Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-03-10
THE TREASURY ROBBERY CASE
The Trial of Hlnlleck

before Ju1ge olln IN The CEtnlua
Court after our report closed.
The Court ruled that the evidence OF wit
ness-the confession would he admissible;
but he would rule that the evidence would
be received with the understanding that the
jury rule IL out, If they conclude from the
whole evidence I'm the case the accused was
induced TO make this confession by reason of
any inducements or promises, by reason of
any hope OF reward or fear of punishment,
and not consider it,
Counsel for defendant noted an exception.
Mr.. Fl. a Whitney testified that he was
clerk In the cash room, and it Was mis- duty
In arrange packages of money that had To be
sent off. Remembers that on the ID of June
he caused 81 ,G71 IS to be placed In an envel
ope on HaIleck's desk. HaIleck's duty was TO
recount the money and place seal on the
middle Of the envelope The moDey was In
the hands of several other persons besides
the accused on that day. An employee,
named McCurdy, was in the room that day,
AID left for Baltimore about Il IN. When
the money was missed the accused accOmpa-
MED him in search for it, aud did not oy
bis manner indicate trepidation or confu-
sion.
The District Attorney exhibited to witness
twenty seven $500 Treasury notes, and asked
him If be could identify them as the bills ne
had put In the envelope for the PARK BaIk on
the I'd of June, 1875, ADD witness replied, No.
j cannot say they are" The character of the
accused previous TO that time had been good,
so 1877 a. be knew
John 8 FoOd,Uorth, a shipping clerk in the
Treasury. was next sworn. Was on duty on
he 2d ofJune, 1915, and took several money
them over one was found To be missing. IL
proved to be the S4I 900 package; was salts
fed thai it was bot lost on the way to the ex-
pTess office; made an Intellectual search for
the lost package, but could not find IL. Knew
accused we'll. Previous to this trouble his
character for honesty, &c, hal been good.
IhonlGS j. Philips testified that he was di-
rector of packages on the % of June, 1S7j; oc-
cupied desk No. in the cash room; remem-
bers To have addressed the missing package
to the Park BANK, in New York. McCurJy
nd 10 h Ft,.a
day the money hau been lost. Did not know
who took IL. Witness was discharged from
the Treasury after the loss of the package;
knew the accused well; always regarded his
character Tor honesty, sc good.
4. a. Bishop testified that he was en-
ployed III the express office as receiving clerk
on the 2d OF June, and had been employed
there for twelve years. On the date above
mentioned WoOdworth and Vance came
down on the elevator with the money. After
reaching the express room they discovered
package missing, and hailOed up through
the elevator that package number one, con-
tanning 81 ,097 was missing. Mr.. Phillips
came down and said be recollected address
ing that package.
Defective Sargent testified to converslng
with the accused in the guard house, and the
prisoner had made Il fun confession of the
robbery TO him. Here General Henk!a
again objected but he was OverruIed by the
court and he filed his eXceptiOn.l AccnSei
admitted TO witness that the memorandum
book which contained the entries in his hand
writing would convict him. General Hen
kle again objected to the continuation of
such evidence, and added his belief that the
prisoner under fear had made these alleged
admissions, If made at all. he thought it
unfortunate that his client should be sub
jected 10 these grievances.l AT this point the
court adjourned.
THIS MORNING
the trial was resumed.
Doiectire Sargent was recalled, and previous
10 his testlfviug, Judge DIN cautioned the
jury L OF 10 read any newspaper statements
IN relation to the trial, as most OF them were
gross Interpretations of the facts. Mr..
Sargent testified that 1t was about O'CLOCK
Sunday afternoon, the 8th of August, that
Halleck made statements to him about tue
figures In his book, So 800, which he said was
the sum to be allowed by him 10 Ottman for
the restaurant on Pennsylvania avenue. He
said he had received from Ottman 5000 on
account OF the money charged. Halleck WAS
opposed to paying SO heavily for eXChaug-
ing mO8ey-ten per cent.-and had offered
Gilman To exchange $4,000 in the Treasury
department. Halleck statet TO the detec-
tives that he went to New York with OFT
man. In relation TO third party in the
transaction OF exchanging this money, all
Hallcck had said was that on one occasion
In Ottman'S saloon he had seen a package of
what Ottman stated TO be poker checks,
which he was about TO send to one Brown In
Saratoga. That o. had got MIN TO direct tie
box, and he suspected that this man Brown
lad been taken in TO help exchange the
money.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Henkle:-Halleck
was first taken TO the Central guardhouse OF
ii o'clock Saturday night when he arrived.
Witness saw him Immediately after his
arrival, and held a conversation with him.
He was in the lieutenants room; Detective
McElfresh and Major Richards were present,
also Mr.. McDevitt, Mr.. Julien, reporter and
several OF the police officers. Major Richards
held conversation with Halleck. The Major
told him that he would like a statement of
facts from him, but he could offer him no
Inducements for Sucn statement. Halleck
declined at that time to make any state
ment. SnVHral the
time with Richards. Witness spoke to Hal
leck and remarked, "this is a very bad snap
you've got iuto.' He said she didn't know"
A few moments afterwards witness went into
the adjoining room, and McDevitt produced
his memorandum book containing the
hgures, and they all examined it. Witness
pointed TO the figures and asked Halleck,
''wbat is the meaning of this Si7 900 in here?"
Halleck replied that all the boys were in the
habit OF scribbling in memorandum books
and about this lost money. Witness asked
him what the $500 meant. He replied that
it was in relation TO a negotiation about
some lands. Witness asked him what the
memorandum OF 81 300 meant, when he stated
that IL bad relation To another land specula-
ton. Witness remarked TO him that these
figures would show rough for him. He replied
ayes, il did look So"
q. Ibid he admit at that time that he took
the money!"
A: The only reply was, "that cook will
Had 10 other conversation with him, never
heard him say at that time that he took the
money. Witness never said, Benny, this
book will convict YOU" nor say, "Why don't
you tell all you know OF this affair" Mel
tber did witness promise him that Major
Richards would let him off scot free If ne
would divulg what be knew about the rob-
berry. No one in his presence made any such
promises.
Counsel for defence asked that Detectives
McDevitt and McElfresh, who were in the
courtroom, be excluded while this exam1-
nation of Mr.. Sargent was progressing, and
the court SO ordered 1t.
Did not say 10 Halleck, "There is a way
for you If you give up what you know"
Halle ok stated afterwards TO witness that
he was suffering the torrents of hell, bat
since he had confessed all he knew he felt
relieved.
j c. Jdnt a clerk in the cash room at the
Treasury department, testified TO the cir
connected with the discovery of
the loss of the package.
UE2i0Hi l.. Williams, clerk in the Treasury
department, testified that he was at police
headquarters on Sunday night, in company
with Mr.. Sargent, went to the cell of Hal
leck and turned back, as Hallecs said he
was ashamed 10 look him in the face. Wit
ness told him he was sorry To see hi in
such predicament. -Halleck said he hal
suffered the agOnies of hell and ne hoped