The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-10-20

J. D. wERLEs. his coLoRED LIBRA.
RIAN, REMOVES HIS QUARTERS
TO THE CITY JAIL
Books Stolen and Sold to C. L. C. CASS,
(Whits)-1ke Receiver Of Public
Monies and a "Truly Loyal
ban the Purchaser.


Justice NJ. M. Peyton, yesterday, in which
the State of Mississippi as the prosecutor of
J. D. Werles, Jr., (colored) on the charge of
larceny. The voluntary statement of Werles
throws some light on the way the s'trooly
loil,' takes possession of the peoples prop
erty. as follows:
About month ago, w. I'll. Farniss, then
clerk to the Secretary OF State, gave Weries
three sets of Mississippi Reports, running
from vol. Smedes.and Marshall, TO the 4lst
vol. inclusive. Asked Werles to box up one
set and send to the Hon. ]. NJ. Langston (coi-
ored,) Prof. Law, Howard University, Wash
ington, D. c., one set for himself (werIes)
and one set for Fnrniss. Boxed up one set
for Langston, but had no cover for the box
and left it in his room took his own set
there also, and sent Furniss' set by boy
named Willie Howard, to Furciss' house;
afteward sold his, (Werles) to Capt. Cass, for
$50. These books were brought by two par
ties from the archieyes room Of the Secreta-
ry of State, and delivered to Werles in the
Library. Was in the room with Furniss
when he got the books down. Werles con-
suited none of the State officers relative to
the matter.
On the 1st of October, he sold to a man
named Stevenson lot of old iron and rub
bish, Gncluding two eagles from the Capitol
gate, valued at S50,) from the Capitol, for
which he received the sum of$8.
Capt. Cass was the first witness called,
who testified to having purchased from and
paid Werles, $50, for the set of books re-
ferred to, but at the same time thought they
were worth So per volume. Cass the same
day, Nast Tuesday, informed the Governor
of the transaction.
James Lynch, Secretary of State, testified
that books in the archives room were the
property of the State, and that Mississippi
reports were worth 50 per volume. Knew
nothing of the removal of any books from
there. Furniss was his Clerk up to the Sth
of September last, and in that capacity had
access to the room indicated. Werles had
in courtesy been allowed to go in and out
of the room at pleasure, owing to his posi-
ton as Librarian.
Gov. Alcorn testified that infor-
nation of the sale of certain books
had been conveyed to him. Sent for Werles
who acknowledged that he had sold the
books to Cass. Governor asked where he
got the books, when Werles in a defiant
manner said he didn't care to tell, as they
were his own property. The Governor said
he would find way to make him tell, and
sent for the Sheriff. Werles then became
somewhat nervous and told how he came in
possession of the books.
Judge Tarbell had frequently missed books
from the Library, certain books that he had
ond mrho INF
for reference they could not be found. Sew
eral books had been seriptitiously removed
from the consulting room of the Supreme
Court TO which room Werles had access
For three months past the matter has given
him especial annoyance and had frequently
spoken to Werles on the subject ana only
was waiting for meeting of the Library
Trustees to investigate the matter.
Two complete sets of reports were brought
into Court by the Sheriff, one set being
from the house of Werles, amongst them
were a large number of other law books
marked u. H. Piles" and some of the books
thus marked were also marked estate Libra
ry." Two volumns of CushiAgs Mississippi
Reports-27 and 29,-Hilgards Geology, and
a copy of the laws of 81 were brought from
the residence of Furniss.
w. II. Furniss. (colored,) Circuit Clerk of
Warren county, was next introduced, and
being informed by the Attorney General
that he was suspected as an accomplish and
need not communicate anything that would
criminate himself proceeded to testify to
the effect that he knew nothing of any books
in the possession of Werles except as State
Librarian, had never given Werles books
from the archives room or from anywhere
else; had given Werles the key to the room
at different times as a matter of courtesy
had sent a set of Mississippi Reports to
vicksburg for the Circuit Clerks Office
shortly after his appointment to Office.
Was present at a conversation between
Langston and Werles when Langston asked
Werles to give him some state documents
WerIes said he would do what he could for
him, and Furniss said he would do the |
same.
Auditor Musgrove had met Stevenson |
coming out of the Capitol with lot Of old
iron amongst which were two iron eagles |
belonging to the gate posts; asked Steven |
son where he got them, and was informed |
that he had purchased them from Weries
and had bill of sale for them and refused |
to give them up. Said he would take a
dollar for them, which Mr.. MLsgrove gave
him and took the two eagles to the Auditors |
Office; Afterwards spoke with Werles about |
It and afterwards Werles came to him for
settlement (having been suspended from his
Office by the Governor) and offered to settle |
and take in the eight dollars he had received
from Stevenson as a part of his dues Mr..
Musgrove declined to SO settle.
Judge Morris and Judge Swami testified |
TO the value of the books.
Judges Speed and Osgood testified to
having seen set of Mississippi Reports in |
the Office of the Circuit Clerk in Vieksburg, |
and the name HW. H. Furniss, Circuit |
Clerk marked on some of them
Attorney General Morris appeared as
counsel on the part of the State, and Simon
Jones for Werles-
An affidavit was made against w. IL.
Furniss as an accomplish. but waived an
examination, and the Court held each OF
the accused In bond of 81 900, which was
given by Furniss, but Werles was remainder
70 jail
4Ohi where are the friends Of my youth"
From the Brandon Republican.
Stealing On a Small Scale.