The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-08
COURT OF GENERAL SESSloss.

Before Cunning s. Bedford, City Judge.
AN "oFFioiALn swINDLEH cAuGHr-JuDGE BEDFORD
SENDS A PRETENDED MARSHAL IN THE MAYORS
OFFICE TO THE STATE PRISON FOR DEFRAUDiNd
CIrIZESs.
AT the opening OF the court yesterday Assistant
District Attorney Fellows placed At The bar Nicholas
| G. Conan, alias William Ii. Murphy, Charged with
obtaining money by false pretences. The prosecut-
| Ing witness, James Hayes OF the firm OF Lee 4
Hayes grocers, 800 Seventh avenue testided that
the 9th Of September the defendant came to the
store and asked II his firm had permit for Keeping
goods on the sidewalk. He replied that he did not
think there was any occasion for one The prisoner
then said he was an officer from the Mayors once
showed a Marshars badge, and said he was sent
round to have parties who had not permits fined or
to get money for permits. Be ieving his statements
TO be true Mr.. Hayes gave him ten dollars, he pro.
missing to send The permit up, which he failed to do.
He gave Mr.. Hayes a receipt, appending TO II the
name OF William Q. Murphy.
Philip L. Holman, the deputy register OF permits,
connected with the Mayors ONCE testified that he
occupied the position since 1865, and that the prl-
soner was not connected IN any way with the Bureau
of Permits, and had no authority 10 act for that
department.
The prisoner told his story, and wanted the Jury
to believe that he was perfectly innocent He mani
Tested considerable snrewdness IN wording his mar
ratiye or the interview ne had with the complainant,
stating that he explained to him how the alderman
and assistant alderman OF the ward would have to
sign an application for license; that Hayes begged
OF him not 10 have him reported as violating the
tain permit for HIM. Conan denied having
told Hayes that he belonged to the Mayors
marshal In the Corporation Attorneys oiflce under
William Hayes. In explanation OF why he
signed MT. Murphy,s name to the receipt he
said he understood Mr.. Murphy was an inspector IN
the Corporation Attorneys ONCE and, In order that
his books might not be complicated, he thought ne
would sign the inspectors name. lie said he would
have procured the permit had not been for the feet
that ne was arrested TWO days afterward. and had
net time to do so. In answer to pertinent question
nj he Xaa
directly" connected with the Corporation Attor-
ney's office, but he was in Mr.. William Hayes Office
who did all the business for the office.
William III. Murphy, who said he served sum-
mons In the CORPORATION Attorneys office, testified
that the prisoner collected executions for Mr.. Hayes.
The receipt signed by Conlan and gwen to the CON-
plainant was shown TO the witness and pronounced
TO he q forged signature
and Mr.. Fellows said there were twenty gentlemen In
court whom Conan, alias Murphy, had swiDded In u
similar way and that 1t was time to put him out OF
the way.
The prisoner was asked by the clerk what he had
10 say why judgment should not be pronounced
against him; and, among other reasons why the
Judge should let him CO. he assigned the novel one
thatif his Honor should imprison him he night be-
come worse man than he was now.
Judge Bedford, In passing sentence, sad:-Con-
hn-Asa warning to The many vagabonds and i'm
posters who lnlest this city and live by representing
themselves as being connected with officials anu
fraudulently obtaining money from honest citizens,
shall send you TO the State Prison for the term OF
three years.
William Mosher was charged with assautIng Peter
Wilmot on the 10th or November by threatening To
shoot him with pistol. 4he evidence was contra
dicory, and as the prisoners statement that he
badly beaten by Wilmot and his gang was cor
roborated BY the police officer the jury acquitted
the accused.
A DARING BURGLAR CAUGHT BY THE THRoAr-HE IS
SENT TO THE STATE PRISON FOR FIVE YEARS.
Thomas 0strander was Tried and convicted OF bur-
glary Ia the third degree, he having been caught, at
half-past one O'Clock III the morning by Henry Yves.
ton III his confectionery store at James slip ferry.
The case was so clear ana az there were no miti-
eating circumstances, Judge Bedford imposed the
highest penalty the law allowed, which was
prsonment In tho State Prison for five years.
AN ACQUITTAL
Bernard Thornton, decrepld old man, was ac-
Quilted OF charge OF attempting to steal some
rope from the steamer Etnl on the 10th OF October
LARCENY or HARNESS.
Charles Sparks was convicted OF grand larceny in
stealing u set OF harness IN February, 1859, the
property or Samuel NJ. Brown, OF Harlem. He was
sent 10 the State Prison for one year.
Inc following is the calendar for to-day:-The
People vs.. Pnillp Cooney, murder; Same vs. George
Nelson, murders Same vs.. Walter Prince, robbery;
Same vs.. Richard Harold burglary: Same VS.. George
Livingston and William Burns, burglary; Same vs..
Charles Burke, burglary.