The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-01
A DAMAGING ACCUSATION.
POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH HIGHWAY
RoBBERY-TH STARTLING TALE OF SING

POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH HIGHWAY
SING PRISONER.
terrible alc Of alleged crime. committed by police
officers was told in the New York DispacA of yester-
day. II 1t BIO trueand every desiring to feel safe
in must wish fail OF proof-the police
force Of New York must have comprised, and perhaps
yet comprises OF the scoundrels that have
tainted the moral atmosphere OF this city. The
substance Of the story is as foliows:-
Those who haye visited the State Prison at Sing Sing
within the last years, have convcrsed any ex
tent with the officials oil that institution concerning the
discipline and morale OF tho prison. have doubtless
heard OF tho extraordinary privileges which are ac-
corded to one oil the inmates, a colored man named
the prison night he has heen allowed 10 accompany
the guards their rounds he has been detected
IN the slightest breach OF prison discipline Mr. Hub
bell the late warden Of the institution, would swear ny
his fidelity.
And yet this model prieoner has already served six
years OF term Of nine years and SIX months TO which
he sentenced charge OF stealing man watch
and chain from his person IN the broad MONDAY and
under alleged circumstances Of peculiar aggravaton
For two three years before the outbreak OF the
war James Warner was the servant OF a wclknown
uptown physician. When the war broke out Warner at
volunteered in tho navy. he served with Farragut
in the Gulf and at Port Royal and at the end Of the
struggle he went to Europe with that hero. crused
with him IN the Mediterranean, and finally paid or
and honoraby discharged IRON the in this port
in the latter part oil 1868. HIS own story repeated
many times without the slightest deviation 10 the
officials ut sing Sng 10 that the morning he was paid
OIL he had 81, 400 in his possession.
As he got ashore and was paid of hc began to
drink lie rcclcd from place TO place until he reached
a billiard room basement In the Eighth war; fire.
qucntcd by coorcd people alone, In the rear Of which
there was dance house and the inevitable bar There
Warner commenced boast about money and to
order drinks after Wholesale and somewhat proinis
fashion. He treated" everybody the place,
and while OF these IFS OF generosity a ward de-
tective named Henry Leycrst entered the barroom.
AS he IN the colored man was about paying for
his drinks and do drew huge roll of greenbacks
from his pocket When Warner left the saloon and had
gone lew blocks from II he felt hand on his
shoulder and as he turned round to sec who accosed
him he fully recognized the detective he had in
tho saloon he had lett few moments before. The de-
tectve said
81 want you for something that was done this
morning You had better come along 70 the station
Although at his call tho detective was joined by
another individual, who had pair Of handouts in
his hands Warner resisted arrest and handled tho two
policemen so roughly that he would havc evadcd
police captain, who much bepuned for presumed
detective Ss skill arrived coor on the scene:
There detective said that three four negroes had
gone lager beer saloon in the ncghborhood that
morning, and, calling beer refused TO pay for it,
When the landlord demonstrated one OF the coored
men, with whose description Warner correspondent ex
acty snachcd silver watch and chain from his per-
aud made of with IT, the others following the thief
in hot haste. Warner was examined before Justice
bowling and was held TO await the action OF the Grand
tried before Judge Cardozo sitting in the Court Of Oyer
Tcrmner To his surprise little girl the daughter OF
the lager beer saloon keeper, identified him the
who had snatched her ahers watch after refusing
pay for beer he and his party had drank. He
victed and rs there was no record OF previous con
vic,on against HIM he did not receive the maximum
penalty Tor tho offence, which twenty years. anI
'let oG,'ns the police expressed It, with nine
years and SIX months
Warner says that he has never since seen cent OF
the 81, 400 no had with HIM when arrested He was
railroaded to the State Prison NJ Sing sing and no
tnfnr yl.n
in the past should know Of the terrible disgrace which
had overtaken him.
II is further declared that two years after Warner
Sing Sing, the detective and the officer he
called his assistance In arresiing tho coored man.
before the arrival OF the police captain, both
charged with an attempt At robbery IN sbadgcr'
house
Both, II is sad pleaded guilty. having been assured
that they would be let on very lightly The pledge
kept to the detective for sentence suspended
him, but his companion was permitted TO 30 to Sing
Sing sentenced Tor twenty years. This man. thus
treated has the article says, made confession that
the purpose Of arrcsting and raroading' Warner
to procure his 400 and the confession Is in the
hands Of Governor Tilden.