National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-19
A CURIOUS CASE.
Two Men Imprisoned for Four Months With
ont q Hearing

Two men imprisoned Ior Four months WIFI
ont Hearing.
There has come to light within the past two
days cases OF imprisonment In the city jail which,
If the statements made regarding the same be
true, are Of the graTest character, and the imme-
date attention Of the authorities is called there
to- On Wednesday last two Frenchmen, named
Paul Godfrey and Victor George, we're brought
into the Criminal Court from the jail after an
Imprisonment Of over four months, where they
had been confined on the charge Of horse-stealing.
There being no evidence against them they were
discharged. A representative Of TIE REPUBLI-
from whom be Obtained the following statement:
Paul GrOdfrey left Alsace with some families to
EMIGRATE TO AMERICA.
In London he met his brother-in-laW, Victor
George, who Joined him. The two families were
Castle Garden, New York, on the Path Of August,
1874. They next went Gto Boston and New Ha-
ven, where they endesVored TO obtain employ
ment with some jewellers at these places, but be-
ing unsuccessful they only remained in those
parts about q month and proceeded to Baltimore,
Hs OTe time S II aOps the route
reaching Baltimore they purchased horse and
wagon, paying eighty dollars for the horse.
ington, and the detectives, who were:on the look
out for him. had teleRraphed in all directions
making known the fact They remained two
days In Baltimore, and afterwards went to An
napOlis by boat. Remaining there q short time
they returned to Baltimore, and taking the team
travelled about twenty. miles in the country
They stopped at farm house and fed, and then
travelled thirty miles in the direction Of Ooum-
bis, Pa. and on the third day passed Columbia
and proceeded towards Harrisburg.
COMING BACK.
They next retraced their steps and started to-
wards Richmond, Va, and on the route at Ha-
RerstoHn, Nd, about ten Gays after leaTing Bal
timOre, were arrested BY as they state, two badly
of the peace and by him committed to jail in the
town, where they remained one day. During the
night they were asked If they would consent to go
to Washington, as a horse had been stolen, and
they were suspicioned Of being the thieves. They
consented, and the next morning they were hand
eutisd, and In company with IN, washington T de-
asked to pay their fare themselves, which they
refused to do. They reached Washington about
noon, and without any trial were sent to jail. at
the end Of two or two and half months they were
taken before Judge Smell, where their names
were registered, and, no questions being asked,
were taken back to jail.
AN INTERPRETER WANTED.
They assert they were unable to speak the Eng
lish language, and no interpreter being present,
they could do nothing in their own defence They
were told that the reason their trial did not come
of was owing to the grand jury not being in ses-
sion at that time-a iact it was asserted they had
been informed of before they consented to come
Afterremaining in iaii some time after the second
examination, they managed through prisoner TO
get word TO the French Legation, and Marquis de
Chant run sailed Judge Fishers attention 10 the
case, who made an investigation Of the affair and
found 1t entirely informal.
THE CASE ENDED.
They were then taken to the court and nOlIe
P3 Os. was entered and they discharged from Gus
tcdy. The Marquis took charge Of the men and
found quarters for them with Mr.. Jacobs, the
confectioner. who raised considerable funds for
them from the French residents in Washington,
and last night they left for the South for the pur
pose of obtaining some lard to settle upon, after
which they will send for their families. These
men lett their homes for the purpose Of buying
some land in this country, to establish a settle
II successful to have others OF their friends come
to this country. Their Imprisonment has some
what retarded them, but they have started
withsl with considerable vigor. They assert that
while in the prison in Washington they were fire.
quently called upon by lawyers who offered to
clear them for ten fifteen dollars, but they re-
sisted all Overtures. The affair has caused con-
siderable feeling among the French residents Of
Washington, and the prompt action of the Mar
quis is highly appreciated.