The New York herald., 1874-08-11
ARREST OF THE REV. JOHN
COWAN.

Alleged Ingenious Attempt to aud
tho United States Treasury-Examina-
tion Before United States Commits
sioner.
peculiar case Of attempt to swindle the United
States Treasury was developed yesterday before
United States Commissioner Shields. One OF the
defendants claims to be q minister OF the Gospel
and the iacts are somewhat interesting. Rev.
John Cowan, who Is charged with this attempt TO
deraud the government out Of 81, ,00O states that
he was formerly chaplain IN the Sixth New York
heavy artillery and resides at No. $40 Canal street,
In this city. He made an AFFIDAVIT at the sugges-
ton OF oricals OF the Treasury ONCE in this city
which explains the prelimInaries of this ewhat
Ingenious alleged attempt at swindling. The fol-
lowing Is the an1davit-
NO. $40 CANAL STREET, NEW YORK.,
State OF New York, county or Ne,c PORK, ss.:-
The Rev. John COwan, being duly sworn, says
10 the act OF getting into one OF the street cars ne
lost his hod, consequently mad severe lal, and
WIN the a ns MS % purse WAS kn9cksS out Of his
car ran over It and az reduced i 70 pulp and sDs
to the wheel, so the enclosed Is all tnat he could
the oficiaIs there directed him to enclose the
duly sworn to, and as the number perfect 1t
would be redeemed for him, Tor whicn Mr. Cowsn
Scs ss 10 duy anx as woud re-
Late Chaplain sixth regiment New York Heavy
Sworn to ana subscribed this 25th OF July, A. D.,
isonaS Ss Se,Sre ~ me- den notary puoIie Suy com
regiment New YORK heavy artillery.
VIM. E. WHITE Notary Puplic New York city.
This afidayit, together with the fragment of
bond, Was forwarded to the Treasury Department
in Washington, and subsequently letter was re-
ceived from the same quarter by Cowan, asking for
further information, to which he sent the follow
No. $40 CANAL STREET, NEW YORK,
DEAR SIR-I received yours Of the 29th uit, in
forming me that you had received mine OF the 25th
ult-, In relation TO the destruction OF $1.0j0 bond
No. alas, part (which was enclosed You ask
the bond in question is United states security.
Yes, United States bond. fve-twenty coupon Of
1867, interest payable January and july >
Ny reason Tor not presenting the pond in ques-
sSs sy ON s s @ sS
soon after received the oond went to Europe to
try. and set well, but got worse and was COM
PEELED to remain In London up to June, 1874, and
when returned to the states again. | think fne
YoIrs respectaiy. va" John ec cuWAN VAN 'ou'
Late Chaplain Sixth regiment N. Y. Artillery.
The fragment OF bond in question Is about four
inches in length by about lour in breadth. This
fragment was submitted Tor examination to tho
Superintendent of the Engraving Department at
made q careful examination OF the attached rag
ment OF what purports to be the remains of a
900 bond, No. 5145. and which, according to the
sworn statement Of the Rev. John Cowan, has
been presented to the Assistant Treasury ONCE at
New York, to De redeemed as government issue.
hnd tnat the work Was engraved and printed by
and likely, for one OF the South American states.
ls under the denomination counter Will be OBJ
Served the top OF the lettering, engraved IN SCRIPT
the Spanish Words. "F7estdente de H."
On this report Mr.. j. H. Robinson, Acting So
Ilctor OF the treasury sent back all the papers TO
United States District Attorney Bliss, with in
structt0ns to prosecute the parties concerned.
Assistant District Attorney Purdy took charge
or the case, and under mis- directions all subse-
quent movements TOR the capture OF Cowan were
city the writing OF letter to the reverend gen.
teman asking MIN to call yesterday morning with
any additional evidence lie might have as to his
claim. This ingenious device had its effect.
ness named Kahts and presented an afidavit
made by that gentleman. as follows:-
John Kahoe, being duly sworn, says that In 1867
he well remembers negotiation on behalf OF the
Rev. John COwan with one Hans Bahr Ia Germany
and receiving as part payment OF debt then due
United States security OF $1,000, coupon bond !;
and that on Mr.. COwan's return from Europe in
1874 he had frequently seen the same coupon bond
OF said No. 5,145 in the said Rev. John Cowan's
possession.
Botn parties-Rev John Cowan and hts witness,
John KahOe-were thereupon, to their great sur
prise, arrested and Immediately brought before
United States commissioner Shields, who held
them each III $4,000 bail to answer. COwan Is q
man aged about fifty years, was dressed IN black
aod bears an air OF respectability. Whether or
not he Ofcates ut present In his capacity as Chris
tian teacher did not transpire.