The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-02
STRAW BAH
Bold Case of Perjury and OOnspIracy-HOw
Judge PaxsOn wRs DeceIYed--A Model Law
vera Smnrt Piece of Der ecfIve WORK.

Bold Case of Perjury and ConspIracy-HOw
Judge PaxsOn was DeceIYed-A Model Law
vera Smart Piece Of Detective Work.
Our readers will remember that few days
ago we chronicled the arrest and commitment
Oh the woman Catharine Wait on the charge of
arson. Mrs. Wait was the proprietress of the
boarding-hous No 43l N. Eighth street, where
the mysterious coal oil explosion took place,
and which was again set fire to on last Saturday
night Fire Marshal Blackburn, after much
earnest labor, succeeded in tracing the crimi-
nality to Mrs. Wait, and she, as we have said,
was committed to prison to await trial at
court.
Knowing the character of all the parties con-
cerned, the Fire Marshal knew also that, if pos
sible, the prisoner would be released on 'straw"
bail and would thus escape. To prevent this he
called on Recorder Givin and posted him as to
the case; he then visited the Court of Quarter
Sessions, Judge Peirce presiding and related the
circumstances to him and all the officers of the
Court.
Shortly afterwards several professional bal-goers
called on the Recorder and desired to enter bail for
the prisoner, out the Recorder, knowing bail TO
mined that he would accept bail Whatever in the
case. Finding their 'Ittle game" blocked, the nte-
rested ones began to work in another quarter, and
succeeded in hoodwinklng Judge Paxson and obtain-
ing the release OF Mrs. Wait
Yesterday, after the Court OF Quarter Sessions
had adjourned, counsel sneaked into the Court OF
Common Pleas, and offered one James N Park as
bailee. The bond. was fixed at $1,000, and Mr.. Park
presenting deed for house and lot No. 726 N.
Second street. and swearing to the ownership OF the
same, was accepted, and a discharge issued
Quarter Sessions, at once informed the Fire Mar
snal OF the fact and he started out to search the
street he found that no such person as Parks lived
there, but that on the contrary 1t was an old two
and. a-half-storied building, occupied by a family
named Cottman, and used as q tavern.
Meantime Assistant District Attorney Pratt had
heard Of the matter, and in company with Mr.. Gal
Mr. Pratt inquired OF the Chief as to whether he
knew Mrs. Wait or not Receiving an affirmative
answer he then begged of the Chief to do all In his
power to rearrest her. The Chief answered that he
would, and taking with him Court Detective Webb
he at once started for the olce OF Charles Brooke
counsel Tor Mrs. Wait. Walking into the office he
there found Mrs. Wait and took her into custody
just one hour and ten minutes after she had been
released.
This being accomplished, the 'principal" secured,
search was at once instituted for the "bail."
Chief Kelley, Detectives Webb and Miller and
Oficer Fuller at once set out, and worked like
beavers all through the drenching storm OF last
night succeeding at length in tracing the matter to
the residence Of the sister Of Mrs. Wait.
From this sister the officers obtained such infor-
nation as led them to arrest Antoine Aver Charles
Dott and Henry Reichert, alias James N Parks
and TINS morning the prisoners We're arraigned be.
fore Alderman Better
Henry s. RecheIt was FIRST tried. He gave his
residence as NO. 913 St. )hn street, and his business
shoemaking
Joseph &. Galton being sworn, testified that
Retchert yesterday appeared before Judge PaXson
and offered bail for Catharne Wait, swearing that
he was the owner OF real estate fifteen lots OF which
were located in Frankford, aud he was worth $1,000
S9O00 that he lived at No 100 North Second street.
owned the property, and that his name James
N Parks; witness has since made research, and
found that the property was recorded in the name
given, but had been conveyed to one Charles Dott
on the sth Of March. 1868
Mr.. Miller then testified to arresting Reichert and
to his confessng that he never owned any property
here or elsewhere. Witness also found the deed
named in his possession.
Upon this evidence the Alderman held Rel
ebert in the sum Of $4,000 to answer the charge of
perjury.
Antoine Auer and Charles DuT were next ar
ragned, the former giving as his residence No. lis
Dean street, and occupation barkeeper; the latter,
No. 1927 Warnock street. business real estate agent
and office No. 13S S. Eighth street.
The sister Of Mrs. Wait was the first witness
called: she testified that in the start an attempt had
been made to secure the release OF her sister by
offering Duff as bail before Recorder Givin but that
of1cial would not accept it. On Wednesday evening
Auer, DUFF, and Reichert called at her residence,
and Auer stated that he could find bail for con-
sderation Witness told Auer that she had but $50.
Auer replied that the sum sufficient and then in
troduced Reichert the man, saying that he owned
real estate, and was freeholder An appointment
was then made, and a meeting nXed in the neigh
borhood Of Sixth ahd Chestnut streets.i
The parties again coming together, witness gave
Auer check for $50 on John o'Byrne, and some
minutes afterwards met A. in the Ledger office, and
gave him two five dollar notes, making in all sixty
dollars.
visit was then paid to the Office OF lawyer
named Hofner, No. 8 Ledger building, where the
"deed" was examined and the game" fixed up.
Detective Miller then testified that Auer had
it, giving Reichert $40 Dott $40, the lawyer So, and
he himself retained s5. He further stated that Dott
furnished the deed" and Reichert did the swearing
This closed the evidence, when District Attorney
Pratt asked that the prisoners be held In sufficient
| bail on tive charges-frst, with conspiracy to effect
the escape of prisoners and second with suborna-
ton OF perjury. The alderman then fixed the bail in
the first case at $4,000 each, and the second $1,000
making total OF s6000 each.
In closing the report OF this case, we feel it our
duty to say few words in reference to the ofsers
| engaged therein. To Chief Kelley belongs the lions
share of the praise for his prompt and speedy per-
sonal services in securing the principal In so short
| space of time. and we congratulate Mayor Fox On
| the possession OF such desirable officer.
| To Messrs. Miller. Webb, Gaton, and Fuller JUS
ice is also due. These gentlemen, by earnest work
and perfect knowledge of their duties have rendered
| the community inestmable service In their quick
detection of the conspiracy, and their prompt cap
ture OF the conspirators. The job was the neatest
performed, and rebounds greatly to the credit
| Of each and all.
ON THE HIGH SEAS.