New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-21
BRITISH DETECTIVES CONVICTED.
THE PRISONERS SENTENCED.
CLOSE OF THE GREAT TRIAL-THE EXTRAORDINARY
FRAUDS DISCLOSED

LONDON. Nov. 2O.-The case Of the four de-
toctye police inspectors John Mciklciohn, Nathaniel
DruscOvch, William Palmer and George Clarke,
together with Mr. Edward Froggatt. solicitor
indicted FOR unawfuy conspng together to defeat the
ends Of justice in connection with the recent tart
frauds on the Countess de GOncourt, which las
been on trial at the Central Criminal Court before Mr.
Baron Pollock for time past,was brought to close
to-day The jury found all the prisoners except Clarke,
guilty but recommended Duscovitch and Palmetto mercy.
The five prisoners then each sentenced to two
years imprisonment.
The trial which has resulted in the convic-
tion Of the abovenamed prisoners has excited general
interest in England both account OF the responsible
position held by the police officers and the extraordinary
character Of the crimes for which they arraigned
The indictments alleged "that they. well know
ing that Harry Benson and Others had
feoniousy forged and uttered certain war
rant for 100000 payable TO Jacob Francis or
order of which forgery the said Harry Benson and
Others have been since convicted did feonousy receive
harbor maintain and assist them Another count charged
them with conspring prevent the lawful apprehen
OF Harry Benson and Others and yet another with
having forged and uttered certain warrant drawn by
Valot de Vtry Francois 70 the order OF Charles JACK
son. with intent TO defraud." The presiding Judge was
Baron Pollock. The defendants having declined TO
plead a formal entry OF not guilty made The
case for the Grown was opened by AtorueyGenera
whose address fills six columns in London journals.
svindIers 6ad carried on betting fraud and that the
defendants had CONSUMED with thom TO prevent their
being brought 10 Justice one of the gang in question
was william Kurr, man OF great ability and energy.
Taking TO the turf in 1873 he established, with some
coDfederates betting agency under the name OF Philip
Gardner & Co. The public wero creduious and
large sums OF money were entrusted 10 hurr ana
them put the money into their pockets As this could
as long in place. when it became necessary
The sinders closed their office and opened another in
that Gardner CO.-MeikleiOhn rendered great a.
sstancc, and FOR bis services received 800 Meike-
john furnished them with information, and when
rants were issued against them he prevented them
quainted with Benson wel-educaed man OF very re-
spectacle family, and man OF great ingenuity. In
1872 Benson perpetrated a fraud upon the Lord
Mayor. for which he convicted and imprisoned.
prospectuses and presently Benson threw himself heart
and into the others frauds Late in 1874 the
cy Of Archer Co was started in London and prospcrcd
for tme until the defendant Dguscovch, ntcrpoSed,
and the firm was then transferred 10 Brighton.
KIrs acquaintance with MeikleOhn continued through
this period ana November L the latter sent word
that warrant would he out, and the gamblers must
DO ready TO ''scamper ont of the way" Al this time
$500 paid 20 Meklcohn in banknotes by Kurr, ara
the defendant employed u in the purchase OF residence
The business of Archer & Co." was now SO profitable
That Benson went to live at 5hankin, where lie edited
paper aud lived in sump;uOus style.
In 1870 Kurr and Beison with two others established
cae-,t; but the police soon iuterfered and warrants
were issued aea9st Walters ana Murray who were at,
against EuIr Meiilejon was now entirely in the power
received a message. from benson about the
Walter and Murray frauds. and Ohtnned permission from
his suuorOrs go down 10 the Isc OF Wight They bad
long interview on the 18Th Of April when Benson tried
sgtctins letter which clarke bad written to walters
aud by holding QM hopes OF a great reward u
between the parties took place, which led
another interview Oh June - when Benson gave Clarke
Nca%hiis in June 1870 McikIeiohn had been cores
Frnff gf.ta Lott. 10
make that KT should not De apprCheudej # be
turned 10 London. Ater journey 10 switzc 'land Ben
rooms at tne Iaugnam Hotel and Kurr, residing n Mar
qucss-ro9d' CtnoDGy WIoie Ieilcr 20 CartG DID AZ
view 6a-e re,orcJ mon FIX leifr r., siiparIfe
AGAINST kurr. hC could not De licut d. and clarke
was advised Take no proceedings no present" The oh
icci of the Bndicri thus thoroughly ACCOMPLISHED
IN the Spring OF 1876 Kurr ana MeKlcOhn met at
public-hOUsc in Ecntimau-rOac, ~ UhcA Drusc0yitch
was present. and this the fTst time that occr
il the when MckJohn told K1rr that Druscovitch
was i'm difficulty ana wanted loan Of $50. Kurr uu-
GeroOk 10 lend IT, and did so the following day without
tiers were written May ard June. 1876, ADVISING the
swHdiers 10 their movements. That Summer thee 81
the swlnGlers were ~ fafl, where fraud, the PARIS
Loan was stopped hy the Government and DruscOyiton
had something 10 do With stopping IT,
their return To LONDON tDey met Mcklel0hn by ~
poiutnent Cannon Street station and the four diued
further schcihe WucA thty hdu cOhcocleo. TINS was
fuTt1cr developed 10 MesleOhn at subsequent inter
views, ana d. now Known inc De huHtOtlt fraud
They established newspaper entitled The Snort
which forth success the turf OF "a
Mr. Montg Omcry, so extraordinary that com
bnauOn was made against Inn by the booknakers. lie
sired therefore, other people 10 lend Their names
under which he would continue his successful
atiOfs and remit the proceeds to those who
cated themselves with him. This paper intended
pave the way for the fraud in France bank in
vented-thc Royal Bans oil L0Hdon blank cheques
engraved and printed; and every preparation made
carry the fraud on the largest scale. Madame
DE- G0ucOurt induced by these representations 10
forward Of money amounting 10 &lO.17O. ana
a.. IL ff md hon her ttf1 init
frred and put the into the hands of Mr. Ahraams,
solicitor London, through whose interchangeable eXer-
tons the lady ultimately recovered nearly the whole of
her money. The prisoner Palmer also accepted money
FROM the swiuders ana acted with them. FrOggatt
lawyer who pTactIccd chiefly IN the criminal courts.
He readily aided the COnspiratOrs, and shared in tner
unlaW. al gains.