, 1872-11-04
>W00DHULL & ClAFLlN.:
Arrest Of These Notorious
Persons in New York,
Saturday.
They Are Charged with Sending Obscene
Publications Through the Mails.
The Twain Committed to Jail.


Special Despatch to Tie Chicago Tribune.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2.-About noon to-day,
United States Marshals Bernard and Colfa1
went quietly down to the Office Of Woodruff Il
Clafin, on Broad street, and, inquiring for the
heads Of this firm Of female brokers, we're told
that they were out. The brace of officers said
they would wait, and seated themselves in the
Office for that purpose. In a few minutes both
Victoria G. Woodruff and Tennia G. Clahin en-
tered, and at the same instant Marshal Colfax
informed them it was his duty to take them in
custody, On an affidavit charging an offence
against the new United States law relating to the
posting and sending through the Post Office
obscene publications. Mrs. Woodruff expressed
herself at once ready to accompany the officers,
bat Miss 'Clahin said that she had some business
Of very urgent nature to attend to, which
would only, however, occupy her the space
Of few moments. She was permitted to retire
into an ahte-roorn, where she remained for q
moment only when abe again reappeared, and, =
carriage being in readiness, the party entered,
and were driven directly to the office Of Com
missioner Osborn, in tile United States Building.
Of the wind, and it was but
q few moments after, when the bankers, brokers
clerks, etc., enraged in the vicinity left the busy
scenes Of the stock market and their own Offices
to flock to the sanctum Of Mrs. Woodruff, where
they congregated about the door in great force
the Marshals with their prisoners, had arrived at
the Government Building in Chambers street,
and Commissioner Osborn held proceedings in
the apartment Of the United States Circuit
Court. When the wcl1-known forms Of Mes
danes Woodruff and Claflin emerged from the
coach, the widest excitement at once sprung up,
and an eager throDg followed upstairs. IN the
carriages there were about 500 copies Of Wood
hui & ClaJEin's Weekly which had been seized.
Mrs. Woodruff looked grave and severe, never
terest to the proceedings. Miss Tennessee
Clafin wore IN Indifferent air, and her eyes
sparkled with excitement. They we're both
dressed alike, as is their custom, in deep black
with purple bows, and the latest style Of bats.
They presented the sumo bold front that has
been their distinguishing characteristic. The
accused were represented by Mr. ]. D. Reymert.
The District Attorney, Noah Davis, ap-
peared for the Government. Immediately
on taking bis seat on the bench, Com
asked If that gentleman was ready to
proceed. 11r. Reymert begged His Honor to
give him few moments to consult with the
prisoners Commissioner Osborne assented.
Claflin WAS obeer7ed to smile aud laugh several
times, while Mrs. Woodruff preserved through
out grave demeanor. Both defendants sat in
the centre Of the Courtroom, next the railing.
Mr.. Reymert said: ~ your Honor please, !
wish postponement Of this case until some day
next week. The defendants have been COM
pletoly taken by surprise; the arrest WAS sud-
den, and they are not, consequently, prepared
with their line Of Defence"
Commissioner Osborne. Then what do you
propose to do Z
Mr.. r, I p1opoae to have the case adjourned
to Monday or Tuesday Of next week, and in the
meantime have the prisoners admitted to bail,
Commissioner Osborne. What do you propose
to do, District Attorney
District Attorney Davis This is very seri-
ous charge. l am not anxious in any way to
incommode the defence. think $1,000 would
be reasonably small amount Of bail to accept
for their temperance next week.
Mr. Reymort. Your Honor, the defendants
are not accused Of libel; they are not accused Of
simply charged, according to the wording Of the
affidavit, which hold in my hand, with sending
obscene literature through the Post Office. /
think 91o, 900 bail is too large an amount.
District Attorney Davis here repeated his ap-
plication for 80, 900 bail and no less. He re-
iterated his comment on the gravity Of the
charge, the magnitude Of the reputation at stake,
and the reputation Of the distinguished gentle:
man assai1ed.
Mr. r. said there was no fear the accused
would run away from the city to avoid the ends
OF Justice. They had newspaper OF extensive
circulation in this city :; they had some real es-
tate here; they had friends here; in fact all
they had was located in New York City. Con-
he thought they would have no rea-
son to run away to defeat Justice. They had no
Inducements Of any kind outside OF New York City
aud State, to attract them thither. They we're
not common felons.. The charge Of sending OBJ
scene literature through the Post Office, IS in
dicated in the case, was, in his (counsels) opin-
ion, nothing more and nothing less than an IN
discretion. 4
District Attorney Davis. If the defendants are
80 well-to-do ae the counsel indicates; they
have respectable and wealthy friends, real ea-
tate, ETC., don't zee what objection they can
have to giving $4,000 bail.
After some further discussion. Comnissionsr
Osborne said he would take So, 600 bail, and
would adjourn further hearing OF the case un-
til II O'Clock On Monday morning.
There are also warrants sued out by Mr. Chal-
lis, charging Libel. Mr. William F. Home ap-
cases.. At 2 p. m. the two women were taken to
Ludlow Street Prison in handsome carriage,
with liyeried driver, breathing forth indigna-
tion after being informed that even it they OBJ
tained bail they would be Immediately 1earrested
on similar charges.
This afternoon the police, upon warrant is
sued By the Mayor, seized the establishment Of
Woodruff & Cladin, together with the books,
furniture, and SO much Of the edition containing
the Gbe1lous matter rs has not yet been placed
sell any copy Of the paper containing the scan-
dal, On the printing Of which the arrest is
based, but at certain news stands copies we're
obtainable this evening at 81 each.
ITo the associated PTess.l
Sa T oesed xoa s1 oa gn gea aesane ct sk Rss
the arrest Of Woodruff & Clahin. Proceedings |
were first taken against them by A1r. L. G.
Chalfis, a wen-known broker, who last night ap- |
piled for warrants for their arrest for q gross,
we're accordingly issued, but before they
could De nxecuted some 1ne acting on behalf of |