Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-08-14
The Charges Of Forgery Against
MesSrN ReuXh and lir0w

Samuel A. Peugh and John A. Grow, two
well known lawyers, were before the Police
Court to-day charged with forging the name
of Caleb Tompkins of the state of Georgia, a
cotton claimant, and client OF defendants to
two drafts on the L. g. Treasury, both
amounting 10 ~ Sc, with intent to defraud
the government The case has been post
poned several times the defendants being
under bonds of 1000 each The offence is
alleged to have been committed on or about
the 10th OF October, 1876, and the money OBJ
tanned about that time.
Mr.. Caleb Tompkins. an elderly and feeble
looking man was in court in company with
Mrs lockwood, who is looking after his
interests.
Mr. A B. williams and Mr.. Pelham, rep
resentiDg Mr.. Grow, stated that they did not
desire an extended preliminary hearing, and
would waive an examination aud go 10 the
higher court. The court required the bond OF
50 go TO he renewed, and Messrs Thomas
Wilson and l.. q. Hine went upon his bonds
for appearance.
to produce the drafts In question, he an
sweret that lac did not have the drafts in
possession nor cid he know where thew were.
The case OF Mr.. Peugh was proceeded with q,
he entering, through his counsel, Col. Brown
and Gen. CrijtendeD, plea of not guilty.
Mr.. James Gilfilan, Treasurer OF the United
States. testified that he knew u requisiIiou
came to the TreaSury-a requstion for the
claim Of Caleb TOmpkins from the South
eTn Claims COmmiss1On-and a warrant was
issued. Witness produced the warrant on
which two drafts, for II ,0G7 Is and s33J7l q,
were issued. and they appear to have been
r6ceipted for by =. y. Peugh. attorney in
fact Witness had seen the drafts sine,
some question having been raised as TO he
endorsements, and they were delivered to
MFR. CresSwell on paying the face of them
Witness Identified the photographs Of The
drafts. Had a conversation with Mr. Peugh
in which he disclaimed any connection with
the irreguIaTity. On cross examination
Mr. Gilfillan said that he did not order this
Theophlus French, in charge OF the divi-
sion of accounts, TreaSIrer's office, identi-
fed The warrant, as also the copies OF the
drafts. The small draft was paid Dece!n Der
9Th, and the larger one January nth. Mr..
PcUgh had called ON him and said that he
81 was falsifier.
J.. +. Walker, photographer of the Treas
ury department, identified the photographic
copies he had made of the drafts which were
seii To him by the Treasurer.
w. NJ. Roach, cashier Citizens y RATIONAL
Bank. testified that the two drafts were de-
posted In his bank to he credit OF Mr.. Grow
and they were paid by the Treasury. The
bank received letter from TIE department
stating that the bank hal been paid o. a
forged endorsement. Witness went to see
Mr. Grow. showed him the letter. and the
bank t"rd cred the mUaey 10 toe government,
WleE the drafts were returned. Wihess iden-
titled the signature OF :. \. Peugh. A letter
was read rom Mr.. Peugh 10 Mr. TomgatnS,
dated November LIST, stating that be mad,
after five or six years, succeeded I'm having
the claim allowed, and had received the two
drafts; enclosing power of attorney 10 b.
exc Cuted TO enable him 10 endCTs the smaller
draft. on the return of which power of attor-
ney he world forward the larger draft. An.
other letter was read OF December 5Jh. stating
that he had endorsed the smaller draft to
John y. Grow.
The defence asked to put In here two other
letters OF Mr.. Peugh, one lated November
18th and the other November 9th, calling
attention To the former letter asking for the
power of attorney, and urging action.
Caleb TOmpEins, the claimant and client,
a ri
Georgia; that he had a claim for cotton in
which Mr.. Peugh was his attorney; he re-
membered having received the letter read by
the prosecuting attorney, but not the others
He had never received any draft from his
attorney; never had endorsed a4y nor given
any power of attorney for any one To- receive
money on his account from the government
and had received none for himself.
Mr.. Crittenden read a letter from Grow to
TOmpBiIS, under date of December 9Th. in
which the former asks him to send power
of attorney in order to get his draft. and
stating TO him that there has been a man 10
see him Grow To attach his draft. but that
he would keep 1t safe; intimat'ng that II he
failed 10 send the power of attorney he
Grow feared he would get into some trouble.
Witness had no recollection of authorizing
Mr.. Peugh 10 get his money from the Treas
ury department. Does Eot recOllect having
written TO Mr.. Peugh to this effect at any
time. Witness is - years old now. AMI his
memory is somewhat impaired.
Here counsel put several questions to the
witness to test his memory.
Mrs. BelVa Lockwood was called, aud teS-
tilted that She knew Mr.. Grow. Hal hal
conversation twice with Mr.. Grow about this
case. Here She was about to relate IL, when
counsel for MIR Peugh objected TO tins testi-
mOny, and the court sustained The objection.
Mr.. Miller here read le Ter from Mr.. Pugh
to Mr.. TOmpkinS, dated Washington, De-
cenber q 1s1C, in which he states as follows:
my attention has just been called TO n
communication OF "A person who 8 gins her
name as Miss Emily Baker. who pre;eniS 10
no q N nj oil q sod
ney General, the War department aad
Treasury, of an UNANIMOUSLY liOelOus nature.
This is one of the few instances in my eXpe-
Tience where the most faithful service has
been rendered under the most diSagreaable
circumstances, in which base effort has
been resOTted to; first cheat me out of fee and
then falling i'll This, 10 impute crime To ma,
but your own acts AID letters, in my ha bEs
and in The Treasury, convict you OF your
falsehOods. j now admOnish both of YOU, If
any more such communications be received
at the departments of like nature, will
lay them before the grand jury of the city for
Indictment and prosecution 10 the utmost
extent ofthe law for libel. BeiOare in time or
you may be called here under circumstances
very disagreeable TO YOU"
Mr.. Brown here made motion to dismiss
the case against Peugh, and proceeded TO
make an argument in support of the mo-
ton.
TIE Court declined to grant the motion.
John y. Rawlings was called for defence
and after examining the photographs of the
tIdl's sdIu LIE saw Tue DIleilldlS IN the na10S
of Mr.. Peugh, who asked If he knew wh are
he could find a purchaser for the smaller
dTaft: witness mentioned the fact To Mr..
Peugh, and brought about n meeting; saw
the drafts on Mr.. Crows table The drafts
were not then endorsed.
The Court said that the government had
established the fact that Mr.. Peugh had act
Ell as the attorney in the case. and after re-
viewing the testimony remarked that Mr..
Peugh was the last legal custodian of the
drafts, and the onus of issuing them was
upon him. He therefore felt constrained to
hold Mr.. Peugh for the action OF the grand
jury.