The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-10
THE COLUMBIA RING.


How the Wood Pavement Makers Were
Trfcked-S97, 900 Given ON the Princi-
PIE OF .sSending n sprat to Catch n
Whalc'-Thc Man Who Wanted to Pay
the National Debt.
WASHINGTON. April Q, 1874.
In the District OF Columbia Investigation to-day
the first witness examined waN2obert Mcclellan,
Of Chicago the surviving partner OF the late Grm
OF De Goyer Mcclellan, who laid upward OF
81, 900 square yards OF wood pavement in the city
He testified that, en- route TO New York, in Feb
ruary, 1872 while stopping at the Continental
Hotel in Philadelphia he received two dispatches
from one George II. Chittenden. OF Chicago, to
come on to Washington; that large contracts
were to be awarded. At first ne de-
chned to come. but finally did, and was
introduced by Chittenden to A. II. Shepherd
but that at this meeting no mention was made In
regard to the paving contracts; that after remain.
ing in Washington O few days witness went to
Chicago, at which place he subsequently received
notice from Chittenden that he had received an
order to lay the De Golyer Mcclellan patent
wood pavement in Washington to the extent OF
100000 or 200 600 square yards; soon after receiv
ing the notice he met Chittenden in Chicago;
Chlttenden then told him that
HE MUST HAVE NINErY-sEvEH THOUSAND DOLLARS
to pay the expenses he had incurred in Washing
ton city and to help to pay portion Of
the national debt; witness paid HIM $4,000
in money and $4,000 IN notes, the
notes as well as the drafts being made
payable to the order or De Golyer Mcclellan
and endorsed by them; the notes, they fell due,
were presen ted through the Manuiacturers Bank of
Chicago, and the firm were not able to meet them;
the hrm did pay $780, 900 of the notes subsequently
and Arranged Tor the balance by selling, for the
amount OF the notes stlll held interest to Ira b.
Holiness OF Chicago, IN the patent for the process
to treat wood by the Samuels treatment; at the
n nnIH tua
notes, but he did not deliver them up, stating that
ne desired TO retain them; in lieu OF the notes
Holmes gave the firm written article to the effect
that they would never be presented Tor payment;
he said he bought them from a colonel Kirkland.
THE UNCERTAINTIES OF DISHONESTY.
Chttenden the $9., 900 and for what purpose was
to be used. He said he gave 1t because Uhlttenden
Washington; lie asked Chittenden why he wanted
to use such large amount Of money, but all the
answer he could get was that he wanted to de-
fray his expenses III Washington and help to pay
the national debt; under the order given by Chit
tenden to the firm they laid over 81, 900 square
yards OF pavement, when they were ordered to
stop work By the Board OF Public Works; at the
time this order was issued large amount Of lum-
Der was owned b. them In this city, and they
wanted 1t worked up; they got Chittenden to come
on rom Chicago and see II he could IN
oruer stopping the work Chittenden came on, saw
Governor shepherd and returned to Chicago and
that he'd be damned II he would let the work 60 on
because the citizens complained OF the pavement
interest of De Golyer (then deceased} and Cnltten
den was again called on TO ask Mr. Shepherd to
let the work proceed, but he reported that he
could not get Mr.. shepherd to do anything ior the
firm, because the people did not IKE the pave
ment and he (sir. Shepherd) would not let it go
down; an extension was finally made by which
10000 more yards were laid, but not under the name
OF DE Golyer Mcclellan, the name OF the firm hay-
ing been changed when Mr.. jenkins came In.
The witness was asked by Judge Wilson ii he had
been to Mr.. Chittenden at any time with reference
to the outstanding notes. He replied that he had
clpuf no tn lapn ma rfi Qc w n and
have them be as lenent as possible with the firm,
and that he looked out Tor them in the matter the
firm at the time being threatened with an 1nvo
untary proceeding IN bankruptcy.
The following interrogatory was propounded by
asked Mr. Chttenden where he intended to place
those notes? A. have told you / have; al! he
woaa ten me me WAS II was 70 pay MS ana
over my eyes, and have never been able to get
1T of.
SICK TRANSIT" ACCOUNT
Mr.. Joseph ). Cook, who was boOkkeeper, and
conducted the business Tor De G0lyer and McClel-
Ian, this city, was then examined. lie testified
that IN the general course OF the business OF the
firm the $97, GOO transaction was mentioned to
him; he charged 1t the books to an account
called ..transitn did this because he didn't know
wnere the notes were; he also charged the $4,000
transa he nndepsrood nar ooo Tue y,
this amount was paid to man named Brown, but
not s. r Brown, o. the Board OF Public Works;
because he had to account for $4,000,
and he had no other place TO put 1t.
S. Huntindon was on this transit" account.
Mr.. Mcclellan, before being discharged as q
witness, was directed to forward by express to
the Committee all the books OF De Golyer and
Mcclellan, as well as the kilograms ana CORE
spondence received by them from Chittenden.
JOURNALISTIC INFLUENCE.
John Collins testified that his partner, Zephaniah
Jones, handed hun contract Tor paving two
streets one morning, and tnat he was surprised
because he mad never made application ior the
contracts; Jones told him that Mr.. Murtagn, pro-
priebor OF the National Republican, in this city,
MAD given them to him; Mr.. Murtagh claimed
one half OF the project, and asked MIN II he
proposed to furnish any means; he said
he md not: Jones and Collins built the new re-
publican building; Mr. Murtagh based his claim
he had used his influence in securing it; no work
was done under the contract because Collins re-
fused to recognize the claim oil Muriagn.
TESTIMONY OF EX-GOVERNOR COOKE.
Ex-Governor Cooke testified substantially that in
the summer Of 1872 lie was informed by Hallett
cnases i0r customers in real estate and ne wanted
his frn,-Jay Cooke CO-to JON In the purchases
which they dbl, TO the extent OF $4,000;
there was no arrangement as to location
in purchasing; there had been no settlement Of
the NATTER there might have been but Tor the sus.
nected; lie did not know VINO the other persons
were who were In the pool; he had unbOunded
faith In the growth Of Washington ana invested
his money here; his impression was that the pool
was to be between $4,000 and 500. 600; witness'
Individual interest was about $4,000; ne had mad
no particular conversation with kibourne In refer
ence to the subject; he lett the money with HIM 10
dispose OF in accordance with his iud gment.
The committee adjourned at hali-past two
O'clock and notified Governor Cooke that he would
again be called.
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