The New York herald., 1870-11-24
UNDER THE HARROW.

lie fOrXoW WI nv AsVsAA0AHSSAs
Judge Barnard Furnishes Him
for Oontempt-His Vic
TINS Statement
PouGHKYRPsIR, Nov. %, 1870
For many weeks Richard w. Akin has ooen con-
ned In the jai In this city. IL Will be rememoered
that ne was OF the firm OF Davis Akin, VINO col
apsed In New York city on the 10th Of May. 1859.
They were brokers' 1t is supposed that the nrm was
originally organized by Akin. Ward +. Robinson and
Cornelius D. Robinson for the purpose OF cheating
and derraudag the public the spoils TO be divided
among rne Conspirators. Tho testimony given be-
fore referee in this city seems 10 lend
color II 1t does not entirely prove that
sucn was the case. ! make some extracts:--
Charles ". Ne,cconaD ana Joseph N. Cook rs
James w. D0uts and Richard AEin.-Examination
Of r. W. Akin In proceedings supplementary TO exc
cution before William J. Thorn, referee conducted
by II. Luther Hamilton, Of New York, attorney for
the plantlns. Akin appeared before the referee on
October 81, by order OF Judge Barnard ana refused
to answer any question because his New York coun-
seI was not present On November he and his
New York counsel appeared before the referee, ana
by advice Of his counsel he refused to answer any
questions concerning his property or the manner IN
which he had disposed or 1t for the following rea-
sons:--
First- Because the copy OF the order made by
Judge Barnard was signed ~. Barnard" instead Of
]. Il. Barnard.
reside in New York city.
The referee reported Akins refusal to answer TO
Judge Barnard, who ordered him to answer the
questions and, Notwithstanding this order and tho
express order Of the referee, he again refused to
answer, his New York counsel, however,
declaring It was done without any In
..v~k I'm A<n-
vember A AXE was brought before Judge Barnard
to answer for the contempt, and having given no
sufficient excuse he was told that he must either
answer or submit to the sevcrest penalty the law
thorzeu; but II he submitted to the examination
this would be considered by the Court In fixing the
penalty. He cried pscedUi, and yielded to the ex-
animation, the contempt proceedings being ad.
,ourned &c November Is.
The examination was then proceeded with before
the referee, Alns New York counsel not being pre-.
sent, The entire testimony shows
WONDERFUL LACK OF MEMORY
on the part or Akin as 70 what might be regarded as
matters OF inlnort1nce to most people.
In reply TO questions Akin stated he was formerly
a member OF the firm OF Akin & Davis, and his con-
necton with It has not yet ceased; put could not
moi. He stated that between May 10, 1859,
ana February l5, 1870, ne resided IN Mas Mas
ueal in May. 1869, under the assumed name
or q. p. Curtis; up TO the present time ne
hoQ dealt mostly IN horses and STOCKS on cfedlt anu
has earned about $500; my Other means OF support
has been b0rrc.yed money and during that period
haye used ato,.etner from 5000 V $1,000; the firm
deposits but AKIN could not tell what mad become
si that capital: he had used some OF It; some OF
ten whion; he was very forgetfu.; he couldn't tell
without memorandum; he hadn't the least idea {;
AGAIN FoRdETFuL.
Coming to the day Akin absconded, the attorney
asked him IN reation to his drawing money on that
day: lie replied, ~ drew portion Of the capital
OF the irm on May 15 ;86g--tiiat IL, signed some
checks, brt didn't I'LL them OUT. didn't draw the
money on them. did not draw any money indi.
tel whether drew check on the hrm to the order
Of Charles Mcclure n Co for s2aeSo: or one 10 the
's' e CAN'T 5 oGsss say wssse1 1'' q .aas asy
! took away any stocks tor the orlce
20 s 0T any s as oSs cns
the firm; can't tell the amount; perhaps $4,000,
perhaps $4,000: can't tell ANYTHING about the
amount; can't tel who they were bought from;
they We're ai delivered; can't tell because can't;
whom part OF them were delivered, to me; can't
say the amount: think S. 600 to me; can't swear
there were not $4,000; IN swear there were not
q. WIN you swear there we're not $4,000 A.
cannot swear anything about it.
AKIN AGAIN NTUaACIOUS.
@. Did You on May 10 1862. have In yonr posses
SION any stocks Or their prOceees, belonging TO the
firm, or any belonging TO yourself, or any bonds
purchased for tho urm Or yoursena A. can't
answer that question.
".
belonging to the Ilrm, 100 shares OF New York
Central stock, 100 Pacific. Mall, 800 Chicago
II ,ns % any q ,s m bought 10 M hcce
Tor ss5iT5a A. can't tell without the books Of the
concern. "a check OF the firm Tor S35,476 to the
order OF Jay Cooke " Go. was here show Akin, and
no said. "'fhe signature Is in my handwriting"
Check Of firm for $25,o5o TO the order Of Charles
Akin--i can swear that that signature is in my
handwriting; think II is; have reason TO doubti il.
a arc A..
checks signed and I can't tell; l dont deny the
signature; don't say 1t is or is not my signature
Q: Is that Inc signature oi the nrm made by your
A. should think it was Sir.
FINED FOR C0NTEMrT.
On November Is Akin was brought before Judge
Barnard and fined S125 Tor contempt and ordered
to laL tli the fine should be paid.
HIS MEAioRY FEFREsHED.
Probably the above fine refreshed his memory, for
when his examination was again proceeded with he
tesded that he recoilected the Jay Cooke Co. trans
action, and that the check OF Tie firm for S25,475
was given TO Jay Cooke co. to buy bonds with and
presumed 1t was drawn by hnsef. Finally after
persistent Questioning, he sall he knew It was,
aud the bonds were bought for Ward H.
Robinson and were delivered 10 him the same day
by himself AT tus point M. Hamilton pressed
question after Question upon Akin IS TO why tas
money wac PAID Robinson, Akin invariably replying
".iad 10 &c lor aebs owcd him; de0t sad to he
$I5U9o,o Akin SAID Ne never Eept any account Of the
sun he owed Ro9son, but supposed lG was $4,000
or $so,c0J; he thlnss now he has paid the whole OF
papers pass betBcen them; he th.nks also that The
bonds bousht q Acciule q GO. were also delivered
10 hoDlnsuhi lhIiks ne delivered them himself at
No. IS Broad street, Tew YORK.
ASAIN CONTuMACfOUs.
@. Did you on May is absc9Sd from the city of
NCw York; a. 4 deciiuc 10 answer that question
un,il the audge PASSES upon it,
Z. Dil you whea you arrived ut Montreal enter
your name rpon e register Of tho Ottawa Hotel as
"C. r. Curtis:n a. decline TO answer that ques-
ton until me Judge passes upon it,
g.. dow long did you remain theref a. In Mon
troal and pace called Hochelaga where the jail
l5, about ten months.
q DID you MORN your partner Davis ? A. I de-
cline To answer. E.y -t i.
in reply to further questioning Akin refused to
state whether he received money means from
Waro Il. Robinson while at Montreal, but said he
always got money--trom &c., S5Ou0 or $4,000
from one man, an old friend or his 1atiers Keeper
OF the Montreal Jail, and paid him back with money
borrowed rom Ward Il. Robinson. He stated, also,
tnat Lhe debt due from him TO Ward X. Robinson
was for borrowed money and losses in specuatons
but he could not name any particular speculation.
III rC.errn2 to the check bcol or hls firm Akin
testified that account standing on the books In
the iaIne OF - rhornn was said to be his wife,s
He always thought IL TO be hers. 1t was opened at
No In