The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-10-26
THE TRIAL OF THE COUNTER
FEITERS.

We clip the following from the Steu-
benville News in relation to the trial of
the counterfeiters in Cleveland last week.
As Scarborough is from Wheeling, and
two of the gang arrested here, and their
operations confined to this latitude, it
will be of interest to our readers. Major
Carman, who was connected with the
band, is now in Jail in this city, awaiting
his trial on charge of abducting young
Miss Speidel, whom the same gang OF
rascals expected to use as decoy in their
nefarious business of matchmaking and
counterfeiting.
The trial of John Mcdonald and his
confederates, who were arrested here last
summer, upon charge of being engaged
in dealing in counterfeit money, has been
in progress in Cleveland for the past two
days. We have been able to learn the
following particulars concerning the trial,
together with the substance of the evil
dcnce of one or two of the leading wit
nesses: Mcdonald, Brown, Boyd, Scar
borough and VIM. e. Carman were in
dicted in four separate indictments for
passing counterfeit money and for having
the same in their possession.
Martin and Meloy were both indicted
for the same oftense.
Mcdonald, Brown and Boyd were put
upon trial jointly for selling counterfeit
money in June last to one 5. j. Bradford,
of Bellaire. Carman was indicted with
them for this offensc, but was not on trl-
al, not having been arrested. Mr. Brad
ford was sworn, and testified in substance,
that Carlnan sent him telegram to
Bellaire, asking him to come to Stcu-
benville, and stated in the telegram that
a man named Springer was here who
owed Bradford bill of boarding which
he could get if he came here
Bradford came up in response to the tele-
gram, and met Carman ut the Union
Hotel, who reported to him that Springer
had gone to Pittsburgh, and then intro
duccd to him the subject of counterfeit
money, and suggested the propriety Of
making deal with friend of Carman'S
to whom he would introduce him, Car
man ut the same time showing him II
sample of the money. Witness was then
taken up stairs in the hotel, and intro
duced to Mcdonald, who showed him
money, which he represented to be coun-
terfcit. Witness finally agreed to tax"
one hundred dollars of this money and
hold the same as security for the bill
which Springer owed him for boarding,
the same to be redeemed within ten days.
| After witness got possession of the coun-
terfrit money, Boyd and Brown entered
the room, represented that they were
United States officers and arrested wit
ness and Mcdonald for dealing in and
passing counterfeit money. Witness
and Mcdonald were then searched by the
pretended officers, the counterfeit money
and some good money taken from them.
The officers then introduced to them the
subject of going to Cleveland, and to the
penitentiary. The pretended officers
then conducted them from the hotel to
Mingo, at which point Mcdonald sug-
gestcd to witness the propricty of trying
to compromise the matter. y compro-
mise was effected by paying to the pre-
tended officers two hundred and fifty
dollars. which secured their release.
! Witness then separated from Mcdonald
and the pretended officers, and went to
his home in Bellaire, Witness believed
that the money which was given to him
mt the hotel as a pledge for the bill of
boarding, was counterfeit.
The government then called John
Gallagher. David Porter, VIM. +. Brown,
- Curran. and ~c|rriI other persons,
who testified to other transactions at
other times and places of character
similar to that detailed by Bradford,
with the exception that in their cases the
counterfeit money WAS bought and paid
for by them, instead of being pledged, rs
in the Bradford case. No sooner would
the victim get the counterfeit money in
his possession than one Of the defendants
would appear rs L. ). officer and arrest
him, handcutf him in many instances,
tnlk about Cleveland and the pententi-
arv. and ultimately get of by compro-
missing.
The Government also put upon the
stand f.. J. Maloy. who testified against
the defendants upon promise of pardon.
Nalcv detailed several expeditions to
Wheeling, Bellaire, Steubcnyilc, Dres-
den. and other places where he and the
defendants practiccd the trick. upon the
various pilgrims who came up from time
10 time, and from place to place, to pro-
cure from these defendants counterfeit
money. Maloy WAS afterwards impeach-
ed by dozen or more citizens of Steu,
benyille. who testified that they beieted
his reputation for truth was bad, and
that he could not be believed under oath
This was in substance the testimony
given at the trial. A verdict in the case
has not yet been given. :.
P.S.-We have learned from dis
patch received this afternoon, that the
persons who were on trial were found
guilty.