The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-12
EXIT WHISKY, ENTER COTTON
Ripping Up the Cotton Frauds.
r. III. Shannon, Formerly United
States Commissioner, Indicted
for COnspiring to De-
fraud the Gov
eminent.
A FIELD DAY.

The Custom House was again besieged by
quite crowd Friday morning, but on this
occasion it was not by those intere ,ted in the
whisky business before the Court as much as
it was by those interested in the development
| of the cotton frauds.
| As was published in Thursdays BULLETIN,
the Grand Jury had indicted several for con-
spring to defraud the government By pre-
senting a fraudulent claim, and several OF
them appeared in court to plead.
The ease in which it is charged they con-
spired is that of Cleveland & Mills VS.. the
United States, in which the above-named
claimed 100000 for cotton destroyed by gov
eminent forces
Ga the opening of the court, District At
torney Beckwith announced that one August
Hagner was present in court with his surety,
he having been indicted for embazzlement of
funds of national bank. He gave bond for
$500.
Patrick Harmon, the ex-gsuger, was then
called, and the indictment against him for
issuing false certificates was waived, and he
Carthy. After an examination the surety was
accepted.
| The District Attorney then announced that
the Grand Jury had brought into court an
indictment, for conspiring to defraud the gov.
eminent By procuring false evidence to sub
stantiate false claim for property taken,
against r. Stewart Dennee and others.
The case of Cleveland & Mills is based on
& claim for 1897, 600, for cotton alleged to
have been burned in 1864 on the "Harall "
place, belonging to Mrs. Mary Cleveland.
In the evidence produced before the Grand
Jury it is said that there was % contract,
signed and sealed by r. 81. Shannon, United
States Commissioner, which purported do
obligate certain parties here and others in
Washington to divide the money obtained
under Judgment of the Sourt of Claims.
Commissioner Shannon was by fhis docus
ment given q Considerable interest in any
judgment that might be had, Notwithstanding
Che fact that he was alsoto takethe testimony
n the case.
The preparation Of the Case svas entrusted
to R. Stewart Dennee as attorney.
In Washington the claims were brosecdted
by Samuel Gamages George Taylor and John
J. Weed.
The whole thing promises 20 be the subject
of considerable exposure on both sldess
THE ATTACHMENT.
The District Attorney said thate inasmuch
as there were others implicated not arrested,
heidi not desire 80 have the indictment read
in open court.
Mr.. Dennee Was arraignsd. an8 as 4is
bondsmen were not io couyt ae ewajt Cd
their arrival.
After Mr.. Denneefs arraignnsn? 3. e.
Bouchard and p J. Kramel weSe syosp sn&
stepped forward.
The reporters were ae 1o-s to Knot The
reason of this mysterious movement, as il
was evident there was desire TO keep quie.
their business before tbs courts
When one of the reporters advanced as .
skirmisher he was struck full in the breast by
cannon shot with the startling. information
that the above named individuals were pres
ent to justify as ssurety for
r. H SHANNON
who had been indicted for conspiracy to- dee
fraud the government out of $500, 600.
Shannon, unlike other accused, did not
move from his seat, aud by this ruse attempt
ed to keep the fact Of his arraignment from
| the public, but when he was asked to plead
he was compelled to show his colors, and in
nervous restless manner he stepped out to-
the bar and pleaded "not guilty, sir"
The sureties, Bouchard and Kramer, were
examined as to their ability to pay $500 if
Shannon should run away, and the court be-
ing satisfied, Shannon, thu candidate for
United Safes district judgeship, deposited
himself into the nearest chair, q sadder man
than when his petition for the position was
signed by the New York bankers.
It is said his connection wifi the Cleveland
and Mills fraudulent claim is that he was ap-
pointed to take testimony in the case as COM
missioner, and that whilst so acting he man.
aged to put in a little that was deemed not
exactly straight by the government, and for
this crookedness he was jerked up.
Shannon, in this new role, throws consid-
cradle light upon that little pleasant event
that happened on r lmpart street a short time
ago, when Shannon was enveigled into J. P
Barrett's room aud a certain document coaxed
membered, Barretts room was entered, and the
same document stolen. Matt Hogan figured
conspicuously in the affair.
@That document, it is limited, established
Shannon's guilt
Never was the uncertainty of human great
ness more fully and clearly depicted on hu-
man countenance than on the face OF the once
august /" II you please, sir, Judge Shannon,
by c., sir" Those roseate fushes once
won't to play about his rubicund .countenance
had faded away into a cold twilight and the
luster of that eye once covering impecunious
litigants into trembling by its fire was gone.
The past with its victories faded away,
and in the language of another black Repub.
lcan, he repeated:
"Farewell the 'neighing steed and the shrill
trump,
The spirit-stirring drum the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp and circumstance OF glorious war.
And o, you mortal engines whose rude throats
The immortal Jove's dread clamors counterfeit,
Farewell. Poor Shannon's occupations gone"