The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-08-19
STEWARDS STIFF

STEWARDS STIFF
In the Herald is printed a fve-col-
umn article, the point Of which is that
the body of A. 4. Stewcrt is not re-
covered, for the rerson that Judge
Hilton refused to pay quarter OF
mill on dol!a. for it. The story is
that a Nassau steet lawyer, whose
name is not given, received package
from Montreal, and with the same
mail came letter from Montreal sign
ell "Romaine." The lawyer was ask
ed in this letter whether he would take
charge of n"gotiations to obtain the
heavy reward, and more from Mrs
Stewart, for the return of Mr.. A. L.
Stewart's body, and that upon the pay
ment of $250,000 the remains OF the
dead merchant would be delivered,
In no case, however, ii stated, was
there the slightest possibility OF the
principals being made known; nor
should any effort be made to detect
them. AS an evidence Of good faith
small retainer of 500 was inclosed
in the letter, with the announcement
that if the recipient was willing to so
ahead he should insert certain per
sonal" in the Herald, and more money
would be forthcoming. Attention
was also called to the fact that n pack
age containing tangible evidence OF
tho body being in their possession had
ben forwarded.
The lawyer opened it, and behold!
there were the silver knobs and part
of the handle belonging to A. I.
Stewards coffin as had been described
in the letter. His answer by a per-
sonal in the Herald brought second
package by way of Boston containing
more knobs, more handles, and :he
plate. A second letter and second
retaining fee of tendent Walling,
leave with him the metal and inter,
view with Judge Hilton, was the law
yer's course.
But the Judge would not listen to
proposal that reward be given. He
want ed the thieves as well as the
body. They had several interviews,
and at length seem to have quarreledt
for the lawyer went near Hilton nc
more. Meantime he kept mp a con-
tinual intercourse with the thieves OF
custodians of the body. They con-
tinued firm in the determination not
to sell it for less. than $3.50, OOO
The lawyer then called detective to
his aid, and they opened negotiations
directly with Mrs. Stewart. That
lady at first intima.ed to them that
the body was in Judge Hilton'S pos.
session, but they produced letters and
documents, and the inference is that
her faith was shaken in Judge Hilton's
assurances to her that he had the re-
mains.
Nothing seems to have come Of the
negotiations, however. The body il
represented TO be in the mems possess.
ion and in an excellent state OF preser'
walton, SO good, indeed as to be yet
recognizable.
To clinch the truth of the story, the
Herald prints an interview with Judge
Hilton, from which the following art
extracts:
ale 1.-THE lawyer) does know all
about the robbers. lam satisfied al
to that. But these men are not il
Siontreal, nor anywhere in Canada
They are right here in New York
and VIC are closing in upon them jus
{ as fast as we can. 1t is ofno use 70
you gentlemen Of the press to civ
g these details to the pubic in the pa
pers, for there is no issue; nothing ha
, been reached yet, but we don't know
Just now when we may reach an issue
There are certainly men connects
!, with this outrage on whom can la
, my hands at any time as pdrticer
crimiais. They know more tina
they ought to know, and, as to tn
y engaging OF a lawyer, that is a
!. bosh."
!, "But has the lawyers not recovere
+ the coffin plate and the belongings t
/. the coffin?" .
swell, how did he get them?
h was no surprise to him whatev'
:, when he received them. lie know a
= about it, and, in fact, at one tin
3 when subsequently at an intervie
q held in this very Office / explained
4 him my views, he protested to be il
- suited, while the truth isl distinct
. told him that / would prosecute an
=, man. no matter who it might be, su
a pected of having the least connectio
9 with the robbers Of their associates.
Il Gwen a lawyer" asked the T
a porter.
al THAT remains to be proven whetl
If err he is their legal representative
w not. am inclined to think that he
q not; that he knows all about ther
y knows their haunts; meets them rig
ho here in New York, and that this &C
nj respondence to which you attach
IL much Importance is all made up fol
NJ purpose"
is Judge Hilton here opened his dra'
n err again and pulled out parcel
~. manuscript Of several pages, and So
"Herc is the copy Of that correspc
air dence."
"When have you last seen Il
,r lawyer" asked the reporter.
" "Oh, not for some time. Not sill
y March, i believe. This is matter
y a couple of months with me, nothi
mr. more, but / am keeping a sharp loo
,r out, and ! don't know but may
hv compelled to take some extraordini
- measures. When / connot tell yc
nv that depends upon circumstanc
be- But ! care for no mans position. I
M moment l find sufficient ground for
to 60 ahead / act"
To all inquiries Judge Hit
and Superintendent Walling have