The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-18
THE JUGGERNAUT OF JUSTICE.


J.) RING CRUSHED BENEATH ITS WHEELS
FoRGERY-THE Ex-sTEwARD OF THE POOR
HOUSE ACQUITTED
BELvIDERE. N j.. Jan. II, 1870.
The case Of Samuel Frome. ex-steward of the War
rem County Poorhouse. was continued this morning
and to the surprise of every one. the prosecution
gave up the case. The Court had been convened for
little tine and the constables. with their ten
foot poles. were vainly endeavoring to preserve
ORDER when Colonel Robson. of counsel for
Frome, rose and proceeded to call a wit
ness for the defence. Before he could do
the Attorney General addressed the Court and said
that the prosecution did not desire to press convic
ton against the defendant. All proceedings were
consequently stopped. The Court charged strongly
for the prisoner and the jury. without leaving the
box. and amid some little applause. rendered YER
dict Of not guilty Mr. Prone was then discharged
from custody.
Ex-coLLEcToR TEEL TO THE
There was some curiosity evnced as to what case
Prosecutor Harris would next move. and when it be-
came known that it would be that of Edmund Teel
ex-collector. indictment charging him with
forgery and uttering. all the interest of yester-
day revived, and in a few moments the
court and balconies crowded again
to suffocation Edmund Teel was County Collector in
1874, 1875 and 1876 In the latter year, says the in
dictment, John Fine, of Greenwich township, re-
paired bridge in that township, the bill for which
So. He presented the bill to the mem Der of the
Board of Freeholders having the matter in charge
Jacob J. Stone. Mr.. Stone certified it as correct
and after carrying it around in his pocket for three
weeks or a month, Mr.. Fine while in Phillipsburg
one day, presented the voucher to Mr.. Teel and
paid the 49, The bill subsequently altered to $685.
The alterations, alleged. were in the handwrit
bill $780, of the figures being evidently put
there after the original bill was made ont On the
back of the voucher the Endorsement John Fine
bridge order $780, in the handwriting. it was averred
of the ex-collector.
Freebooter Jacob j. Stone testified to the facts
related in the indictment.
John Fine that he had presented the bill for
SO and had received only that amount. The counsel
for the defendant tried to break down the evidence
of Mr.. Stone, going far to endeavor to
pei him to acknowledge that he himself had altered
Mr. Ludwig, teller of the Phillipsburg National
Bank, identified the handwriting the back of the
order as that OF Mr. Teel as did also Mr.. Bears an
expert
John " Mattison. ex-Clerk of the Board, and John
w. Dean, who have turned States evidence, testified
to the passing of the voucher by the Finance Com
mittee after it had been raised
THE Defence.
David Mexell, attorney at law. of Phlpsburg. and
stepson of Mr. Teel testified for the defence that the
figure 3 on the face OF the order was not the writ
Samuel Teel brother of the defendant. swore to
the same thing and then the defence to provo good
character. put on the stand Mr. Benjamin I. Harris,
ipsbur w Before his testimony could be taken,
however. the prosecuting attorney the part Of the
State admitted previous good character. Edmund
Tee the defendant, then went on. the stand, and ad
mtted the backing of the order to be his writing.
but not the additional figure 3' the face of the
order. He further that he had paid Fine S33.
Judge Shipman summed up for the defendant and
Attorney General Stockton for the State. The Chief
Justice charged briefly and at four o'clock the jury
retired. At O'Clock they returned with ver-
dict of guilty
YET ANOTHER.
While the jury out celebrating the of
exFreeholder Jacob j. Stone, who is indicted with
Jesse f. Carhart for conspiracy, called. The in
dictment states that in May 1877 Jacob j. Stone
titled bill for $45 95 in favor of Smith Clark of New
Milford, for coping stone for small bridge Stone
turned the bill to Jesse Carhart who paid 1t to
builder of Phillipsburg part payment of private
debt Carhart was a Freebooter at the time. The
stone put in the bridge consequently never
furnished by Clark
Smith Clark swore positively that he had never fur
nished the stone, rendered bill and
signed the check purportng to have been signed by
him. he swore to the bill it appeared on its
face.
Isaac Laubeck freebooter. testified that Stone told
him that he often sent bills by mail he admitted
the signature
George H. Harness testified that he had received
the check from Jesse F. Carhart. Ex-Coector Cum
minis testified that he had paid the note. Jacob J.
Stone testified in his own behalf, making general
denial.
When the Court adjourned at six o'clock this
was still on.
On Monday the largest yet presented will be
tried. 1t is known as the "Poorhouse Conspiracy"
and comprises, alleged, single steal of $4,000