing machine, y and turned them over
der signed by two of the lady clerks and Gen.
Spinner, delivered up the machine to the
donors-who turned 1t over to Mrs. Davis. When
loss, and had Mrs. Davis arrested for larceny.
Hence the trial.
Yesterday afternoon DIR. III. NJ Howard testi-
fed as to his selling n sewing machine to Mrs.
Harris, of the Treasury Department, and which
he had delivered. at her request, to Mrs. rrum-
bull, at the house of Mrs. Williams He had
met Mrs. Harris before, and she had stated that
she wished to parchase n sewing machine for a
Mrs. Trumbull, subscription for that purpose
having been gotten up among the ladies of the
Treasury Department. This was last October.
~
PlOyee in the Treasury Department. A sub
scfiPtioA was started in that office. the object
being the purchase of sewing machine for
Mrs. Trumbuu. She had subscribed, and knew
of others that had done so. She was not aware
that any conditions were required, or were
necessary, as to the wortiiineAs or good behavior
of the recipient. She had signed an order for
the recovery OF the machine at the request of
others.
Mrs. A. c. Harris was sworn, and said that
she was a cOpyist in the Treasury Department.
M finv tn al yUit fha Snr6i lin nf NrS
Trumbull to the wOrkhOuse-had never advised
with Mrs Davis on the subject Of having her
sent there, with the view of obtaining possession
Il. had been sent there, she, (Mrs. Harris,) with
others, desired to get the sewing machine re-
turned, to be disposed of and the proceeds
placed in the hands Of General Spinner to be
disposed of to other objects of charity more
worthy than Mrs. TrumbulI. She penned the
order herself to the property clerk for the de-
Mrs. Q. &. Green and herself had signed. When
Mrs. Trumbull first was an applicant for en-
ployment in the Treasury Department, she
she was a worthy person for employment. She
was at hrst pleased with her appearance,
and pitied her destitute and unfortunate
situation, with three little children to pro-
vide for. She was informed that she
was too vile a creature for them to touch. She
would not believe these reports, and thought
her a prosecuted woman. She had defended
her at the Christian Association rooms, when
Mr.. Hall had spoken ill Of her. She saw that
her children were in want of clothing; had been
told by Mrs. Williams that she used laudanum
to great excess, but thought her troubles had
much to do with it, and she introduced the sub
lecf OF buying a sewing machine for her, which
Mrs. L. seemed very grateful for. Soon after
this, an officer from the State of Minnesota
came here to take her children away from her,
and she had demonstrated against its being
done-had quite an alteration with said officer,
telling him that if he got the children it would
be over her dead body. At this time Mrs. L.
was very poor, and had pawned her two trunks
and she Mrs. Harris) had begged twelve dollars
TO redeem the trunks for her. Finally this Off
Ger decided not to take her children. At the
time Mrs: Trumbull was arrested, Mrs. Davis
Davis wanted to buy a sewing machine, and
this was taken there to sell to her, so that the
proceeds could go to more worthy objects Had
seen Mrs Trumbull under the influence of laud-
anum.
DIR. Darby was examined as to the quantity of
laudanum person accustomed and unaccus-
toned to its use could take.
MIS- Williams was recalled and said, after
Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Green called at her
mouse, and they were looking over the
pawn tickets and other property of Mrs.
Irumbull, and she overheard their CONVEX
satlOn about the division of the effects; one
ciaiming silk dress, the other some other arti-
cles which were there or in pawn. Previous to
Mrs. Trumbull. being sent away a gentleman
vas introduced by her to witness as Sergeant i'm
ne Marine Corps, who witness soon found was
acting husband of Mrs. Trumbull, and after she
vas sent to the workhOuse he took one of the
children into his custody. Witness recognized
me OF the policemen present as the so-called
missed, and it became known, Mrs. Davis, in
% fqeeR a t. M %h5s st should s be done
treet.
This closed the evidence, and the Justice re-
eryed his decision until twelve O'Clock tO-mor-
Ow,