Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1875-09-23
William Sinkfeld.

William Sinkfeld.
On Thursday of last week q colored
man by the name of William Sinkfie,d
came up from Augusta to attend the
Court of Reference, now in session at
this place, for the purpose Of proving a
claim against the County of Edgcfield.
The claim presented was 4 small one
Ssh and no doubt wasa just one asclaims
go in these days. The cream of Sink
fields little Joke, however, is not yet.
Somebody's previous to the appearance of
Sinkfeld, Paris Simkins had presented
acheck, before the Referee, for 800, paya
bic to this same William Sinkticld with
his sname-sa.'1yilliam Sinkiield" written
across the back, purporting to have been
issued for repairing the Court House and
Jail, and dated 1st Aug, 1871. The $S4
Check presented by SinkGeld in person
was also for balance due OH repairing
Court House and Jail, and was dated 26th
July OF the same year. The attention Of
Sinkfield was called to the fact that a
500 check payable to himself had al
ready been presented; he at once
disclaimed any knowledge Of such Check.
Paris Simkins was Immediately sent for,
the check produced and shown to Sink
field, with his name written across the
back. He at once pronounced . clear
forgery, for says he: l cannot writc my
name, never saw that 500 check before
in nv life, and it never could have beer
given to me, for John Wooley paid me
on the 10Th July, 1871, all that the County
owed me except $S4, and gave me check
for that amount, and the 800 is dated
five days after the County had paid me
up in full, with the exception of Ssh.
Paris Sinlkins now jumped up and
said: 81 bought that check from j. II
Johnson"
Sinkfeld, il an interview after leaving
, the Court House, told us that when he
wen. to JamessF. Harling, Chairman
County Commissioners, who was to al
low and fix tue amount to be paid for
the work on Court house and Jail, Harl-
ing said: "MaKe out a big account and
/ will allow il, and we win divide"
S.nkEeld says lio refused 10 do this, but
subsequently, and after lie had received
l,ispay except sS4, SiDklieid at Harling's
solicitation agreed TO give him, Harling,
an old wardrobe to set the $Si check
casted. IIarling received the wardrobe,
"but, as you see,' said Sinkfield, 81
still hold the sS4 check, not cashed."
Sii.ktield 5 last words to us were: Bring
Harling up here, and will face him in
all have said:
Two more peculiar transactions, and
we shall conclude.
On the 9th August. 1869, o check for
$500 was issued to a. S Wallace, once
Revenue Collector, now member of Con-
cress from South Carolina, sigued by
Frank Arnirn, c. G. c., which ran as fol-
lows: "To Johly Noolloy, Z. Il. C. Pay
A. S. Wallace, or order, the sum OF SOC,
provided the prosecuti"t OF Frank Ar
MIN by the U. S. be withdrawn" And
across the back of this check the follow
ing was written to the Treasurer: Re-
turn this check on account OF the proviso
therein contained"
On the 2lst August, eleven days after
the $500 check was signed, chcck for
800 was issued, payable to James F.
Harling, or order, signed: Frank Arnim
reading as follows: "Pay James T.
Karling. order. $500, for loyi'gprcss-
ing claims against the County" (The ital-
les are ours.)
What is the inference to be drawn from
these two transactions? Let us guess
at it.
Arnim sent Wallace check for $500
to withdraw certain prosecution against
him, Arnim, but this amount, we will
suppose, was too small; and, besides,
: Wallace had no intention OF presenting
check which from the "proviso therein
contained" might work his own ruin.
Hence we will suppose he returned the
check to Arnim, with presumably the
following endorsement: 81 want the
money-negotiate your own checks."-
Signed, A. S. Wallace. Arnin accord
ingly issued the $500 check described
above, payable to j. F. Harling, who ne
gotiated it, received the money therefor,
and Wallace was propitiated.
Pressing claims against the County in
deed! Arnim was the County, and Wal
lace the pressing claims.
There are other dark matters to come
to light. Even thelate Joseph Crews has
had finger in the pie. See list of claims
in another column.