The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-06

Areet OF several Vo0oers
ST. LOUIS, March A, 1872
An alleged case of fraud and theft in connection
with the Issue Of county bonds has been IN the
hands OF the police since Saturday. but
not much was known until late tonight.
1t appears that in 1867 Cass county,
Missouri voted to issue 100000 ten per cent bonds
in aid Of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Only $4,000
OF these bonds delivered, being claimed that
the railroad company failed TO fulfil It's agreement
in the construction OF the road, and the remaining
$95, 900 were
LOCKED UP IN THE COUNTY TREAsURERS SAFE
at Pleasant Hill. During the war q raid was made
upon Pleasant Hill by the federal troops when these
bonds were found and sent to General Scnfeld,
then commanding this department., who, supposing
them TO belong to the. railroad company, turned
After the war Cass county refused TO acknowledge
the legality or the bonds and virtually repudated
Them The railroad road renamed
s.; II ~ has recently been , determined d!
oracng some members Of the Cass sc County Court
proposed the county should issue 1920 900 In bonds
bearing eight per cent interest," payable IN from hf
the railroad company, and the original bonds he
taken up. 1t Is reported
by the ctzens Of the county but il is alleged the
bonds were prepared and, during last week. APP
og r s oa
syth, OF the county Court; James H. Cline, lawyer,
Of narrisonviIle, and two or three other
Gns snsr T Pom o.s, ;S
any and all parties Offering the bonds for SALE
stating that they mad oeen traudulently issued and
stolen Inquiries BY the police this morning re.
had been visited on Saturday. The few bonds
Te pares them Were to ca
suit regarding their transfer or sale. About noon
detectives entered the banking house OF Bar.
thOlomew Lewis II Co., and arrested two men, who
exhibited u document which. It Is alleged, be-
longed TO the county records and is said to have
been distracted therefrOm.
EXPRESS RECEIPTS WERE FOUND
on the 0e r n bonds w3s had
Nassau street, New York. All these bonds were
United states Company In this CITY, One hundred
and seventysx bonds are now In the possession OF
carried fty three Of the Bonds to Kansas city, Mo-
Another party name unknown, went to Sedalia,
The parties who have been arrested here are now
in jail.
Sheriff Bryant's Arrival ut St. Louis-Ex-
PLANTATION Of the Bond Ring-One Of tho
Prisoners Arrested Shoots Himself Through
the Heart.
ST. LOUIS, March s, 1872
Sheriff Bryant, OF Cass county, arrived here this
morning, and has been coseted with the police au.
tnorites most Of the day. HIS statement and that
OF A. 9. Hutchinson, who Is also here in con-
nection with the alleged frauds In that county,
Is In substance as fOllows:-The Missouri
Pacific Railroad Company, after holding the
original bonds for 100000 for several
years from the time they were turned over to them
BY the military authorities, and finding the people
of Cass county averse to paying them waived their
claim and delivered them to the agent OF Cass
county, taking his receipt therefor. Subsequently
the County Court made an order to destroy the
bonds, which now stands on the county records;
but 1t appears they were not destroyed and few
months ago, 1t Is alleged ring was formed in and
out Of
THE COUNTY COURT TO LEGALIzE THESE BONDS,
IN some way and sell them. TINS became KNOWN
regarded the whole thing as a bareaced fraud
New bonds were printed, however, to the amount
or the original issue, with accrued interest at ten
per cent; and last FRIDAY, after the Adjournment Of
the regular session OF the Court, and one OF the
Judges who was not III tue ring had left Tor nome,
the remaining Judges stevenson and FOrsytn) re-
convened the Court ana approved the issue OF the
Robert Is. Higgins and Ladue and Nichols
who were arrested here, yesterday took the bonds
ana Immediately met lett town: Previous 70 recon-
sioly on business by two Of the ring, but really 10
get him out OF The way, and it was during his alb
record signed by young deputy CLERK who was
persuaded to do so on repeated assurances that the
acti0n OF The Court was legal ana proper.
1t Is stated that these bonds are in favor OF some
land and trust company, whose exact name, how.
ever Is not known 1t Is also stated that they are
IN aid OF the st. Louis and Santa Fe Railroad.
Judge Stevenson Is known to have come 10 Seda-
liza, whence, 1t IS believed, he West the Mis-
souri, Texas and Kansas Railroad. Cline was at
Wyandotte last night, but eluded the otrcers and
has probably gone West. J. ID. Hne another OF the
ring and Cme's law partner, has also fed and II Is
supposed has gone to California. l
TRAGIC END or ONE OF THE RING.
II. b. Higgins was arrested last night an6 this
forenoon shot hlmself through the heart with q
Derrnger pistol and died Instantly. Judge FORSYTH
diu not flee, As stated In last nights despatch and
according TO kilograms received has pledged him.
sell to remain at nome, convene the Court and.
with Judge Copeland, rescind the act by winch the
bonds were approved.
All these parties are men OF standing and have
families. Iline and Cline were prominent lawyers
In Harrisonvile, and higgins was merchant and
has heretofore borne good reputation.