Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-07
BLACK-MAIL.
An Unsuccessful Attempt to Bleed
the Hon. Fernando WOOd-One of
the Guilty Parties Arrested.
Washington (July p Special to the Chicago


an lnSucceSsAuA ANlen.pL 70 DAccO
the Hon. Fernando wOOd-One Of
the Guilty Parties Arrested.
Washington (July p Special to the Chicago
Tribune.
The circumstances of a bold but un-
successful attempt to levy black mail
upon the Hon. Fernando Wood have
Just come to light, by the procurement
of an Indictment in this city against
the parties engaged in the Villainous
transaction. Mr.. Wood states that in
the early part Of June he was waited
upon by a woman calling herself Mrs.
Samuel B. Murdoch, who solicited his
influence in obtaining for her a situa-
tlon IN the Treasury Department. She
claimed to be from his Congressional
district, and, bearing recommeda-
tons (now believed to have been forger-
ies) from constituents well known to
him, Mr.. Wood interested himself In
her behalf. Some days afterwards
Mrs. Murdoch visited him again, this
time bringing with her a man of for
bidding appearance, whom she intro
dnced to him as her husband. She
desired Mr.. Wood to obtain a situation
for him also. The pair were dismissed
somewhat unceremoniously, and did
not come again until the 18th of June,
when Mrs. Murdock again called at
MIR. Woods residence, during his ab-
sence, and remained some twenty min
ntes. Two days later, on the 18th
of June, at an early hour.
the man Murdoch, without warning,
appeared in Mr.. Woods dressings
room, and boldly charged that excel
lent man with having trihed with the
affections of Mrs. MurdOck at the time
of her last visit to his house, and &C.
manded that his wounded honor should
he healed by the application of large
r III of greenbacks. Mr.. Wood, con-
sciOus of his integrity, refused to 'see'
Alr. Murdock, and, ringing bell, had
him elected, notwithstanding the fact
that Murdock brandished a formidable
revolver. The same evening, as Mr..
Wood was seated on his doorstep. a
colored boy handed him
NOTE,
reading as follows:
Sir: / am satisfied as to your guilt.
l have my reason for not shooting YOU.
l viii settle for $4,000, you to take
the woman and keep her. The alterna-
tive, | will empty sever chambers Of
my Colts revolver into you on first
sight. Answer Immediately in writing
to messenger. Signed S. B..
P. S.-If You do not comply, will
publish you in all the New York pa
pers, and write to your wife.
Signed S. B. NJ.
OF course Mr.. Wood refused to COM
ply. He simply swore out a warrant
for the arrest os Murdoek. who was
subsequently apprehended, and, to-day,
during the session of the grand jury,
procured an indictment charging him,
first, with assault with attempt to kill,
and, second, attempting to blackmal
by sending threatening letter.
THE WOMAN
who pretended TO be the wife of the in.
wretch has disappeared, but
viii be pursued and brought back for
trial. 1t is to be hoped that the prompt
and fearless conduct of Mr.. Wood viii |
have the effect of striking terror to the !
hearts of the numerous class of male |
and female black-mailers who throng
TO Washington at every session of Con- |
gress to practice their nefariOus call |
ing. More than one Congressman Of |
less nerve than Mr.. Wood, but equally |
innocent, have been victimized BY the |
same process as that described above.