The New York herald., 1876-09-22
Nettleship's First Appearance on
the Witness Stand.
A PROPOSITION TO HAVE SOME FUN
Arrangements for Stealing tho Eookl and
Placing Them in AleXander's House.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BURGLARS.
WASHINGTON. Sept q. 1874

In tho statement Of Ncttcship tho Assistant Chief
OF Secret Service who detailed the manner OF his em-
poyng the burglars to carry the safe blowing con.
spiracy for Harrington and his contreres
TESTIMONY.
On the Court beng convened Colonel whitley was
called for cross examination which was conducted by
Mr. Fullerton.
In giving narrative Of his proceedings he said that
he again came TO Washington the 27th of April the
sale having been blown on tho esd he saw Harrington
and Babcock; in . conversation with General
Babcock the latter said something about Har-
rington's bad management and remarked, al
thought you wero too smart to be connected with
IT, or something Of the samc import; the witness
conveyed the idea TO Babcock that Harrington and
witness were engaged in it. and Babcock then made
tho remark the witness said no did not think that
Babcock made any remark way the other.
his having any knowledge OF the matter the witness
went to General Babcock next at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. OF New York; the conversation took place
the stairs IN the month OF May; the witness went to
see him in regard TO the investigation OF the Secret
Service, and told him that his admin sraton had been
honest; Babcock said 10 nn, stand by your guns
and III protect your rcar;" the witness did not sup
pose that General Babcock entirely ignorant OF his
(Whitley's) connection with the safe burglary, Tor
Babcock had sent him to Harrington
Judge Fuerton-Gve any reason you have for sup
posing that General Babcock knew OF the sstc burglary
and told Babcock that Buiord Wilson was his enemy,
and General Babcock replied III think not"
Witness was questioned at length as to his testimony
before the Congressional committee investigating tho
affairs OF the District Of Columbia, and was asked Did
you not ntond to convey the Impression by your an
swers that you knew nothing Of the burglary"
Witness replied that they did not ask the proper
question: and SAID to Mr. Fullerton, fyou had Cross
examined me they would have got all
Judge Fulerton-Then would have had bottor luck
than have had to-day. U.aughterl
TESTIMONY BANrfELD.
f. c. Banfield, formerly Solicitor OF tho Treasury
Department, was then sworn lilo corroborased the
statements OF Whitley In reference to his interviews
with Babcock In Washington.
EVIDENCE NErrLEsHIr
lchabod c. Nettleshp was then called, and before
being sworn tho District Attorney obtained permission
from the Court 10 enter noe prosequi In regard to
him.
Nettleship being Of the parties indicted for
nccion with tho conspiracy his prefencc created quite
nuttcr, II being the first time nc has gwen any owl
dence public in regard to the burglary, the
having been unable, although he indicted, 10
pr,ng him here during tho iormer trial Tho court
room densely crowded, and his evidence given
In rapid and jolly manner, and It created quite sem
sation.
Before commencing the District Attorney said there
pledge or promise made HIM, but that he en-
tered tho nollo prosequi IN simple justice to Ncttc-
Nettleship testified that he resided Newark N. j.,
and had Tor several years held the position Assistant
Chief OF tho Secret Service under Colonel H. c. Whit.
ley, and took charge Of matters during tho atters alb
sence he said that IN March Of 1874 ho received in
structions from Whitley to como TO Washington and
bring couple of men with him to do piece of work
wh,ilcy told him that the folks at Washington wcro
they pressed very hard; that tho
morialists were getting up testimony injuro
them; said duty would bo to connect with the
memoriaIiss and ascertain what they were doing SO
TO be able to counteract their efforts and post
folks II thcre was anything wrong beng done. Wit
ness first sent for man named j. n. OverwOrth and
another named Gus Ziruth, two fellows who will
ing to do such u job, and engaged them TO go 10
Washington, giving them the same orders that he
ccived from Whitley; witness accompanied them part
OF the way telling them they should get in with White,
M. r',e snd C,sa
correspondent OF tho New York sun; also with Mr..
