The New York herald., 1873-12-30
NEW BRUNsWICK's BIG BANK TRIAL.
Arraignment OF nm Alleged 100000
COnspirator-The state Weakens ON


COnspirator-Thc state Weakens on
Witnesses and Moves a Postponement.
The Middesex County Court, at New Brunswick,
N. j., was well filed with people yesterday in an
ticipation of witnessing the trial OF one OF the
most important cases ever called in the same
Court, that OF Robert N. Woodworth, who, in con-
junction with Greenleaf W. Appleton, late cashier
of the ola State Bank, stands indicted Tor having
as alleged, conspired to defraud that institution
out Of 100000. The whole history OF the case, to-
gether with Its erect in bringing to the verge OF
ruin the ancient bank and with it hundreds
of depositors, is already familiar to the readers
the HERALD; but brief summary will
not be out Of place. woodwork president OF an
extensive carpet manufacturing company in New
Brunswick, the stockholders and officers of which
were also intimately and materially associated
with the bank. Between Appleton and Woodwork
quite an intimacy existed. Large sums OF money
were advanced by Appleton to Woodwork on ac.
count Of the carpet company on security since
proven to be worthless. 1t is said that Appleton
made these advances by and with the advice and
consent OF some Of the bank directors. The upshot
was the suspension in September last OF the bank.
Through the public spirit OF well-to-do citizens 1t
was placed on sounder basis than ever. Mean
while Appleton and Woodwork took flight.
The Grand Jury found against them vOluminous
indictments These consist of five counts. The
first OF these sets fortn that the State Bank was
chartered in 1851, with full power and authority to
transact the general banking business. 1t is also
declared that G. w. Appleton cashier OF the bank,
and Robert n. Woodworth. being evil disposed and
dishonest, did w1ckedly contriye to defraud the
said institution OF its money TO the amount OF
$500,00O. 1t further states that G. w. Appleton
resent to the directors OF the institution that the
moneys alleged TO have been embeZZled were
he also did make false statements and vouchers
respecting the same and exhibited them
to the directors. The second shows how
the bank was defrauded OF over $36o00 by
worthless checks signed by Woodwork the third
alleges that the two defendants did conspire on,
before after March 26 1873, deiraud the state
Bank OF $500, 900, and to conceal such fraud did
make false entries in the bank books; the fourth
is based upon the alleged conspiracy Of Appleton,
Woodworth, and others unknown to the Grand Jury,
to deraud the State Bank OF $40 Is on, before
or after the 26th OF December, 1872, by the same
specifies fully the facts referred TO in the fourth
count; count Appleton is & said to be IN Europe:
anS smce as beep n cstody New the
Mddlesex Sherif. In court yesterday he appeared
tastily attircd and wearing q look OF confidence.
The crowd In attendance were doomed to disap-
pointment The defence prolessed TO be eager Tor
trial. but the STATE moved postponement, owing
to partially concluded civil trial then pending,
and further owing to the present impossibility OF
procuring the attendance OF material witnesses re-
siding In New York and other places without the
jurisdiction OF the Court. Leon Abbott, Wood
worth's counsel, urged an immediate trial
He could see no reason for postponing, as
the crime was said to have peen committed. After
further discussion between counsel Judge Scudder
ruled the postponement, requiring. however. that
the prosecutor shall give two days. notice to de-
fendant's counsel OF the day upon which he would
be ready to proceed with the trial. If In this term
and IN the event OF the trial not being moved this
term the Court would admit the defendant to bail,
and in fixing the amount the action OF the State IN
refusing to answer certain questions counsel for
the defence regarding the alien witnesses would
be considered with view OF making the bail rea-
sonabe.
Woodwork was then remanded to the custody OF
the Sheriff and the audience turned out