National Republican., 1874-07-03
ATTEMPT At BLACKMALL.
HON. FERNANDO WOOD THE INTENDED
VICTIM-HOW THE AFFAIR WAS DIS
COVERED

HON. FERNANDO WOOD THE INTENDED
VICTIM-HOW THE AFFAIR WAS DIS
COVERED.
During the recent session of Congress Hon.
Fernando Wood, of New York, was visited by
q woman, giving her name as Mrs. Samuel B.
Murdock, who desired to secure his influence
in procuring situation for her in the Treasury
Department. She presented papers to show
that she was from the district he represented,
and was also recommended by number Of his
constituents for the situation. Willing to as
sist the female in the matter, he wrote letter
to Mr.. George B. McCartee, superintendent OF
the bureau Of engraving and printing! urging
her claims and soliciting her appointment,
which was made. After becoming settled in
her position, she subsequently called on the
Congressman, accompanied by q man whom
she introduced as her husband, and asked that
Mr.. Wood would intercede in his behalf, and,
if possible, secure him employment In some
one OF the departments. The honorable gen.
tleman was not prepossessed with the mans
physiognomy, and surmised that there was
some trickery in the matter, consequently was
slow TO promise his influence to the applicant,
and ultimately did nothing towards assisting
him in the direction requested.
On Wednesday, the week previous TO the ad-
journment of Congress, Mrs. Murdock made o
third call on Mr.. Wood-this time at his resi-
dence-and again interceded in her husbands s
behalf, remaining IL the house probably half
an hour, and retired without receiving any
more encouragement than at the previous
visits. On the following Friday morning, about
7:S0 o'clock, while Mr.. Wood was in his room
dressing, the man Murdock, by some means,
entered the house and suddenly appeared be-
fore him. He then boldly charged Mr.. Wood,
on the Wednesday previous, at the time his
wife visited the house, with having had i'm
proper intercourse with her, and demanded
reparation. He thought that his wounded
honor would be healed if be could secure the
pavment OF a sum of money, and was prepared
to enforce that demand by the aid ofa revolver,
which he drew, cooked and leVeled at the head
of Mr.. Wood.
This attempt at intimidation had no effect on
the honorable gentleman, who took the inter-
loper of coward and black-mailer, and, look
ing him squarely in the eye, caused him to
falter, and his courage was rapidly forsaking
him when the servant appeared and expedited
matters by giving the rascal q short and quick
route to the street. No more attention was
given the subject at the time, but in the even
ing of the same day, as Mr.. Wood was sitting
at the front door, note of the following pur-
port was handed him by a small colered boy:
''SIR am satisfied as TO your guilt.
have my reason for not shooting you. I will
settle Tor S0O,UOU-you take the woman ana
keep her. The alternative: will empty seven
chambers of my Colts revolver into you on
first sight. Answer Immediately in writing to
messenger. S. B. NJ.
off you do not comply will publish you in all
the New York papers and write to your wife.
S. B. NJ"
Now that the mans purpose was fully ex-
posed, it was not to be expected that Mr..
Wood would quietly acquiesce in the PROPOSE
ton; so the messenger was dismissed and a
warrant procured for the arrest of Murdock.
He was subsequently arrested by Detective
Sargent and taken before the Police Court and
held for hearing; but, as the grand jury has
found two true bills of indictment against him,
the case has been noUs prosecuted in the lower
court. 1t is pretty positively asserted there
is no connubial relations existing between the
couple passing as Mr.. and Mrs. Murdoch, but
rather that the conduct of the former indicates
that she is merely his assistant in black-mail-
ing operations.