The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-28
A GREAT CONSPIRACY EXPOSED.
Ring to Rob the Government of S40O 200
-TNYelxe of the accused Under Arrest.

A Ring to Rob the Government of SIOO, 600
Twelve of the Accused Under Arrest.
Some weeks since Mr.. Abner B. Newcomb
assistant to Colonel Whitley, of the Secret
Service Division of the Treasury Department
became aware that fraudulent claim had been
forwarded to Washington, by Frederick w.
Smith, claim agent, to obtain both pay aud
bounty money alleged to be due to the father of
Emile Ling, a deceased Union soldier.
An investigation showed that Ling had no
father living, and that a proper claim had been
filed by his mother.
Smith was arrested, broughtIbefore Commits
soner Davenport and gave 5000 bail for Al
examination. He failed to appear for examina-
ton, was rearrested, and his bail increased to
$4,000.
He then made full confession, duplicating
some twenty persons, whom, he said composed
a ring to cheat the Government by preparing
and presenting forged claims, purporting to
emanate from relatives of dead soldiers for
bounty money and back pay due the heirs of
said soldiers.
On his information, Henry NJ. karples, for
merly lieutenant colonel of the SD New York
Volunteers, was arrested and brought before
Commissioner Davenport, on the charge of
being one of the principal operators in these
frauds. The specific charge against Karples
was that he signed the name "Jaceb Schreber"
to claim for bounty money alleged to be due
to Paul Schrieber formerly second lieutenant
of Company A, SGD New York Volunteers. In
this claim Jacob was described as the father of
Paul, aud the rightful heir of his claims when,
as matter OF 1act, IL docs not appear that
karples ever saw such man as Jacob or knew
of his existence. Karples was committed for
examination in default of &10, 900 bail.
II. g. Harmon, special agent of the Second
Auditors Department, made an investigation at
Washington, and found that similar fraudulent
claims had been presented by about twenty per-
sons in this city, and to such an extenti that, if
they had all been allowed, the Government
would have been defrauded cut of about
$400, 900.
Shortly after Karples' arrest q notary public
calling himself the Rev. DR.. Charles Nanz, was
arrested for alleged completely ia these frauds
it being charged that the claims were sworn to
before him, he being well aware of their frau
dulept character. This se-called doctor of
divinity and III. Martin, another alleged accom-
plice, were brought before Commissioner Da-
Yenport, and committed in default of SIC, 600
bail each for examination. About twelve per-
sons in all have thus far been arrested but il is
thought that it would defeat further arrests to
publish any more names at present.
Karples' case having come on for examination
before Commissioner Davenport, Smith swore
he saw Karples sign the name Jacob Schreiber'
to the claim in question, and that it was under
stood between witness and Karples that this
claim, like numbers of others tnat witness and
Karples had prepared, was fraudulent. The
further examination was then adjourned for the
production of another witness, who, it is stated,
will testify that Karples signed his name to the
claim spoken of.-N. Y. Post last eUening.