Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-19
.NlSSOURl.
The Cracked Whisky Frauds.


ST. Lonis, November ,lS. In the Mcdonald
trial yesterday, Joseph NJ. Fzroy testified that he
chief clerk in the United States Assessors Of
fee in 1871 and 1872, and become Deputy Collec-
tor in Charles w. Fords office in 1873, remained
until that officer died, and continued with Mr.
Mcguire in the same position.
He received money from Megrue, Thorpe and
Others and hid repeated conversations with Joyce
in regard to it. He said it all right. lie did
not know then who constituted the ring, but heard
money paid for political purposes. Subse-
quently he learned from Mcdonald and Joyce,
that the ring consisted Of Megrue, Mcdonald,
joyce, Collectors Ford and Mcguire, W. Mckee
| Avery, Patrick, Newcomb and guagers and store
keepers.
illness received money weekly from distillers
Urici, Bevis and Frazer, Busby, Teuscher and
others. Had few conversations with Mcdonald
The tenor of his instructions was to keep distillers
down as low as possible, and not let them make
crooked whskey to any extent This was in
1871.
/ knew of the coming of agents Brooks, Brasil
err, Yaryan and Gavtt. Some days before they
came | informed dis illers, ana told them 10
traighten up.
Under the instructions of Joyce, the main part
of the money received from dlstillers divided
in seven parts, and adivlsion made among Melon
aid, Joyce, Mcguire, Newcomb, Patrick, Mckee
and witness Storekeepers and guagers were
paid differently, in various sums and by different
persons Mr. Concannon, who was deputy col
lector in 1873, also received a sum ranging from
| 500 to $500 per week.
| During the first part of the present year, wit
| ness had conversation with Mcdonald at the
| Planters House, in which Mcdonald said he
| wanted $1,000 to remunerate some parties IN
| Washington, for information received from them.
Witness raised the money, and threw it over the
transom of the door of McDonald's room, as
| agreed upon with him. Witness was present
when 81 500 was given by JOY ce to Mckee, at the
Globe office.
Mckee said to witness, "Fitzroy, this is sacred
thing. You must keep it secret" Witness re-
piled he would do nothing to injure himself. This
was just before Mcguire became collector.
In November 1873, when joyce was in Cafor-
MA money was divided by Mcdonald. Up to
1873 it was divided into five pats, after that into
seven.
Witness mad conversation with Mcdonald in
regard to his testimony before the grand jury last
Nav. Mcdonald told him he must stand firm
that l. would not amount 10 any thing, that they
ma-t stand by each other.
| Iu cross-eXamination, witness thought he might
have $4,000 or SIS 600 as his share of the ring
fund. said he Is under indictment for conspiracy
to deiraud the Government, for PERJURY. and for
violation of the revenue laws. lie made up his
mind to plead guilty to all the indictments against
him, except the one for PERJURY, some days before
he did it.
He had 10 understanding with any one as to
what will be done with his case. No promise of
any kind WAS made to him.
The Mcdonald trial is still the centre of attrac-
ton, and the court room was again crowded to
excess to-day
The first witness was b. II. Engelke, rectifer,
who testified to having talked with Joyce, at va
rous times since 1871, about doing business.
| Witness was told by him that he could purchase
crooked whi,key and would be protected in SO
doing; in fact wa, urged to do So and several
times was asked by Joyce if he getting all he
could handle. Was always notified in advance of
agents coming from Washington or elsewhere to
investigate. He was sesscd $500 for 1t, which
he refused to pay. They then threatened to
close him up and he told them if they did they
would have to close others too. The matter was
finally compromised.