The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-22
THE JERSEY CITY FRAUDS.
Trial Of Bumsted, Welsh and vreeland-A Big
Haul from the City-Large Sums Traced to
Bumsted-yhe City Treasurer "Don't
Know Anything About Era
suYes in His Accounts.

The second OF the series of indictments against
Jersey City officials for malfeasance in ofllce was
brought up for trial in the Court or Oyer and Ter
miner In that city yesterday, Judge Bedle presiding.
il was the case OF The State VS.. William II.
Bumsted, Benjamin +. Welsh and Garrett vreeland,
in which the defendants were charged with con-
spring TO defrand the city.
The Attorney General, District Attorney Garrett
son ana Mr.. vredenburg appeared for the state,
md Messrs Winfield and Dixon for the defence.
The following jurors were mpanelled:-Theophilu
Butts. &. II. Tangeman, John Boyd, william c.
Eackus Fred. A. Boehme, Charles Pinnell, John
School, Bryan Smith, William Sinclair, Lewis Buck,
j. A. seitz and John Jordan.
Mr. Vredenburg opened the case. 1t would be
proved that Mr.. Bumsted advanced to Mr. vreeIand
the sum of $4,000 to buy property for the new
reservoir, and that Mr.. Vreeland obtained the
property by threatening the owners that II they
did net sell at the price named by him their property
would be condemned by commissioners at much
tower price. He succeeded in purchasing from the
several owners taking the deeds in his own name the
total amount being Ss9,6io This property he sold
TO the city, few days after the last purchase was
op 1f s re- M reT
the transaction The gist OF the case was that the
Board Of Public Works, by an unanimous
vote, ordered the purchase OF The property
in April. Mr.. yreeland set to work IN the
matter, although holding no official position, and
as soon as he had the purchases completed the
Board unanimously ordered the payment OF the in
creased price aforesaid. Counsel then traced large
sums OF money TO Bumsted through the latters
advanced was returned to him, with large in
crease, two or three days afterward. On the 21th
OF June, 1871, the Of $S3, 900 drawn from the
city treasury TO pay for the property. and on the
same day Bumsted deposited IN the bank s34,ei4.
The same day Mr.. Vreeland deposited two checks
one for $4,000 and one for $4,000. Two days later
y bank transaction amounting to $4,000 occurred
be Se'w ssown the same parties; ana would
Bnmsted's account, and amounting to
345,ooo, were the same that yreeland deposited.
On July ., after Nreeand had received $I6500
from the city, Bumsed got q check for s3o, 00o and
on the same day this check was charged 10 Nrce-
posted another check for $4,000 and on the sth
Nreelands account was CHARGED with $4,000.
Several other similar transactions occurred 1t
would be proved that Welsh received ana paid
away three checks about the time the notes were
tssued by Bumsted.
The first witness called was Mr.. Newkirk clerk
TO the Board OF Public Works, who produced his
books ana read the several resolutions regarding
The purchase OF the property for the new reservoir
The resolution authorizing the purchase was passed
on the 2,tl OF june ana was approved by the Mayor
two days afterwards
Josiah Hornbower, City Treasurer, when on the
stand was In a most unpleasant predicament. one
leaf Of his receipt book had been torn out another
lad erasures IL, while another contained
receipt for $1,000, payable 10 the order OF W. H.
Bumsted, which had no signature. The simple
reply OF Mr.. HornbloWer 10 the demand for an eX-
PLANTATION Of these Irregularities was IL don't
know In another place the book showed a diBcr.
cnee OF ESQ between the money ordered to be paid
for q plot Of land and the amount actually paid by
The Treasurer. He again replied, II don't know
When asked where the balance was he said IL re-
manned with him.
Abraham Collerd who sold plot of three and a
he sold for $4,000 he received only SIS, 600. the
Balance went 10 Mr.. Vreeland ana one Platt for
commissions. The transaction was carried on in
The trial VIII be resumed to-day.