The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-12-29
NEW YORK.
The Pacific Mail Investigations.

The Paclhc malt 1nvesuSalOH.
New YORK, Dec. 2S.-The subcommittee Of
the Ways and Means began their session this
morning in the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
Mr.. Cole, president of the American Elk
change Bank, was the first witness examined,
in reference to the deposites made by Mr. r.
win in the bank. He testified that on the 18th
of Nav last two strangers entered the Ameri-
can Exchange Bank, and one of them present
Cd check for $4,000, signed by Col Irwin.
He asked the presenter of the check what his
name was, but this he refused to disclose. The
amount was paid and the parties left, followed
by messenger, who saw them enter the Park
Bank. On sending to the Park Bank, Mr..
Cole found that the man who drew the check
from the American Exchange Bank gave his
name as King, and stated that he was post
master of the House OF Representatives at
Washington. Another sum of $4,000 was
drawn from the Marine Bank on check for
the amount on the same day. of the $500
paid on that day $4,000 was paid by certified
checks and the remainder IN notes over the
counter This occurred in May, 1872. The
sums MIR. Irwin deposited up to that date were
only small sums, ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.
On the 9th OF May three sums, viz, 100000,
800, 600 and $125,0O0, were drawn by differ
ent persons on certified checks made payable
to bearer and signed by Mr.. Irwin. The large
deposit of $750,000 was made on the 18th OF
May.
The two men who came for money on the
Goth of May appeared to know each other very
we'll. Witness thoughth he could easily recog-
nze King. but could not identify the other per
son. At the time of this large deposit by IT.
win, witness ascertained that the sum. was de-
posted in checks of the Pacific Mail Company.
About one year after Mr.. King had drawn the
first sum of money from the American Elk
change Bank, he called again to draw another
check which was not SO large in amount; did
not remember the sum named in the check,
and did not know whether Mr.. King had
been at the bank lately. The witness sub
mtted the account of Irwin with the Amer
lean Exchange Bank aud left it with the COM
mttee.
Beaumont Glare. assistant cashier OF the same
bank, testified that he had a distinct recoec-
ton of large sum being deposited by Irwin.
The deposte remained in the bank two days,
when the three first checks were presented.
The day after, the two strangers called and
presented the two checks for the larger sum
and were questioned as to the establishment OF
their identity. They went in to see Mr.. Cole
who said it was necessary that they should be
identified, as they had paid money before on
forged checks, and did not wish to be caught
again. The man who was followed to the
Park Bank left then and came to the Equita-
BILE building, at the corner of Cedar and Broad
way, where he entered the elevator and was
lost sight of. The witness went down to the
cashier of the Park Bank, and ascertained that
the man who drew the money was VIM. S.
King, postmaster of the House of Representa-
tives. The cashier of the Park Bank was j.
~, worth. WlLD6SS SAW Btutcndu VIII
drew the $4,000 check about year after
wards. He was recognized by the witness,
who said he remembered him addressed as MIR,
King The witness described Mr.. King as
medium sized man, wearing bushy side whls-
kers. He thought Irwin was in the city at the
time. He did not know if Irwin drew any
checks. No effort was made to ascertain by
the authorities of the bank If Irwin was in the
city. The book keepers ir the bank were
changed every six months or so.
The committee then adjourned till 2o'clock
to have the check books and ledgers of tho
Pacific Mail Company, from January, 1877,
produced.
When the committee met after adjournment
the books of the Pacific Mail Company were
produced.
Samuel j. Harritt, banker and broker, and a
member of the banking firm of Harritt &
Moves, testified that he had been five years in
the business. Knew Stockweli, but not Irwin:
During the year 1872 he had bought and sold
stock Of the Pacific Mail Company and Para
ma Rairo ad for him. A check numbered 1865,
was handed MIN to recognize which he failed
to do. The check was dated May "a, 1872. On
that date witness received no stock from the
Pacific Mail Company.
After referring to his books witness stated
that on the Dist of May, 1872, there was an en-
try of 1928, 1868 for 400 shares of Pacific
Mail to the credit of A. b. Stockwell. No 9TH
er sum, from either Irwin or Stockweli, was re-
ceived from the Dist of May to the 4th of June
inclusive
On the 18th of May the firm delivered 5000
shares of Pacific Mail stock, for which they re-
ceived S433, so in checks from the company.
These were all the transactions which occurred
with the firm in the month of May. Witness
did not know Irwin at ALL Never sold stock
for the Pacific Mail individually, but only for
Stockwell. On the Sth of September, the same
year, Stockwell deposited check on the Ma
tional Bank of Commonwealth for $780, 900.
This check was dated September 9TH. The
cbacL epdorSnd on its face A. b. StOCkwell
and Harritt & NOyes.
On examining his books witness stated that
the entry on September 9th was Pacific Mail
Steamship Company exchanged 100000. MIR.
Stockwell bad for this check from the firm on
the Continental Bsnk $50, 1895. The &C
count closed for that year on the I'd of Novem-
ber 1872.
Witness was told by Mr.. Hatch that on the
4th day of May, 1872, check for S65O, 900 had
been deposited with the firm by II. b. Irwin,
but this witness said it was not deposited and
was not entered on the books On the 18th of
May clerk of the company credited to MIR.
Stockwell for stock valued at $4S3, 612.50 was
deposited. On the 21st of May check for
S258, SO and another for s., 515 were depos-
tied, both for 400 shares of Pacific Mail
stock. On the same date checks were received
from Mr. Markham to the amount of $685., $50
for stock.
tional Bank. testified that he had held that po-
siton since 1861. Being asked with re! erence
to two strangers who were followed to his bank
by Mr.. Clark, witness desired to refresh his
memory from the bank and was allowed to ap-
near at a future time for examination.
j. L. Worth, Cashier of the Park National
Bank since 1868. testified that he knew MI
King but was not very intimate with him. ID al
learned from the note teller that King had
taken out notes Of deposit amounting to $1l5,-
600 or whereabouts in May, 1872.
Thomas Ellis, note teller of the Park Ma
tional Bank, testified that on May 30th he re-
ceived from Mr. King $112,50O to be used as
follows: $4,000 to be placed in the st. Paul
Bank Minneapolis, Mimi; $4,000 to pay note
the credit of the st. Paul Bank of Minnesota,
and had also ISSUED six certificates of depos-
| it at his instance, amounting in the aggregate
| to $50, 475.17 issued TO the order of VIM. 5.
| King.
The investigation here adjourned till to-mor-
| row morning.
Death of Gerrit Smith.
Hon. Gerritt Smith, widely known as phil
| and n Loader N tho anti slavery and