New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-14

former detective who had been dismissed the ,po-
lice force and subsequently the service of Judge Hill
ton, who had retained him on the Stewart case. lie
negotiated with the lawyer, aud became reeog-
were not broken off, but continued in the hope
that the detectives would get some clew TO the ac-
tual robbers by watching their selected agent.
Subsequently, according to The Herald, negotia-
tons were opened directly with Mrs. Stewart
through firm of Wall-st. lawyers of such great
prominence and character that good faith could not
be doubted. A member of the firm laid the CORE.
spondeEce of tROmaine before her, and though she
asserted Der absolute confidence IN the assurances
OF Judge Hilton that the body had been recovered
and was at the Cathedral, the lady read them over
and required an explanation of Judge Hilton. He
satisfied her that the letters unworthy of
sideratiOn and she returned them to the lawyer as
such and immediate negotiations were broken Off
The Herald follows this story with an interview
with Judge Hilton which seems TO confirm it.
Judge Hilton was asked yesterday If 1t was correct
but he declined to say anything on the subject
THE HERALD's INTERVIEW WITH JUDGE HILTON.
Following is the interview with Judge Hilton in
fulli
It was after the incidents related above had
10 the knowledge OF The Herald that reporter caet
upon eXJudge Hilton and asked him whether the main
facts gwen were correct aud whether the source OF
information credible. The Judge, though appar-
entity astonished at fact this peculiar phase Of
the great criminal conspiracy had reached the press
THIS is not new to me- tits two months at least
since these matter came under my observation. we
have held numerous interviews In regard to this phase
of the robbery"
Then as If disposed to communicate fully all there
was In his possession pertaining this remarkable
story, Mr.. Hilton opened lofhand drawer OF hs desk
and produced package containing frOm twenty-five 10
% This is al In regard to what you telling me- OF
this is not hundredth part Of the letters
nave received from all sections OF the country on the
Stewart grave desecratIOn, but this special package OF
letters relates only TO the particular Phase otne subject
TO which You call my attention."
Then presume that here is good deal in the
story as treached The Herald r. asked the reporter
yes, but they are PACK OF rascals and scoundres,
sad he eXJudee. with emphasis. " Only | have my
eye on them now don't see why you should be so
anxious TO publish this matter. No issue mas been
reached, and none may be reached for some time TO
first to give the facts 70 the press. These have
boosted that intended to cheat the public and hold
bogus conservation Of the new church, and naye public
services at Che grave without body aud that then
WOULD be compelled to come to the City Hall here and
claim the Stewart remains from the Mayors office,
they threatened deposit them. The idea that
intend cheat the public Is simply ridiculous! con-
sess it, and tell Won furthe that knew these facts
IN the possession of The Herald In fact, have
known for seVerl days the where of your
porers first with of these men, and then visited
other places in Nassau-st. to get these particulars"
" understand that you have had detectives employed
in watching The movement, OF this hwyerP
No, not !, the officials at Police Headquarters have
Jhey have been looking after him ever SINCE, said Mr.
Hilton.
"Snce he first had an interview with superintendent
Wallmg and myself"
'But wuyl Is he not then reputable lawyer, and has
he not received retainer Of about $3.50 to act as the
robbers legal representative Z"
'That may Oe but who has seen the money" asked
Judge Hilton " have not. He may be their lawyer,
but 1t looks to remarkably strange That the original
correspondence is written the kind paper
the copies These letters never came from Canada nor
Montreal. They all written III this city Mind you
am telling YOU this not to prejudice your mind against
anybody but for the purpose OF letting look at the
situation from my Standpoint. Retainers VINO SAYS
this lawyer has received retaining fee He SAYS SO
himself, and makes for thus acquiring the
confidence robbers fact that they be old
one time ne was the head and hence that they have
more confidence in him than in ordinary lawyers"
But did he not also that tuey must be men who
have served In the Army, and hence conided in himF
suppose he has told tins IN some other Quarters In
in The Ne1 York Herald but not until he saw that was
Do you 10 say, then. that he is the lawyer
Of the robbeTsP
~ mean say Just this what have told you before
that they are all pack OF seoundrels and thieves
have told them distinctly that I'll not pay single cent
for my money. They are after the reward. They say
they have the body lay their hands on 1t again
they tell me that the only actual remains OF Mr. Stewart
in existence is the body which they can produce. Very
well; they right want 20 see II, and see 1t will
are speaking of came TO the talk the
matter and arrange the premnaries necessary to the
livery could safely be made without trapping the rob
bers, what means could be employed to protect these
men, aud what other ought 10 be taken to secure
safety all around told him very distinctly al the tne
you gentlemen ought to have decided upon proper
operandi in regard to this before you came to
me- This rather took HIM back"
"But why4 do you not believe that this gentleman
knows where the robbers and their booty arei"
ale does know all about the robbers. / am satisfied
as 10 tIat but these men are not in Montreal nor any
where IN Canada. They right here In New-YOrk,
and closing in upon them inst as fast as we cam
II Of for you gentlemen Of the press TO give
these details TO the public in the for there no
issue Nothing has been reached yet, but don't know
lust now when we may reach an issue. There
tainly connected with this outrage on whom can
lay my hands az any time as Partecps cTmtntS Ihey
know than they ought 10 knows ana as 10 the en-
gaging OF lawyer, that is all bosh."
But mas the lawyer not recovered the coffin plate
and other belongings OF the coffin y
We'll, how did he get them 1t surprise 10
hin whatever when he received them. He knew all
an Interview held this office explained 10 MIN
my views, he protested to be nsuited while the truth is
that distinctly told him that would prosecute any
man, matter who 1t might be, suspected Of having
the least connection with the robbers or their assoc
" Even lawyer Z" asked the reporter.
THAT remains to be proven whether he IS their legal
representative not inclined think that lie Is
not that he knows all about them, knows their haunts
meets them right here IN NewYork, and that this cor
respOndence, to which yOn attach so much importance,
is all made up Tor a purpose Judge milton mere
opened his drawer again and pulled out parcel OF
manuscript OF several pages and SAID! Here Is cory
Of that correspondence"
Aside from this, could sit down with you all day
ana relate to you the details OF TINS internal Riot
Frencly in the extreme as il is and constituting In II
self most extraordinary chapter OF CRIME and con-
spiracy such has been told. 1t stunned me az
first. but now keep my eyes on them well fixed, and
with forget now the immense sum they asked AZ
first. They have come down since 10 about
handed To gentleman III Wall-st for the purpose OF
innaeneng Mrs stewart now looR al the irePotteros
a certain page of the bulky manuscript aluson is
made to proposition in money which made to Dr. h,
provided the body handed over TO me IN good con-
dition. What do these men know, how can they know
of any proposition that | have made TO anybody {
Again. looking oyer the originals. envelopes aud all
/ am satisfied that the letters never came from Mon
treal. True, there may be Boston, pOstmaIks on
them, bus that does not prove anythng am SATISFIED
that both originals and copies we're made right here IN
New-YOTk." ,
"wben have you last seen this lawyer" asked the
reporter . -, , ,.,,
on, not for time not since March, believe.
This is matter Of couple Of months with menothing
new But am keeping sharp I3ok out, ana don't
airy measures. Which, cannot tell you. Ihat depends
upon circumstances But for no mans position