National Republican., 1877-08-28
MILLIONS In III.
A BOG CS BROKER RUNS OFF WITH
A BUNDLE OF MEXICAN CLAIMS


JoHSsoS-HE Is RELEASED on ACCOUNT OF
AN ISfoRMALITY IN THE wARRANT-BAN-
BoozLEs THE PROPERTY CLERK INTO DE.
LIvERiSG THE PAPEBs TO HIN-AND DE.
PARTS TO UNKNOWN REGIoSs-oN WHICH
ACCOUNT THE DETECTIVES ARE AGAIN
LOOKING FOR HIM.
Last Thursday afternoon James NJ. Wilbur
was arrested on warrant sworn out by Jasper
johnson, charging him with the larceny OF
valuable papers representing claims for prop
crty destroyed on the Mexican border. The
proceedings since that time have been inter
cstng, and the climax was reached yesterday
by the release Of Wilbur by order Of Judge
Wylie on account of an inlormality In the war
raut and his subsequent disappearance with
the alleged stolen papers.
When Mr.. johnson first obtained the war
rant hc made affidavit that Wilbur had de-
tained the papers from him with intent to
steal them. A process was issued, based on
this affidavit, charging Wilbur with the lar
ccny Of tho papers. At the hearing in the
Police Court last Saturday Wilbur's attorneys,
Messrs. Henry W. Garnet aud Theodore J.
Miller, demanded the release Of the prisoner,
on the ground that the information charged
him with no oifense against the law. Mr..
Francis Miller attorney for tho Government
asked for continuance until to-day, rs he eN-
pectcd by that time to produce evidence snfti-
ccut to warrant the Court In holding Wilbur.
Judge Mills ovenulcd o motion OH the part
Of the defense to release and ordered con
tinuancc until to-day. The next move In the
case was made yesterday. Wilbur and his
counsel played Sharp trick, by which Wilbur
got ont Of custody before johnson and his
counsel, Col. Jack Brown, knew anything
about IL. When Wilbur was arrested Mcssrs
Hill and Ellsworth gave bail for his appear
ance. Shortly before noon yesterday, Wilbur,
| - L. 80. Ia
Police Court, and the .surctics surrendered the
prisoner 10 the marshal. writ of hnbeds
corpHs from the Supreme Conrt Of the District
was served few minutes afterwards.
About 1890 o'clock Wilbur was taken before
Justice Wylic on the writ Mcssrs. Garnett
aud Miller appeared as his counsel. Neither
johnson nor any of his friends wero present.
Mr.. Gaructt claimed that the warrant did not
set firth sufficient grounds on which TO hold tho
Petitioner. There was no charge Of larceny,
but one that he held property belonging to tho
complainant which he intended to convey to
his own Use. II might be good action in re-
plevin, but certainly was not criminal
charge.
Justice wylc after examining the papers
held that they were insufficient to hold tho
ptisouer, and discharged him from custody.
lie declined 70 give Nh order for the rcstora-
ton of the property, as he said II was not In
court, aud he had no control over u.
After leaving the City Tall Wilbur and his
attorneys went again to Judge Mills and ask ed
him for an order for the papers, which were In
the hands Of the property clerk. Judge Mills
rrfnscd 10 give any such order until the merits
of the case were decided at the hearing to-day.
Being unable 10 obtain the requisite order,
Wilbur, Mr.. GaInett and u man naiucd Ram
dali, went to the Office Of Mr.. Iierrick, the
prnperty.clcrk nj police headquarters, aud ex-
planned that Wilbur was no longer IN custody
4 Il l..V I.I.. H..
and finally prevailed upon Mr.. Hcrrick to
give up tho package Of papers to Wilbur.
Wilbur gave the usual receipt aud Nr. Her
rick gave a receipt to Lieutenant Vernon, in
whnsc charge Wilbur was placed when ar
rested. The most interesting part Is to come.
Jonson aud his friends did not learn of the
discharge Of Wilbur until about 2 o'clock In
the afternoon. Then they proceeded directly
| To police headquarters to see II the papers were
safe. To their establishment they found that
Wilbur had gained possession Of them and had
gone. BY the sdvice Of his counsel, Colonel
Brown, Johnson iinined lately got out another
warrant for Wilbur, charging him. both In the
information aud the process, with the larceny
Of the papers, 80 that there could be no chance
Of any legal quibbling over technicalities.
Tho warrant was placed in tho hands Of the
| detectives, bnt Wilbur was nowhere to be
found. There were several reports about
where he had last been seen, but nothing def
mite. Some said that he had been soon on
Pennsylvania avenue, and some that he had
been soon on Four-and- -a-half street. Ohicers
were searching for him last night, but could
not ind him. lie had deserted his boarding.
house, and, to all appearances, Jumped" the
| town.
The police were particularly interested in
apprehending him on account OF the property
clerk, Mr.. Herrck. The delivery Of the paper.
to Wilbur without an order from the court wa
| i.rnu,,Iar Nd ho " CLARK ha hal.
responsible for them II they are not recovered
The story Of tho claims and Wilburs connec
tion with them is quite long and interesting
| The papers represent ,422 separate claims fol
property destroyed on the Mexican border by
raids under Cortina, and their aggregate face
value amounts In round numbers to $17 600 900
Mr. Jasper w. johnson got possession OF the
claims as attorney for the original claimants
the arrangement being that he was to have
ffty per cent. Of whatever was allowed on
them. Some time ago he met Wilbur, mar
from New York, without many references, bu
with glib tongue. Wilbur represented him
self as a broker, empowered To deal for rich
hrm in New York, who manipulated stock,
aud frequently took hold Of claims. Under
tho prctense Of negotiating for the purchase
of part of the claims he wcdged his way int
JOhnson's confidence.
An arrangement was made by which John
sou was to sell TO the rich nrm In New York
MY per cent. Oi bis snare, or twenty hve pei
cent. Of the whole amount Of the claims for
consideration Of two cents on every dollar o.
their face value. Ofthis Wilbur was to receive
ten per cent. for his services In negotiating tn,
sale. During all the transaction Wilbur 70
fused to disclose the names of his wealth,
patrons In New York, making the excuse tina
they were accustomed 10 deal In steady stock
and they did not desire II 10 be known tha
they went into any wildcat speculation O.
bought claims. He said that they had nego
tiatcd the Alabama claims, and that the lcas
wealthy Of them owned a snug little $4,000,
00. lohnson's friends think that the Nev
York firm Is q myth.
In order To perfect the sale It was necessar,
to 10 great deal Of writing, as the PURCHASING
, parties, according to Wilburs representation.
desired certified copies Of all the claims. vii
burs room, st his boarding. house, No. 1402
street, was used as an office, and several clerk
+ were employed to do the copying and otho
urcessary work. Things worked along thi
way for some time, until last week johnson
becoming suspicious Of his broker asked fo
the original papers, and Wilbur refused to Civ
them up.
johnson aud his friends suspected tina
Wilbur intended to go away with the claim
and so procured the warrant and search wal
| rant on which Wilbur WINS arresfad and th