The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-03-30
IMPRISONED IN AN ATTIC.

A CAP MANUFACTURER IMPRISONED IN AN ATTIC
by AN ALLEGED FALSE MARsHAI-H1s MA
CHIMES TAKEN AWAY AND HIS BUSINESS DE.
sTRoYED.
Johann f. Locher is manufacturer OF caps at No.
100 stagg street. Williamsburg His work is principally
for tho wholesale house Marks Bros Nos so and SO
Greene street. New York Locher says he has worked
for that house for sixteen years He charges that
concern has underpad HIM from the first, giving MIN
but 81 per dozen when they paid 81 90 in their
shop, he paying in addition the expense Of ransporta
ton. They also, he says, took advantage OF him by
compelling HIM purchase all the 'stocks" on which
the caps made from them, thus realizing a hand
extra profit so that at tho end of his sixteen
years is but little better of than when he
menccd. All this however, he would submit to, in
consequence OF the difficulty in obtaining other and
more profitable work. In October last, after he had
finished large lot OF caps he that Marks Bros
declined to pay the full amount OF his bill
He declined their offer, and, under the Me-
chances Lien law he hypothetical sufficient
quantity of the goods TO pay his claim, and notified
Marks Brothers that he had done and that the pal
OF the goods subject to their order The
members OF the firm indignant at this action
and threatened legal proceedings but finally withdrew
the goods and let the matter Drop but gave Locher
more work on I'D of December last, Eugene Arm
helm, son-ln-lnW OF moab OF
the house. called on Mr. Locher at his residence and
after stating that the firm agreed to lot the OLD
matter drop as matter of no moment as they had
very large order for immediate manufacture and Loeb
ers assistance TO complete the contract was impcra
tive he was asked II he could at once make up 900
dozen linen caps Locher replied IN the Affirmative,
and thereupon asked TO come 10 the store
Greene for Instructions ana material On the
next morning he went and met Mr.. Marks In tho
office Lochcr was first questioned as 10 has facilities
for doing the work. and he SAID he had nyo machines,
which were entirely his own property As soon as he
had said this Mr.. Marks called man into the
Office who lined the lapel of his coat and
showed TO Iocher a shield winch he thinks had "Mar.
shall" on II, Marks AZ the same time saying, "Here
is the man take him along lie is n damned thief
and III send him and his wife and son to Sing Sing II
IL costs me $40, 900. ~
The supposed marshal then took his prisoner into
the upper lott OF the building aud there kept him
closely confined, not even allowing him sufficient
liberty TO answer the calls Of nature.
captors his hunger and alarm, unnervcd the poor
ignorant fellow, aud in response to a demand that he
should give them bill OF sale for his sewing machines
20 balance the old account, he said he would
ANYTHING LIBERTY.
They then placed papers before him which he
signed, not knowing their contents
Marks Brothers sent at once for the machines but hts
wife would not give them This made the firm in
dignant and alter pouring some additional abuse
their prisoner they compelled him 10 write letter to
his wife and son. telling them to give the machines up
Tho following are copies OF the letters both OF which
are written IN German, in very shaky hand, and arc
knew what he was doing. They also bear the printed
headings OF the concorn:-
OYFIcK or MAnKs BRos.
Nos. - ~ GREENE sTREET.
INV YoHK Esd Dec. 1873 y
that arrested here. Send the machines right
on here. aud tell people, " that will work
the shop until times better. Frederick must come along
with the machines.
With greeting. remain YOUR TRUE HUSBAND.
i. S-FRKDEHfcK Mr. Marks promised 10 give wOrn
and the machines should come 20 him.
OrFrcK MARKS BRoS.
Nos ~ GRRKSE srRKKr
NEW YORK. --, 1877 y
pRaR FnPnHRfrH Il with the and get the
chimes say Ia she shop until times get better
Nour true falher FREDERICK LOCHEh.
Armed with these letters the carman again went
No 100 Slagg street. returning toward evening with
the machines and the When The load was safely
housed In Greene street Locher released after
incarceration OF eight hours the telling him
that there was some prospect or a settlement
Of accounts between them, all they would do
for him was give him work the shop journey
THIS nc refused 60 do, but tried 10 obtain work
from other houses; but failing, nc believes through
the Vaccinations Of Marks Brothers. he has instituted
legal proceedings against them for 500 600 damages,
the complaint being against Marcus Marks, Eugene
Arnheim, Morris Bait and John boo 1.-THE supposed
marshal), for conspiracy and malicious Imprisonment
without authority, restraining his liberty and compel
ling hun by orco and threats 10 sign papers OF which
no knew not tho contents and running his business
$50 900 Tho put in by tho defendants doniea
all tho allegations of the complaint aud states
Lochor, Of his tree WILL signed bill Of sale Tor the
sewing machines aud duo bill Tor Sl50 10 baianco
account duo them Of tlO0
When the matter comes 10 trial before the Supreme
Court Of Kings county some Interesting Developments
Of other cases are expected.