The New York herald., 1869-06-08
THE ALLEGED ARSON CASE.

Tho Burning of the Briggs Brothers, Sta.
Discrimination Before Judge Downing
What the Accused Parties Say for Them.
selves-The Papers Sent to the Grand Jury.
An examination In the case Of John NJ Briggs.
Robert L. Briggs, Henry G. Ross and william p.
Sheldon, arrested on charge OF firing or being i'm
pcated in the firing Of the livery stables of Briggs
Brothers. in West Twenty-third street, destroyed,
with large number Of horses, the night OF the
30h OF December last took place at ten O'Clock yeser
day morning before Judge Bowling at the Tombs. All
the prIsoners-the FIRST three named above being a.
will be remembered under $4,000 bail each-were
promptly In attendance and their respective counsel.
Mr.. Sheldon was brought from his cell in the City
Prison, where he has been confined ever
since his arrest. large number OF speo-
tators, comprising friends Of the accused
and representatives of fire insurance companies,
feeling greatly interested in the result present
on the case being called counsel for the two Briggs
These parties were accordingly formally examined.
the questions and answers being respectively as fol-
lows The tirst one examined was John n. Briggs
z. What is your DameS A. John N. Briggs.
Q. How old are you A. Forty.
q. Where were you borna A. Duchess county.
Q; Where do you liver A. Corner l25th street and
8. what is your occupations A. Livery statae
keeper.
Q. Have you anything to say, and If So what re-
atve 20 the charge here preferred against your A.
IL would be, rs am advised by counsel. sufficient to
answer not guilty; but desire further to sayethatI
now producing witnesses, because the magistrate.
as am also advised, only estimate the question
Of probable cause and may consider himself bound
apparent prejudice. deny the inconsistent tnven-
tions OF the compliments wholly and In all their
parts, and am ready to meet them before any Jury,
VIII ether those inventions re produced to defeat my
insurance claims, or whether. failing even to obigo
my good character, and at the proper time viii
show the conspiracy that has been entered into be-
tween Insurance agents and purchable witnesses 70
Dlackrnall or annoy me Dy the present suit.
Mr.. Robert l.. Briggs was Iext examined.
q. What Is your name A. Robert l.. Briggs.
Q. How old are your A. Twenty nine We ars
:. q Where were you bornf A. Dutcness county.
Q. Where do you liver A. Corner 125th street. and
& what is your occupations A. Livery stable
O. Have you anything to say, and If so what
relative to the charge here preferred against your
that OF John NJ Briggs.
Mr.. Henry G. Ross was now examined.
Q. What Is you names A. Henry G. Ross.
O. How old are your A. Twenty -four years.
d Where were you born A. ontario county.
Q. Where do you liver A. No. 14s West Twenty
fourth street.
o What is your occupations A. Foreman for
@ Have you anything say. and II so, what, reIa-
tive 10 the charge here preferred against your A. e
would be- as am advised by counsel suficiens to
answer, not guilty; but desire further to say that
have waived examination and given bail without
producing witnesses, because the magistrate as
am also advised can only estimate the question OF
probable cause, and may consider himself bound for
the present to accept the sworn alterations 70 my
apparent prejudice. deny the inconsistent inven-
tlons of the compainans wholly and In all their
parts, and am ready to meet them before any Jurys
and at the proper time will show the conspiracy
that has been entered into between insurance agents
and purchasable witnesses 10 defeat the Insurance.
claims Of my former employers
Mr.. Sneldon was now called up. He made 70.
quest through his counsel 10 De allowed, under the
late law on this subject to testify his behalf
The Judge said ne could interp0se no objection and
Mr. Sheldon was accordingly sworn. lie confirmed
simply the statement OF his published IN Sundays
HERALD.
'Is that all Mr.. sheldon hos to offer for himselfs'
the Judge asked.
sYes" replied his counsel
"Well III have TO recommt him To prison for trial
unless he can find bai,r SAID the Judge.
'IIow much bail do you requireSr asked his coun.
sci.
'The same as for each Of the other accused par.
ties-f5O,00O.
'Thc bail cannot be given now,- said the counsel.
Mr.. Sheldon, therefore, was formally eXamineu ,
U. What ~ your namoS A. william r. sneidon.
O. How old are your A. Forty y-one years.
@ Where were You born' Az on'ar'o counV,
o. where do YOU liver A. National Hotel.
q. What Is your occupationS A. Veterinar sur
% Have Won ANYTHING TO say, and II So what rca.
alive In the charge preferred against you A.
MOI guilty; the statement have sworn TO Is my an-
swer to this question.
Animation the two Briggs brothers and Mr.. Ross
were allowed 10 depart on their previous bail ana
Mr. sheldon was sent TO his old quarters IN the City
Prison. The papers were ut once sent to the Grand
Jury.
MAJOR GENERAL TERRy.--Major General Terry
has taken the dwelling Oak street. last occupied
by General Meade, where his residence will be IN
future. Ills household Will consist OF his mother and
Two sisters, all OF whom accompanied him hero. The
lMa1ies M oI ue CITY, we presume, VIII not 90 long ~