The New York herald., 1876-12-31
WOODWARD DISCHARGED.
Tweed's Partner "Peaching" to Procure
His Own Freedom.
HE RESTORES S15O,OOO.

Ebert A. Woodward. the ex-conGdcntial clerk OF
Boss Tweed, who arrested in Chicago some three
months ago to answer to indictments for forgery ana
embezziement, and who has since lain the Tombs,
was yesterday discharged from custody. About
O'Clock IN the afternoon Woodward's counsel Mr..
Wheeler II. Peckham, called at the ofice OF
District Attorney Phelps. and was closetcd with that
official for about hour At the expiration OF that
time Mr. Peckham accompanied by clerks from
Mr Phelps ofice, proceeded TO the Tombs with
order of release the Warden When the party
rived the Tombs Mr. Townsend handed the paper TO
Woodward, asking him TO give it to the Warden.
Mr. Woodward ignorant OF tho contents, and in
CURED in puzzled way what it about "Read it."
said Mr. Townsend, and Mr.. Woodward tremuousy
opened the document No sooner had he divuged It's
purport than he exclaimed geeluy, "Brlng me my
valise; where's my hats' and was Wild Tor lew mo-
ments with happiness.
In less than half hour the party returned, ac-
companied by Woodward. The latter entered into
consultation with his counsel and District Attor
ney and the result OF the matter was that Woodward
handed Mr. Peckham number OF i'm
portant documents be used evidence the forth
coming trial OF Tweed ana, moreover, transferred
to the city and county New York property amount
ing 10 Sl05 0o0 besides furnishing security for the
restitution Of $4,000 more Woodward thon, accom-
panied by friends and Assistant Dis
trct Attorney Bell went TO the Office OF
Clerk Sparks, aud after the necessary entries
had been made upon the books OF the court.
Mr. Bell said, ''You may 20. Mr. Woodward upon
your recogn lzancc.n without instant IS hesi.
tation person addressed for door, and
IN less than halt minute was breathing the air OF tho
City Hall Park free man. After partaking OF httc
lunch with his counsel he started Tor NorwalS Conn,
has former home.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY PHELPS STATEMENT.
District Attorney Phelps inimates mat the entire
responsibility for the release ol WOODWARD devolves
upon Mr. Wheeler Il. Peckham, counsel Tor the people
IN The cv,! sa.,s against tweed ana Wood
Phelps said, had, after consultation with
Mr. Peckham, ordered the discharge of
prisoner on mis- own recognizance that he might
testify ior the people the ciyl suits also d.
receu that he should not be rearresed upon the civil
processes pending against him. No nolie prosequi
has been entered the criminal but II Is under
stood that should Woodwards testimony prove to be
valuable expected he Will be brought 10
trial
WHAT Mr.. pgcKaAM SAYS
"Mr. woodward Is a valuable witness, SIR; a
fain, inpressiveiy to representative OF the HERALD
yesterday. 1--WE shall Use him to the fullest advan
nae, he added, 'and when he has told some things
shat he knows, think We afford to enter noiie
prosequi IN his case You know we had
10 Tree him, Tor prisoner can only testify
under great disadvantages Besides, he has made
restitution oil xl05 900, besides promising S5O,0O0
more, and has also gwen documentary evidence OF
the most important character 10 bc used against the
Ring thieves"
Would IL be mpertinent to ask the nature OF those
documenisgf said the reporter.
NO. II would NOT be mpertinent TO ask the
reply, accompanied with bland smile; "but GER
sainly could not tell youu
WHAT HIS ATTORNEY SAYS
When HERALD representative called last evening
On Mr.. John d. townsend, Mr. Woodward's attorney,
be found that gentleman in most enviable irane of
mind indicative oil the pleasure he felt the
OF the afternoon. When asked il he had expected his
client s release lie replied
little time
..What the manner of the dscharge?'
xHc was discharged upon hts recognizancc,"
skM MT townsend, with evident satisfaction. "No
ball bond was required OF him.
'Will he be called upon 10 appear againf'
1t may not be necessary Tor him If called
on. however. by The prosecution tho coming great
suits. to make statement Mr.. Woodward is reaGy
Isll what he knowsn
woopwARD's PROPERTY. y
'W hat were the reasons OF his arrest in ChicagoY"
inquired the writer.
air. Woodward his way back here,- said
MT Townsend, lana more than two years ago he had
stated his desire TO make restitution OF the property
which came 10 his possession belonging the city.
He had been advised TO return Some Of the
indictments that We're instituted against him
10 nothing in themselves, and those which
were oil Importance we had abundance evidence to
meet Fortunately Tor Mr. Woodward he left friends
behind him. who collected and retained all his prop
erty, among which evidence which. in my opinion,
would have insured his release upon trial II would
have been utterly impossible certain parties who
had testified theretoior to have repeated evidence
had he been put on trial. The only indictments
which, under any circumstances he could have
regarded with apprehension were those OF forgery;
and state ON my knowledge, as positive any per.
son can give Il, that Mr. Woodward was never guilty
ol such an offence There trouble under such
circumstances IN dealing with sensible Ike Mr..
Peckham. Mr.. Woodward had desire retain the
money which belonged TO the city, He had nothing to
conceal, and, under a the circumstances, Mr. Peck
ham wisely thought that there for keep
Ing him ~ the expense OF the city,"
THE CIVIL PRoCEEDrSGs.
"Did you appear for HIM, Mr.. Townsend, In the civil
proceedings"
mo. The termination OF the criminal proceedings
had nothing to do with the civil matters They were
entirely distinct y
"ls be still held IN any civil proceedngss,
"ln regard To such have nothing to say am not
the counsel have no doubt that he has made some
satisfactory settlement, ana l draw that conclusion
from the fact OF his release. presume that Mr. Peck
ham would have transferred HIM To Ludlow Street
jail IL that had not been done. ~
ANXIOUS
'Had you any business with Mr. Woodward prior to
bis arrest in Chcagof'
II had. knew that he had long been anxions for a
settlement OF these matters, and solcitous OF
wiping out the stigma OF the indictments than
sning else Had II been the arrest in Chicago
he would probably have been in this city in a day or
two thereafter, seeking settlement for nimse!fn
Mr. Townsend spoke in happy terms OF the Jov dis
played by Mr.. Woodward his release. He said that
woodward had never his last born child, and
durng his Imprisonment showed the tenderesl aYcc-
lion Tor his family. As his release they
we're telegraphed Of the event Norwalk Conn. and
he started on the $50 tram them