The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-18
TRAPPED BY TELEGRAPH.
A Pair of Gay Young Sports
"Across the Continent"
A Clerk Raises q Check from S57 to $500
Starts for California with Friend-Their
Doings, Arrest and Examination
Held in $4,000 Bail.

Wall street maintains its reputation ana supplies
the magistrates and police with suciency OF work.
The latest sensation comes from Ewell, Wood
co. Is ONCE, No. 10 Wall street. Plny Freeman Ed
wards, dashing. velyet-coated young BrO0klynite,
has for q long time been engaged as check clerk BY
Ewel Co., and 1t was part OF his duty to Ill up
the checks for parties doing business with the firm,
and hand them in to the principal for signature. He
frequently drew checks also for petty cash, for
small amounts varying from twenty-five to hun
dred dollars. On the 18th OF March last he filed up
o blank for ifty-seven dollars, marking the same
amount on the counterpart OF the check book and
gave 1t TO Mr. George @. Wood for signature, who
signed 1t under the impression it was intended for
the latter purpose, to defray small office expenses,
&C. In few minutes after the check had been
signed 1t presented at the Union National Bank,
Wall street, by Edwards, but 1t had
BEEN ALTERED FROM $57 TO $1,000.
Augustus M. Smith, the paying teller paid him
the full amount over In legal tender notes and passed
the check to debit OF Ewel co. When the pass
book was made up the latter firm Immediately dis
covered the fraud, and on looking for the defend
ant they learned that he had been non est for seve
raj days, and with him young man named Craw-
ford, arellow employe under the same firm. COM
Police and some friends who were likely to give
Information OF Edwards Whereabouts, and 1t was
soon ascertained that Crawford and Edwards
HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA,
and taken up quarters at the LICK House, San Fran
cisco. Information was sent on to San Francisco to
ngy they were arrested the police Of that city,
and brought TO New York OF q late hour on Friday
as ws aas as w soo as e
should arrive III New York. and placed 1t In the
hands OF Roundsman Barrett, who met Captain
Jones with the prisoners at the depot on their arrl-
val, ana took them TO the Central once. When al
resled
IN SAN FRANCISCO
the officer stated they We're living In grand style,
'doing the theatrical route every night and making
things ny;' they had engaged splendid rooms,
partners, dressed IN the very height OF fashion
and spent money as though there was no bottom to
possession on the I'd OF April So 500 IN currency,
gold watch and handsome guard valued at about
silver watch and guard. two silver mounted seven
shooters and some diamond studs, the whole Of the
Of Police IN San Francsce grrt for the
money payable 10 the captain who brought them on
to this city, the whole OF the property being placed
OF the case has been made by the authorities.
EXAMINATION OF TIE PRISONERS.
Tombs before Judge Bowling yesterday afternoon,
who sat for the purpose Of an inyestgation;Y
Bank in substance tho same as that stated above.
George 2. Wood stated that ne signed TIE check
Tue question then arose as 70 what part Crawford
nau ,aK ken IA Tue vS - INC WAS ho'n. 70
fore 1t occurred, although it was clear he must have
known that when they both ran away from their Sit
uatiOns together, and travelled upon
THE MONEY SUPPLIED so PLENrIFULLY
by Edwards. he was doing wrong, and that the lat
the money. He admitted taking $500 In one dollar
bills from Edwards. purchased various articles and
paid his way with it but denied any knowledge Of
the manner in which Edwards got II.
Judge Dowling-There may have been COLLISION be-
tween them; and their being companions, living near
together, going away in company and being ar
rested together, gives 1t strong coloring OF sus
plcion and may seem to De sufficient evidence to the
minds OF the prosecutors, but 1t is necessary to
prove act his part that tended accelerate
the crime or assisted or cOnnIved at the affair.
"But viii your Honor not allow the officer to
make his statements ~ tnterposed Mr.. Wood. al
believe Crawford admitted sharing the money with
Edwards
Oicer Jones said that Crawford only stated ne re-
ceved the money from the hands Of the ether after
he had been asked to accompany him to California.
81 must discharge him, as there is nothing proved
to thai he knew anything OF the robbery until
the arrest was made, but / must hold the other
prisoner. whom fully commit for trial." said the
Judge.
the prisoner is not yet twenty years OF age. His
mother was In court, ana seemed greatly affected
stons in default Of $4,000 bail.
The prisoner admitted collecting the money from
the bank, but denied that the check was altered
after Mr.. Wood signed 1t. cit was signed for the
amount he took away"