New-York tribune., 1874-09-10
PROCEEDINGS AT THE TOMBS.
WALKER TO TURN STATES EvIDENCE-THE MEssEN
GERS STORY

GERS STORY.
The three prisoners, Julian Columbani, Will
liam H. Walker alias Gardiner G. Gerken and Charles
saca who arrested day before yesterday on the
charge of forging title deeds valued at W.
OOO the full details of which were given
In Yesterdays TRIBUNE, we're taken before Justice
Flammer at the Tombs. Robert B. Young and
Isaac H. Young, SONS of the deceased Isaac Young.
whose signature forged, testified 10 the alsty OF
the deeds Walker GerkoD the captain" as he
called volunteered to turn States evidence and VIII
probably be used witness against Sacia The ex-
animation of Saca and Walker was adjourned until
Friday and both we're committed William f. Howe
appeared for Sacia.
Columbani through his counsel, Samuel II. Randall,
asked for an immediate examination. Two alidavits.
both Robert B. Young charged him with making ana
uttering connection with the other prisoners, false
Decd and also with conspring with them to defraud the
deponent. Mr.. Randall claimed that these ahi-
dayits were insufficient to hold his client.
He insisted that no forgery had been committed,
inasmuch as dead persons could not be forged.
Then again. no one had been defrauded the alleged
fraudulent paper had not been uttered; and, finally
COlumbani entirely innocent in any view OF the
case as he only acted messenger for Others Judge
Flammer decided to hear the testimony, and recess
was taken until the afternoon.
Detective Irving fist called. and testified to the
arrest OF the prisoners already given THE TRIBUNE,
nothing new being elected. The cross-examinaOn did
not alter the statement At this point COlumbanis
counsel asked permission TO produce evidence that
Walker had convicted of Infamous crimes but this
was denied the ground that 1t was irrelevant at this
stage.
walker was then sho wn the forged deed. He recog-
nzed it upon which he arrested but said he
had never seen 1t until that day. He recognized the
handwriting as that of Sacia. He had often been In
Sacas office, but not during the last two weeks About
two weeks ago he met Columbani in front of the Bel
mont Hotel, told him that there WARRANTED deed
in his Walkers name, at sacias Office and asked him to
get it, The next time that he Columbian Was on
the day of his arrest He had not been aware of the ex
istence such deed, and not party to its execu-
ton Mr. Randall again tined TO impeach his testimony
but was not allowed to do SO.
Columbani then testified In his own defense. He
stated that he was dealer in sewingmachnes and
ved in Jersey City, eight nine months be sold the
younger Sacia three sewing machines for SIS. which
amount still due him; he had often called at Sacias
office, in his attempts to collect collect until about Ut
the time Of the Harlem Bank stocks controversy ID
sfIad 70 90 there About week ago he met Walker on
Fultonst and after taking drink Walker asked hun TO
20 errand for him as he was suffering from strc
ture He wanted him TO 20 TO the Registers office aud
get deeds which were there, n the name OI Grdner "
GerkeD, for property on MadsOn-aye lie saAd ne had
been buying some property, aud that he had given
bail boDd upon IT. and wanted the matter Strengthened
was told that the deed would be ready for ten days,
and this fact he reported 10 Walker Walker thought
amount after some trouble, he sent Columbian back
again. The clerk refused bribe, but Old him TO call
the next morning. This he did, and was arrested.
During his crossexaminatlOn he stated t1at he was
promised s. for the service; but, far from receiving
it, Walker still owed hn 81 borrowed TO pay for DRINKS
TO account for his visits the Office he said Saca had
claim of his Of S214 for collection. lie had
not seen him at his Office Tor SIX weeks,
though he had met him the street.
Walker he had heard real estate specuator. The
"captain used to drink and smoke a great deal lie
said he have been found III such bad
company and should be careful IN future. His
frequent visits NewYork were made Tor the purpose
of collecting money him, and in his present eircum-
stances IS was great deal TO Nun. . -, o.,
Mr Randall here resumed his application Tor Colum-
bans discharge reiteratng his argument that forgery
of dead mans name not forgery that no one had
been defrauied, and that his client was IN
any case innocent. Judge Fiammer decided that
he must hold the prisoner at least Tor the present.
aud ordered his commlttal.
The case was then adjourned, Judge Flammer saying
that he would hear thing further which
either side might have TO offer, and would then pass
upOn the question OF bail II stated after the close
OF the proceedings that bargain TO have been con-
summated yesterday morning with some persons from
New-JeTsey by which horse and wagon were To have
been exchanged FOR one OF the forged deeds. The
arrests of course stopped this transaction II 10 also
claimed that evidence be produced TO show that
Coumbani despite his story, has previously been en-
gagged in other transaction OF TINS nature.
The police made further arrests in the case yester
day. Capt Leary of the Twenty Precinct stated
that he had informed the police authorities Of Jersey
City In relation the forgery and they were making
inquiries regarding the reputation Of several
implicated in the crime.