New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-26
DARING FRAUD FRUSTRATED

CONSPIRACY TO ROB THE GOVERNMENT.
PLAN OF A LAWYER AND GAMBLER TO OBTAIN
$250,OO0 on ALTERED BoNDs-EX-DETECTiVE
NETTLEsIIP LEADS THEM on AND SECURES
THEIR ARREST
An attempt to defraud the Government OF
$25OOO0 by means OF altered United States registered
bonds has been defeated by c. Nettleshp, exdetectye
Of the United States Secret Service, who secured the ar
rest Of the operators his house. No SO fennsylvana-
ave-. Newark, Friday night. The Of these men
are Thomas r. Somervlc, wellknown New-Yorh Grim
inal lawyer, who connected in some way with the
Washington safe burglary, and George Enge expert
forger and keeper OF a New-York gambling saloon.
In November last Mr. Neteship received telegraphic
dispatch from Somerville TO meet him in New-York on
important business. Netteship met SOmerville, when
the latter informed him that friend of his had S5ooOO
in stolen United States registered bonds portion or
which were stolen from the Ocean National Bank OF
NewY0rk As these bonds could not be used until the
Of the original holders substituted by the
Of the holders Of other bonds SOmervie wanted
Nettleshp get clerk in the bond department OF
the Treasury to furnish the necessary numbers and
names Mr. Netteship promised to secure an accom-
pce in the Treasury Department aud on returning to
Newark consulted with his friends to what he should
do. Upon their advice he went to Washington and ad
the before Secretary Morrill, who advised him to
lead Somerye and his coniederaes and secure their
arrest Mr. Neteshp then returned home and appeared
several journeys to Washington for the pretended plr
pose Of efecung arrangements with confederate In the
treasury Department. Finally, after many delays, he
informed the conspratOrs that he ready TO begin OPP
eratons. 1t was decided to first convert $4,000 OF the
bonds into cash. the and numbers to be inserted
being furnished by Netleship. One was for $4,000,
aud the Perry Hensey inserted in the place
OF the one erased the OF Leonard Kean was used
upon bond for 70 900, and that Of j. Ogden snow was
substituted upon four bonds 81 900 each. These al
teraons having been made by George Engc Nettlesmp
took the bonds and get the cash for them in wash
ington During all this time Neteship acting under
the advice of Assistant United States DistctAtorney
John J. King of NewYork BY arrangement somervllle
delivered the forged bonds to Neeship at the aters
house Wednesday night last, at which time H. X Cur
It's and David dickinson OF the Secret Service DIVISION IN
New York with assistant and Constable Patrick o.
Smith of Newark secreed in the house for the pur
pose OF arresng the consprators upon signal from
Ncttleshp. The arrest however, was postponed until
Friday night Neitleshp representing that at that time
bc would return from Washington with the money. On
Thursday Nettleship had friend at Washington tcie-
ran Slneryille that the cash was obtained for the
bonds aud that Ncttlcshp would be nome on FRIDAY
night Another dispatch sent To SOmerylle from
Washington M about noon stating thai Ntttiesnp was
on his way AMI would arrive III Newark al p H.
All this time Nctteship was at ms house 90,
Early on FRIDAY evening Chiet brooks anu ouceTs
Curtis aud dickinson the Secret Service and Constable
Patrick C. Smith Of Newark were secreicd IN room adj
joining the arinr IN the noIc OF Mr Ne'teHi.ip. soon
daily gteeted by Mr.. Netcsiip who conducted them to
his ualor AfcT short conversation Nciurshlp tGOA
bunch OF KEYS Of ms POCKET, SAYING he would get me
money for theu A he passed out OF one door Ctct
ro and his assistants entered At another, aud before
hn.ryiIe and EuCcl could recover from their surprise
they were haudcucd. The cOnsplratOrs were unable 10
sa, a word for some seconds, but hnaliy roinerylic
asked to So Nrtle MP before lac was taken u jail n
Te.fp entered the room and said, You're Someryiile.
Sou came here induce 10 commit nigh CRIME ana
Won tuow you never knew me To do ANYTHING that should
lead f, 10 believe that would take part Ia tins rascal
IN You ha,e g.t yourself into trouble, and YOU
have only Yourself TO blame for H." Ire prls-
"uera wrr, taken before United States Commissioner
VIt.ohead VINO was waiting to receive them. They mad
uotiur 10 s. IN their defense SumCfYllIc was permit
Ted T.. write his wife letter and the cOnSpraurs were
taIcg d,rcrtv 10 the County jail, The warden beng III
std to pace urtn IN separate cells ana dO" no one
i,ut dion colsel 10 see hem. COmnlsSJner Whitehead
las NcI their bail 10000 cacn. and VIII give them
nm domination this week William Il. Gulld, j., q
uIomincnt criminal lawyer OF Newark has been engaged
ta defend them II was arranged between SOnciYiile
snd Netttshp that il the latter was successful ~ gchS
tn NANCY Tor the $40 900 worth OF bonds Oh FRIDAY,
y, snoud receive $4,000 more OF them to-day.
while il is true mat bet, Give Netiieslp played an mn
Cahjp uart III the Washington safe burglary case Is
also truc for two years past ne h;s D,en sftdJ
,rgcu man, living quiet and sober NE, ana il'hs
IN. coudd,ucr and -tCcuI Of all Who know nm.