The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-31
AN INDICTMENT CANARD.
The United States Grand Jury and Alleged In
dictment Of Ex-United States District Attor-
ney Courtney and Ex-Marshal Muir
ray-Interesting Proceedings in
Court and Explanation.

A rumor got abroad yesterday morning 70 the
effect that ex- United states District Attorney
Samuel G. Courtney and ex- United States Marshal
Murray had been or would be indicted by the
United States Circuit Court Grand Jury for the
Southern District for alleged Official corruption.
This announcement. which now turns out to be q
wanton canard. had the effect OF bringing to the
court room yesterday crowd OF persons anxious to
find out all apout the affair." ana what truth, II any,
there was In the rumor. Mr.. Courtney, with O
number OF his friends was on hand early, and Mr..
murray also putin an appearance. 1t was known tnat
the Grand Jury would come into the circuit Court
room, and there present whatever indictments they
had found. With this expectation tue reporters
were all on hand, and other parties OF various call
ings had assembled In the room; but after little
waiting 1t was ascertained that the Grand Jury had
gone into the District Court room, for which a
stampede was made. On arriving there the Grand
Jury were handing In, IN the presence OF Judge
Batchford, large batch OF indictments, about ff-
teen In number. None OF the names OF the indicted
parties were announced. After the parties are
arrested ball IS to be taken In the ONCE OF Mr.. Ken
meth G. White. Clerk OF the Circuit Court
NIB. COURTNEY DEMANDS TO KNOW II HE Is IN
DICrED.
Mr.. Courtney, one OF the parties supposed 10 have
been indicted, addressed Judge Bachiord, and
sad:-"I see Dy one OF this mornings papers that
somebody has teen cndeavorng to have me In
dicted for some Onencc-I know not what-and
that an indictment mas been would be found
against me. desire to know fromthe District At.
tOrney, IN the presence or the Court, whether any
indictment has been found against me.
Judge Blatcnlord-Fnat Is "a matter that have
nothing to do with. The District Attorney must
transact his own business In his own way. You can
OBTAIN Information from him.
referred to- and as have been Tor several ears an
0fcer OF this Court, know Of no place more proper
to opten the information have asked, and, as the
District Attorney ~ mere present. repeat the ques
ton asked a few moments ago, and
DEMAND AN ANSWER
III any charges are made against me am ready and
prepared 10 meet them, whether they are the result
Ol nance or perJnry.
The District Attorney-Tne Grand Jury nave
found or presented no Indictment against Mr..
Courtney.
Mr.. Robert Murray was subsequently informed.
both through his counsel ana personally that no
dictment had been found against him.
On THIS explanation beng given the parties In
terested ell Tie O0ur anu the regular business was
AN EXPLANATION OF THE INDICTMENT oANARD.
As lar as can be ascertained 1t appears that there
was an attempt to nave the Grand Jury indlct Mr..
Courtney, ex. Dis rict Attorney, well MIR. MUIR
ray. the ex.Marsnal. The alleged charge against
Mr.. Courtney was that he had received q bride OF
some six thousand and Odd dollars from somebody
connected with the Kentucky Bourbon Company,
Tor the purpose OF having premises under SEIZURE
released. The District Attorneys once knew moth
ing Of the parties who presented TINS charge before
tne Grand Jury Inc records in the office, with the
Mr.. Courtney, snow tnis
STATE OF FACTS:
Tho Kentucky Bourbon Company being under
seizure an application was made by Mr.. Frank, q
claimant Of the property, 10 nave 1t released q
payment OF the sum OF $4,000 and the payment Of
tent Of the bonded warehouse Tor which the gov
erhment was liable. This proposition was accepted
by the secretary Or the Treasury and instructions
were sent to Mr. Courtney by the Secretary releas-
ing and dscnarging the property on the receipt of
the bonded Warehouse. The calmant FOR day or
two neglected 10 paw the money, and In the mean.
time, the government learned That the
KENTUCKY BOURBON COMPANY
mad bond outstanding at Louisville 10 the amount
oil SIX thousand dollars and upwards and in.
struced Mr. Courtney to secure, II possible, a
settlement OF the amount OF the bond, or, II tnat
could not be done, 10 cause suit to be commenced
on the bond. When the claimant appeared to pay
the 500 ana The amount OF the rent Mr.. Court
ney informed him OF the instructions ne had re-
ceived as to tne amount OF the bond and de.
clned To receive the property at all unless
the amount OF the Dond was paid or secured. After
the claimant had objected to this course and Nj.
the amount OF tie bond, which was. according to
INSTRUCTIONS received from the Revenue Depart
ment, deposited with the Sub Treasurer al the city
OF New lOrK, 10 the credit OF the collector OF the
Mr. Courtney secured 10 the government
the amount OF toe bond, which would not
perhaps nave been collected II suit had been prose-
Cuteu. rms Is tne $4,000 which 1t has been stated
to the Grand Jury ne received as q bride. This i5
oil there Is OF the case, and 1t evideni that the
charges presented to the Grand Jury were malicious
and utterly without any foundation Whatever. Dis.
tr,ct Attorney DAVIS the moment he heard Of the
matter 10uDd the record showing the statement as
above detailed, and pronounced the accusation
and never recognized or acted on by HIM or ny any
OF his BubOrdinAJeS.