The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-21
BUSINESS MEN ON TRIAL.

AN oUTGRowTH OF ER1E's SUIT AGAINST SIG
MoND DRINGER-ALLEGED CONSPIRACY
AGAINST THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS JEwETT
ON THE STAND.
When Vice Chancellor Van vliet of New Jersey,
decided that Sigmond Dringer, of Paterson, not
guilty of the frauds imputed to him by the Erie Rail-
way authorities, and consequently refused to issue
the decree prayed for by the receiver Of the Erie
Company. Passaic county Grand Jury found
indictment against William Collier, Cornelius
c. Van Houten and William Hickling. charg-
ing them with entering into conspiracy to
ruin and impoverish Dringer. Cortlandt Parker, on
behalf of the Erie Railway, certified the to the
Supreme Court, which, however, refused to quash
the indictments, albeit the Court of Errors and APP.
peals had reversed the decision given by the Vice
Chancellor, and had ordered master in chancery to
take evidence to establish the amount Of which
Drirger alleged to have deirauded the Erie. The
indictment came to trial yesterday in the Passaic
County Circuit Court. Only Van Houten and Hck-
ling appeared, Collier having, it is said, gone to
Canada shortly after the finding OF the indictment.
At ten o'clock Judge Dixon, Of the Supreme Court,
took his seat Colonel A. B Woodruff Dringer's
counsel, and also District Attorney, appeared for
the State and Cortlandt X. Wayne Parker, attor-
neys of the Erie Railway and George Savage for tho
lowing gent]emen-principally business in
Paterson-was enipanelled -Isaac L. Schoonmaker,
L. ~. L.
vreeland, Halwsgh Van Houten, Albert A. Terhune
George G. Mason, Andrew II. Demarest, Helmas
Romano, Heller Wells, Albert Ramsey and John
Mercelis Prosecutor Woodruff opened the case
for the State, alleging that the accused, who
business men in the city of Paterson and envous of
the success of Mr. Dringer, by means of affdavits
made, the contents of which they well knew to be
false. had induced the receiver OF the Erie Railway
to take legal steps against Mr. Dringer, whereby an
injunction was laid on his immense business and by
which he impoverished and utterly ruined. In
order accomplish this object they had resorted to
diver n ia Overf act
of the conspiracy. The State would show that this
was all done in pursuance OF an understanding
among the accused.
DAMAGING AFF1pAvTTs.
The Prosecutor then produced the printed evil
dence and exhibits in the case between the receiver
OF the Erie Railway and Sigmond Dringer. forming
three immense volumes. which, together with the
pleadings III the case, were identified by the proper
clerks and stenographers of the Court Of Chancery
and then offered in evidence the part Of the State.
In support OF this offer Mr.. Woodruff stated that to
the bill of complaint filed were annexed certain
aidavts Of the accused. upon the facts alleged in
which the injunction on Mr.. Dringer's prop
erty had been granted. In tho testimony would
be found the evidence given before the Vice Chan
cellor by the accused where, upon cross-examina-
ton, it had been shown that they nothing of
legal sparrng as to the admissbity OF this evil
dence the Court ruled it competent and admitted it.
Mr.. Parker insisted having the pleadings and afh-
davits read. which was accordingly done. Freder-
lex Whitehead. State detective, testified that WILL
lam Collier, of the accused had offered him 900
to procure for him the of buying the scrap
iron Of the Erie Railway. which contract DrinPer
t.
witness had enough influence to accomplish it. An
agreement to that effect then drawn up and
signed by Collier, which agreement was offered in
evidence. Robert Bridge testified to the animus
which the accused had against Mr. Dringer. and to
seeing them in consultation together. James A.
King testified that in March. 1876 at the time of the
outbreak of the Drnger troubles, he was in the
ploy Of the Erie hallway detective William Col
lier came to him and wanted him to swear against
Dringer and because he refused to do he dis
charged from the employ OF the Erie through Col
lier's influence.
Receiver Jewett, Of the Erie. was noxt called. He
had been subpGnaed to bring with him all letters
received from the accused IN reference to the mat
ter but stated that lie had received none, had he
had any communication with any OF them. He
first became aware of the Dringer troubles by
chasing department Of the railway and then
made aware of the fact that Dringer
He next received visit from Mills Green, Drngers
clerk, and subsequently wrote to Green that IL
Dringer would make full statement of all his trans
actions with Erie officials he would do what he could
for him and see that the injunction dissolved.
Green promised to make such q statement for
Dringer as the latter could not WRITE and referred
TO 1t in letter to the witness as an unpleasant
task. The statement was made. but proved very
unsatisfactory. Despite strenuous cxertions on the
part Of the states attorney nothing prejudcial to
the interest OF the accused could be elected from the
witness.
The State then called number of witnesses. to
whom either one or other of the accused had, as
alleged. said that Dinger would go to state Prison
yet; that they would send him there or words to
that effect. Joseph Nussey, a prominent mach,ne
manufactures of Paterson, was the most important
| OF these. The Court then adjourned.
.DnIN0ERs STOCK.
The stock at present in Drnger's yard is valued
at Sl5O0OO, and 1t has been lying idle In CONSEQUENCE
OF the Injunction since March, 1876. Lately The at
| torneys for Erie made motion before the Chan
| cellor to sell It and pay the money into
Another motion to sell part of IL to
pay for expenses, two men being constantly en-
ployed to watch IL, has vet not been dec!d,i. A
foreclosure suit has been brought by Samuel pope
who holds mortgage $27,OOO on a lot of old
car wheels. which form part of Dringer's stock.
The Court of Errors and Appeals decided that all of
Dringer's property was tainted by fraud and that
ali oil IL must be sold TO satisfy the claims of the
Erie Railway, those claims taking the precede nce
even of mortgages. Mr.. Pope's case is. neverthe.
less, stu pending In chancery.