The New York herald., 1879-12-31
$6,OOO,OOO LOST IN SPECULATION.

A MILLIONAIRE DEBTOR IN LUDLOW STREET
JAIL-IMpR1soNED AT THE SUIT OF HIS
LAWYERS.
In 1873 Augustine r. Mcdonald relative of Sir
Roger Mcdonald, employed Charles f. Hovey and
others to prosecute claim for him then pending bc
fore the Court OF Alabama Claims at Washington.
This claim amounting in the aggregate to s200.000
was duly allowed, but the defendant refused, as is
alleged, to pay them for their services. Suit was
brought to the value Of these services. An
order Of arrest obtained against the defendant
and the latter has ever since been langushing in
jail Mcdonald has made several attempts to obtain
his release but thus far his efforts have been unava
Ing The latest effort in this respect resulted in
other defeat yesterday before Judge Speir in the
Superior Court. The matter was brought before the
Court on the petition Of the defendant to be dis
charged from Imprisonment. The reasons upon
which he bases his application arc somewhat pecu-
liar. to say tho least.
THE PETITION.
In his petiton Mcdonald states that he 10 impris-
oned upon judgment frauduisnty obtained In the
District of Columbia by parties who have deter
mined to prosecute aud ruin him by any ana every
means within their power. even to the attempt to
kidnap him aud carry him away to the wilds of
Arkansas, where they intended to assassinatc him;
that they have used effort to effect their purpose
feels in mind and body that the torture Of fear
and confinement in prison will soon drive him into
insanity. He states further that his enemies
have in his prison and confinement still pursued
aud threatened him with false indictments of
sons unknown to him out in Arkansas, aud declare
their intention to accomplish his utter ruin. aud
have even sent people to him in jail to threaten
him; that by reason OF his wrongful imprisonment
his health Is much affected, and he IL conscious
| OF slowly but surely losing his mind and memory.
He says he can't sleep nights and what rest hc does
state as he may obtain during the day.
lie states further that no has constant
whisa ~ uolerabe. AID ossen causes him to walk
for hours In the cold. raw wind with view of get
ting somo relief. but frequently without avail Nc
| Donald adds that his physician has informed him
that no Is threatened with softoning OF tho brain.
and he has even been compelled to abstain from the
use coffee tea because his eyes had been affected
| by his confinement He says he is without property
to pay the judgment obtained against him, and is
actually dependent upon the kindness OF o relative
| for his support. lie concludes by Offering general
assignment 70 tho plaintiffs. but solomny declares
that further prolongation OF his imprisonment
| will cause him TO become insane.
| ArFIpAvrTs IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION.
| ACCOMPANY ing the petition are number OF aai-
! defendants petition. First among these is tho
afidavit OF DR.. Thomas \. O'Bricn, who says he is
| the physician OF the County Jail, and such has
| been attending Mcdonald. He states the latter's
condition being extremely dangerous; that he ~
suffering from mental depression. cerebral irritation
and loss OF memory nearly border ny "dementia
incipiens;" that his body Is slowly wasting away,
and unless he be immediately released his sanity
cannot be preserved. Mcdonald also makes an aff-
davit setting forth substantially the same facts
are contained in HIS petition. These are followed
by afidavits made by Henry W. Harper. of Berlons-
! vile, Pa; +. Alexander Wyman and Louis Lam
germ. In which they also state McDonalds condition
| to be precarious.
THE OTHER sIDE
In opposition to this peculiar statement of affairs,
Douglas Campbell, the Attorney for the plaintiffs,
states that several motions previously made to dis
charge the prisoner have been unavailing and thon
| goes TO say that In tho May following. he ex-
unined DIR. Charles kunster before referee for tho
| purpose of applying for ali attachment against the
| defendants property. Upon this examination the
witness stated that he treated aud cured Mcdonald