The New York herald., 1878-03-06
GENERAL SESSIONS-PART 1.
Before Recorder Hackett
A HARpENEp orFENpE,


Catherine Smith, alias Carrie Reese fifty yeigt years
OF age - puny gray haired with piercing eyes,
and who has passed most OF her days within the walls
OF prison, was arraignsd tor trial yesterday the
charge Of grand larceny. Her history criminal
IS somewhat remarkable, having while engaged as
domestic In many houses made clean sweep Of sill
verware and vauables after she ingratiated
herself in the good opinions Of her employers. Some
years ago whilo hired At Metuchin, N she carried
OF about 81 sou worth Of property, search for her
proving unavailing until she was recognized in
fenced her State Prison tor five years for simi-
lar offence, there being several indictments
against her. After her release she was hired
been previously employed BY Mrs. Gray. After some
ses vice with Mrs. Earle she carried of bonds and
1ewelry amounting IN value to IS 600, and all
were lost of her until she turned up in the Albany
to this city be tried The prisoner denied her guilt,
and alleged she had spent several terms for crimes
swsVs years junior and she urher avsrrea that
the properly OF Mrs Earle had been stolen by him.
ns Jury cSsa .ss ,ns Ss Sno a.
a case in which no clemency could be extended the
accused beng OF the most hardened and persis-
tent criminals that came before him. Under the
circumstances he would infct the full penalty oil the
law-hve years In the Penitentary.
ga MAN OF INFLUENCE"
George W. Matsell was yesterday called to the bar
for trial charged with receiving goods under false pre-
tences II Is claimed that Matsell is quite enter
prsing individual, having figured In various roles
an extractor OF money On OCCASION It alleged,
he represented himself the OF superintendent
Matsel and, In consequence, when he presented him.
self some ago at the Fourth precinct station he
was courteously treated by Captain Williams He
ai.erwara played the role OF newspaper reporter
nouncine that ne was friendly with the judges
amt that on the receipt OF small sums OF
money from the friends Of accused parties he could
procure their release Ho procured paper at one
time which he said entitled prisoner in the Tombs
to be discharged, alleging that the document had been
signed by Judge Lawrence. He was arrested by De-
tectives O'Connor and Fields, OF the District Att0r-
ney's Office, and was sentenced to serve a term IN
prison. On his release II Is alleged that he repre-
sented himself to be tho doctor OF Auburn Prison,
and, visiting several OF tho prisoners friends inti
mated that he could procure their release for con.
sidoration. When called to the bar yesterday the
prisoner pleaded not guilty and the trial was sct down
Tor this morning.
ALLEGED EMBEzZLEMENT.
David Coyne was arraigued the charge OF en-
bezzlsment and grand larceny. The counsel for the
accused Mr.. John o. Mott contended that the prose
cution should elect whether the should be tried
On the second count as they
charges-tbe first being whore the party agent
servant received the property and the other where
was feoniousiy taken. The charge OF grand larce
was selected. 1t claimed by the pros
to the 10 pay some bills and that the
appropriated it, while the defence interposed was
that the prisoner became intoxicated and lost tho
The Jury took merciiul view Of tho case aud acqui
ted tho prisoner who left the court rejoicing
sALTING THE TRACKS
John McGin who was indicted at the instance Of
the Society for tho Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals
having as alleged February saltcd the track Of the
BIeecker street Railroad Company, was yesterday
acquitted OF the charge.