Columbus Alexander, who was tho head of the memori-
asts. who had asked Congress to investigate tho
affairs OF the District and try and find out every thing
they could especially whcro tho newspaper men got
tho Information they published, and the report daily
to George Gideon. who Babcock's assistant;
some days attcrward: probably tho 27th
or 2sth of March. Whitley told witness that
ho had better 20 down TO Washington
and see how things were working which did;
upon arriving Washington witness learned that one
OF his men (Ovcrworth) had been arrested for selling
cigars without license. or out of boxes without
stamps; Whitley also came to Washington with HIM,
and they both called upon Harrington at his house,
whore witness spoke OF Overworth's arrest Harring
ton said the men should hereafter report to him. hat
he would know them
witness secured release for Ovcrworth and ordered
HIM back to Now YORK; after taking dinner with
Whitley and Banleld he returned TO New York. as did
Whitley; about the 1st OF April Whitley complained
that tho men IN Washington did nothing; ho had In the
meantime sent man named Parker here in Over
that, If worked properly, would suit
THK PROPOSED BURGLARY.
He then spoke OF the investigation at Washington,
contractor had been called for and brought before the
committee; but that tho memoralists thought the
books were not Rcnuine he said If these same books
could be stolen and given to the memorialists, and
have II arranged that the memoralists would produce
ralists aierward, after they found thcy had been
fooled that they would be blown out OF the water and
the memorIasts would be rdiculed that there would
be no more Investigations hoard OF. Witness asked
"But suppose 1t don't work. what then? ?'
Whitley answered. Harrington is the District A.
torncy there. and he will ako care OF US a" " adding,
ridiculed aud blown out OF the water
During this time zirruth was working in with Alex.
duced 10 him and other memoraiists; he Was letting
thas ho wanted to buy property and build a
city again and met Michael Hayes, detective who |
had been sent on hero to work part OF the case by
Whitley; so far, witness had taken steps tho
burglars break the safes opsn he had long talk with
Hayes at the Owen House, in this CITY, nrst giving
speaking about robbng Comptroller Grcens safe, in
New York, upon which Hayes said impaticntly what
is the joby' ho told Hayes that all he wanted to |
do was TO mako the memoria.isis 'sick:' that tho |
books must be taken out OF Harringons Office and put
in Alcxandcr's house IN some way; that hc must DO
fooicd into receiving them. nn1 that the
to akc them there must DO arrested just no
lvering tho books, ana would have 20 Jail for
few days. that the purpose Of IL ali was to have some
tup, as Whitley told him; hayes said he would go TO
New York and hire man to do the burglary part and
man who would agree to go to jail for little while;
the job; Hayes went to New York, and witness re-
mained 10 this city; about April IA Hayes clegraphcd
parties won't sell at that prce-want 81, ,000"
Witness thcn went back TO New York, but unable
to find hayes; he showed Whitley the telegram and
asked what he should do; Whitley said, Go down 10
SomcrvilIes Office Chambers street and get Miles,;
he will do the work:'' witness did to somcrvilics
Office, but did not find Niles; did not tell Somcrvic
what kind OF job he wanted Miles for, but said he
had some work for him TO do: on tho next day
ho called neain to Somcrvie, and was told
hat at ten O'Clock Miles could be found at Dclmoni-
co.'s; hc went there met Miles, and told him he
wanted Job done In Washington ana tnat one of tho
party would have TO be arrested and kept In jail Tor
llttle whilc Miles, who is also known Bliss and
Williams. SAID -
at won't do ior me TO go TO jail some one would |
know mo; but will get you man to DO that part,
and VIII blow open the safe In fifteen minutes. "
then left him and went TO Hayes, and told him |
that he would tho Jersey ierryboat \
the next morning sitting between two |
men and that they were the who would 20 10 |
Washington and do tho job; the morning witness
found that Miles had secured Walter Brown alias Ben
ton assist did not Introduce I'll Ell 10 Haycs