The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-17
Thu ATTEMPT TO SWNDLE Mr.. BEECHER.

THE ACCUSED ARRAIGNED IN THE POLICE
coURT-HARR1s REMANDED FOR ExAMINA-
TON.
Yesterday afternoon Police Justice Walsh's
court room, Ia the basement OF the Brooklyn City
Hall, was thronged Dy miscellaneous assemblage
OF people, the attraction being found In the fact
that the shallow James Harris, who attempted to
deraud the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher ON last
Wednesday evening oy passing poorly executed
bogus check Tor $500 on him, was TO be arraigned
Tor examination 1t viii be remembered that
when Harris was arrested he told the police that
ne did not Know the contents OF the letter which
he handed MIR. Deecher. but subsequently
he said that William +. Eddy was IN
COLLISION with him In the scheme. This
statement led TO the arrest OF the latter named
gentleman, who was present In Court yesterday
in company with counsel. When the case of the
People Va. James Harris was called, Mr.. shorter,
who appeared In behalf OF Harris, asked that the
case be adjourned. Mr.. Taylor. Eddy's lawyer.
opposed the adjournment as his client was ready
10 prove his entire innocence or the charge pre-.
ferred against him. Some debate ensued. after
which Harris was remanded to jail to await ex.
animation on Saturday next.
MIR. William Z. Beecner was then sworn and tes-
titled tnar he resides at No. l24 Columbia heights.
On the evening OF January IL the prisoner Harris
Henry Ward Beecher) and brought u sealed note
to nm; the note was read by Rev. Mr..
Beecher. VINO remarked that lC was evil
identified by wlIness) Rev. MIR. Beecner
requested witness and his brother to attend to
the Case telling hum to summon district teie-
graph officer, and directing his brother to hOd
Harris in conversation until the Olllcer came ;
they did so. ana two officers came 10 the house
the oltcers asked the deendant ..wnere ne lived,
and VINO had sent him." ana ne said tnat 'tne
man was commission merchant and lived In
EIAI "a sEat m Inv ha "a Nina
10 u.s." ana lie said 'bccause the stores were
closed and ne could not get the check csshed else
High street; am not positive that deiendant men,
toned any other name than ''Viewig. ~ tue name
signed 10 the bottom Of the note; MIR. Eddy's
name l. a strange one to me; never saw IL until
read 1T IN Che papers.
MI. Edoy on the charge OF colluslon. which was
made by Harris. who went into ;le apartment
where tnat gentleman was and pointed MIN out
me man VINO had promised TO give him hall the
proceeds Of the case.
At this juncture Justice Walsh sent for the Dis
srict Attorney 10 consult with MIN ABOUT the case.
Upon the appearance OF Assistant District Ator-
ney Moore Justice Walsh lett the bench, and re-
tired to the antechamOer to confer with him as
to the prOpriety OF placing the prisoner Harris
On the stand to testify as to the connection VI Mr..
ton on the suojec: the the Judge RESUMED his
seat on the bench anu said that he had decided
moi to take the testimony Of harris against tue
mad not been shown that his client had even at
tempted to commit the crime known under the
prctences. II had not been shown that his client
mad given the note TO THIS man and had prom
lsed TO divide the money with ilim. Counsel felt
assured that His Honor would not hold his client
upon The bare assertion OF Harris without the
sn9htest confederation. He would prefer, there
lore, to call Witnesses, who were then IN court to
esta olish the good character OF this man Eddy
The Justics then ordered that Mr.. Eddy lake the
witness stand, ana the accused being duly
sworn. testified as to.lows:-l am pooSkeeper
oy occupation: ana reside at No. 1873 Keep street.
Brooklyn, with my iather, Rev. DR.. II. B. EDDY;
have the testimony OF Omcer Codoington; my
place OF business IS on tho third moor vi No. 1852
broadway. New York, with the EDDY Brothers.;
was formerly oookkeeper Tor Messrs. Spankman IL
Co., Of BceEman street; while with them mad
charge 0l the checks. paid bills and filed them
out; Know the prisoner Harris by signt only.
Tue note and check were here shown to witness,
aud, alter minutely ana closely inspecting them.
ne contlnned;=l never saw these papers before;
know where Mr.. Beecher ives out am not Ger.
tain az to the number OF his house; aM sure
never gave any note or cneck to harris IN my lie.
This concluded tue testimony and the counsel,
after stating that he had hall dozen witnesses,
including the lather OF the defendant and his
uncle, General Duryea, who would testify as to
the good character OF the accused. moved his dis.
charge. The Court discharged Mr. EDDY, VINO left
the room IN company with his father and brothers.