New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-01-10
EIRREy COUNTY ElyG FoBEEEIES.
HOW THE STEALING WAS DONE.
TIE STORY TOLD BY JOHN v. DIANE OF The
WITNESS eTASD-pELIBFEATELY PLANNLD AND


WITNESS sTtSD-uELIBfEA1ELY PLAN%LD AND
CpoLLY FXTCUTID SCHEME OF PLUNDrR.
Hy 1rLroRArI To rTE rcrBrssi
BELvIpEkE. y. j., Jan. 9.-Thc proceedings
in court today were unusually Interesting. NJ By
ton the assistant prosecutor made the opening speech
which he stated that he defendants in The Gaze were;
SIMON A Cummings. formerly County Collector
Charles >tradcr, director ~ the Old Board OF Free
holders; john y. Owens. ~ time counsel for rhe
Board. and Edward In gin. Two other persons, he
SAID, mad bsen indicted Win these defendants;
but one OF tbeu-Dr. Nattison-wls IN prison. aud
the other-J1Lu ". pel1-wls to appear IN
t'e trial ~ a witness for tie state. The
CRIME charged q conspiracy 70 cheat Warren County
ou, OF @54I- b. Madison, who was the Chief clerk
o. the Board oi Treel"lrr-, aud the custodian N all
the official papers of county formed the plan OF rob-
berry and induced the o-Jcr couspraor 10 AID HIN. He
first the cooperation 4 Dean, who chairman
of the Finance Committee OF the Board man named
Maxwell had received payment for note tor $1,000
against the county. and tli- note, among Others fell
into the hands OF Dr Madison. An agreement was
made ly the cousVlutors early in November l-77, 70
alter the note n paris aud have il paid second
time Dr. Madison aud Dean made the alterations IN
the note. and the county collector paid j. second tune
Warren House at this place IN the presence % all
The conspratofs except Dr. Madison. who was IN New
York
Dean was then called 90 the witness stand The com
Sci for the defence iutcrposed several objections 20 his
being allowed 10 testify, which tie Court oTeIrucd
They then demanded to,e the note which was alleged
had been paid twice. Mr. ByIEgton turned on them
sharply and said: That is the possession OF tho
defendants Imove that order be given by the Court
20 have II produced" judge Bea-lev granted the order
.; once and when thc council 0r the defence said they
could not produce the hc ordered the testimony to
proceed without; further interruptions The story told
by the witness produced a profound sensation IL the
court room. Dean i Of middle age. but the alb
NM Mort thar
he - He has a handsome face; hi I'll. broad forehead
ana large brown eyes. which have somewhat melan-
cAoIv expression His appearance marks him a. man
" superior intellect aud culture. That he was well odu
ca ed was apparent from his choice Of words and his
ability To present facts clear and connected
His voice Is also peculiarly meIodOus, and he knows
how 10 use best advantage de described his
interviews with Dr. Natuscn. end the plan which was
agreed 10 reference to HE note which had been re-
&c we'd from Maxwell lie undertook the task Of chang
Ing the note, but unable to make the necessary
era,uTe, and he gave back Dr. Nattison when the
two were IN New-YOrk together. Both were dealing in
stocks IN Wast at that time. and they frequently met
in pursuance u business ON November - ne received
The note from Madison again The dates had been
change. and Maxweus signature III the Endorsement
had been altered 20 that II read Mitchell d. MATT
coDsurlor. He came to Beiyid~ie the next day while
Or. MdttrOu remained IN N""-Iork on me evening
Of rs ami al , Bfi e Dean 5 NE YIN %
~ IN, -. i..t. TO- t6e- ~ room Ip.-f A.ro..
the hall from ais room u what & commonly called the
"JuGg.'- Room" the County Collector Cummings, was
III I.rc d an sand hr dreg IL, note l-1m hl- pocket
VIII. the remark Gentlemen have brought the note,
which would Ike 10 have paid tonight lie d. Or
consIratol- looked at the uJf., and Owens suggested
tg1t II be no Cummings Bu.-n took the note
across the hal and remained several minutes ID con-
ycrdtlyu win tie County Collector Then Gwen, went
- zee what was the cause OF the deav and returned
with tLc assurance that 10 Was a right. -oua Bus'u
and Cunmn-s entered, aut the latter said De was pre-
payment could pe made Z county bonds, which
Ire lad been authorized 20 issue :Jr the
building Of the nov Court House. II Wa, neces-