The New York herald., 1877-02-08
MAX WELLS DEFENCE.


THE ACCUSED BROKER TELLS ALL HE KNOWS
ABOUT THE GREAT FoEGxRy-IMPoRrANr
LESSONS TO BROKERS.
What part George l.. Maxwell played in the famous
se4 600 forgery again the subject Of judicial In
quiry the Tombs Police Court yesterday. The usual
array OF counsel occupied their accustomed seats and
large number Of people stood around attentive watch
crs.
Tao proceedings opened by . request from Judge
Duly that counsel would be expeditions, as much time
had already been spent the case. and Immediately
ai.erward Edward X. Abertus wasput Ahe stand TO
testify 10 tho character defendant. Mr. Abcrus
deposed that no had known Maxwell for-many years,
and had always regarded him upright and honor
able man.
MAXWELL rIILs STORY.
The defendant was then called to the witnoss stand
in his behalf ana occupied tho remainder OF the
session IN rccng what he know about the check. He
began by sayng that he iorty-four years Of age
and broker by OCCUPATION; was not acquainted with
either George W. Chadwick or L. A. Brown, but knew
Horace Il. Brown; was introduced to the latter last
fall: Brown was ut that time general manager OF tho
Nontauk Soap Works, ut No So John street, Brookyn
witness wus agent Tor concern Wilmington, n. G.,
engaged IN the manufacture OF wood OIL and wishing
make experiments 10 ascertain II said oil could be
used manufacturing soap sought the cooperation
relation TO tho experiment IN question were here re-
lated and witness continrcd:-
Some time about the 23d OF December met Brown
down town, and he stated TO that large instiu-
ton was going to do considerable business ON the
street, aud nc had friend in II; he said he thought he
could get the business for me, and he thought tho
comm ssions should be divided asked what institu.
ton was referred to, and he answered oy remark'ng
that would let know at the proper time:
agreed TO undertake tho business iew days after.
ward met Blown again, and no SAID that the instu
ton insurance company aud thnt would W
put into direct communication with II on the Isl OF
January; subsequently, and prior TO the lst OF Janu-
ary, Brown told me that the institution referred u
was the Now York Liio Insurance Company
MYSTERIOUS MEssEXGER.
The next heard ~ relation to the business was on
signed, anu which, so Tar as know, was signed by
William h. Beers, President OF the company. II read
as ioliows:-
L. MAxwxIL7Bsing desirous to change our broker we
sale Of gold government aud other investment sec
Pissso quote gold. say $4,000 and $4,000
Tho letter was handed mo In my Office by low
sized carrying portlono; supposed he was the
answer, quoting gold at l07. and stating my com.
mission l-l6 Vi per cent, and gave 10 the mes
senser tins was at noon about Two O'clock tue same
another note on tho printed letter head OF
the New York Life insurance Company, hand
$4,000 oi gold; I have lost this letter; The
signature was not that Mr. Beers but of some other
letter contained the check for s64 2a5 which corre
sponded in amount with the sum had stated In my
memorandum as OF 500, 900 gold and the COM
MISSION; soon aterward Brown entered my office. ana
] said 10 MIN, II have check here from the New
York Lite Insurance Company anc an order TO buy
$50 600 gold, aud am gong to get 1t certified lcore
purchase; Brown replied, ~ think that Is the wsest
thing ou said'
uow THE CHECK WAS CERTIFIED.
The witness then continued his history Of the trans
action detail by which It appears that he personally
ton He handed It to the teller ut the window. who
said ''Do you wish 1t certned!" Maxwell answered,
Ycs" and no further words passed The teller called
looked %%% .it'N 1T over ~ and handed il to ano.her
who stamped Il; the check was then handed back TO
the teller, wrote nit and handed It to Maxwell;
the affair occupied ten minutes; witness did not know
my Of tho persons behind the railing; Maxwell tnon
10 tho paying teller, who, aiior examination, wrote
upon 1t tho word 'soodi' Maxwell next re-
O'Clock, concluded not to purchase the gold until
tho next morning. Ho deposited the check with
$50, ,06O gola The next morning, January 3 Maxwell
was detained In tho Supreme Court, Chambers, in y
matter OF litigation 10 which ms Cro'ner was party
that Richards 4 Cohen had, through misunderstand:
ing, purchased only $4,000, gold Witness told .L
Whittcmore. Bloods clerk, to pay for this $50.000
saying that no would order tho remaining $4,000
MAXWELL EXERCISES CAUTION
Tho same messenger with tue samo portfolio arrived
at this time and handed Maxwell order signed by
some officer OF the New York Lie Insurance Company
to deliver the gold to bearer. Maxwell told the mes
senger that It would be necessary for him TO get the
signature OF the president und the man LETT Soon
afterward he returned with the following order-
JANUARY 8. 1877
e. L. MAxwELL-Pesss deliver to bearer Mr. Oakley the
S6OOO gold purchased lor account OF this company Re-
spcctfuily W. II. BEERS.
Maxwell then placed In envelope five gold certin-
Gates Tor SO 600 EACH und handed tho same to the
messenger with O note explaining that tue broker
had made an error In purchasing only $5O, 900, and
promising send the balance up soon as possible.
he messenger put the envelope mis- portfolio aud Lett
subsequently Brown came into tho office OF MAXWELL
and learning tho still So 600 short asked
him to purcnaso from him. Brown part Of the needed
amount gold certificate for $780, which Maxwell did.
DISCOVERY OF THE FORGERY.
The next day the messenger with his portfolio called
for the balance aud Maxwell paid 1t over AL Maxwell
made the transaction was his regular commission,
$37 So On the 10th OF January Maxwell FIRST heard
the check was a forgery MIR. Hays the President OF
the Union Bank aud OF tho trustees Of the Union
Trust Company, telling him. Maxwell went at opce
before the officers Of the latter company and told all
he knew about the check Ho hunted up Horace +.
Brown. who expressed astonishmcnt at tho informa
tiOn. .
The next hts arrest No warrant, the pris-
oncr stated had ever been shown him, and the only
cause for decnt,on fur as hc had bceu informed
was the statement by Judge Duffy that he should be
held TOR examn his name was mentioned
IN sundry afndavits tho subject Tho examination
was az this point adjourned until Friday morning.
Maxwels testimony WAS given In an easy ana lucio
manner and nearly all present were Impressed VILE
1 his innocence.