The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-02
INTERVIEW WITH Mr.. sroRns.


CHICAGO. ILL.,, April ], 1870.
Mr.. F. A. Storrs, who was the leading counsel for
General Babcock was interviewed by q Chicago Tyib-
une reporter relative Bells story before tho Cymcr
committee yesterday. and says Bell is a miserable
dead detective. lilo also makes the following DIS
closurc:-
O DO you know Mr.. Belif A. Well, should rather
think did
Q. Who is he, A. A dead beat detective
= Did no make any proposition 10 you concerning
the Babcock cssc2 A. Yes; he camo to me at Wash
ngton and said that the Treasury Department had
ployed HIM TO steal certain papers in the cases OF
Avery and Babcock
Q. What did you tell hims A. told him that he
welcome to all tho papers he could steal from us
and II he got any they couldn't do him any good.
q. What did he say TO thatg A. He stlll insisted
that he had been engaged by the Treasury Department
to do as he had stated.
O. What further did you tell himf A. told him II
no could produce any contract 70 that effect
would talk business with him.
Y. What did he say thcns A. He said no would sec
and let me know in day or two.
q Did you see him again. A. Yes He came back
and stated that he couldn't get written contract from
tho Treasury officials, but he produced affidavit
written by himself duplicating Buiord Wilson, Dyer,
Brstow and other Treasury officials in such scheme.
T. What did you do about ~ A. ] cross-examiued
him pretty closely and found out that he was fraud,
ready TO sell out to anybody for lved0ar bill II no
could not get any more, and bounced him.
Q. Did You make any. propositions to him to clan
dcstiney corral any documents belonging to tho prose-
cuton IN the Babcock cascY A. Such an idea never
entered my head and never madc any proposition TO
him whatever except get that between him
scf the Treasury department which he boosted OF
having made
Q. Where IS that affidavit now9 A. 1t is in safe
hands and viii be exhibited to that investigating CON-
mittcc al Washington.
MORE LIGHTS on BELLS HISTORY
Wash Aa-s t.h tsn TuI n<S<ys
Secretary Chandler says that in December he in
OF good detective, and mentioned il at Cabinet
meeting nquiring OF other members Of the Cabinet II
they had some one to recommend to him. Some
days aterward the President. told Secretary Chandler
that man who hal been spy IN his service during
the war, aud was very good detective, was in search
OF employment, and that he lthe Prcsidcnt had sent
him to Mr.. Chandler Bell called on Mr. Chandler and
Gent his card General Hnrlbut OF Illinois, was IN
tho room and saw the card. Hc said to Mr. Chandler
~ know that man. He was spy in my. employ
Chandler then sent for Bell to como IN He agreed
% take him on trial, and md, referred HIM to Chief a
out, but he asked few days timo that he might nix
up matters he was engaged in. Lcbarncs granted
back he wanted his pay. saying he had been in the
service OF General Babcock. Lsbarncs refused 10 pay
Mr.. Chandler refused TO pay. him unless he would
bring certificate from Babcock that he had been on
government service somehow he got General cowan
TO certify 10 his service while Chandler was gone,
and got his pay Then he wanted 10 be assigned
TO duty at 81. Louis, because his family was
there and Lebarncs, having some cases TO work up
there gave hun lot OF fraudulent pension papers.
Bell had not been away many days when the President
told Chandler he had reason TO believe Bell was a bad
man. and II he In the department he had better DO
discharged. Babcock consulted about the service
Ben claimed to have performed and stated that 1t was
a myth. so Bell was gwen his discharge Chandler
says neither Luckey nor Babcock ever spoke TO him
1 about Bells appointment, and that TO his knowledge
Bell paid cont by the department, although
the vouchers show that General Cowan thcn Assistant
Secretary, ordered that he DO paid Chandler will go
before the committee.
Colonel Luckey says that Bell to HIM several
times and, protesting 10 be friend OF General Ball.
cock. gave him what he claimed secrets OF the
prosecution, but no employed him. District
Attorney Dyer of ST. Louis, Is here, and says that
BELL a fraud, and that he had to him and pro-
essed to know all about General Babcock's move
ments and willing to expose them Tor money. Al
one time he intended 10 put Bell tho stand AZ Con-
ernl Bobcock's trial, but dared not do IT.
Judge krum. General Babcock COUNSEL Is also here,
and says Bell employed in the case to his
knowledge. II Is stated on the authority OF member
of the Judiciary Committee which Is investigating the
whskcy trials, that Bell came to him and offered to
tell what he knew for SAL 00 The Congressman from
Mississippi all know Bell he having been mixed up
politics down there and they untcdly declare him to
be rascal and professional blackmailer