The sun., 1879-05-10
FAITH In THE GRAND JURY.
TAKING THE $50 NOTE BECAUSE THAT
BODY SAYS IT Is HIS.

BODY SAYS IT IS HIS.
an Auctioneer In Great Jones street-A
Free Ticket Home-Mr. Merritrs bond.
Lemuel Williams learned on Thursday
evening that the Grand Jury had not found an
indictment against Clifton j.. A. Merritt; but
the colored boy was not released from the
House OF Detention until yesterday noon. just
before o'clock he entered the building where
the General Sessions is held in the custody OF
Court Oflcer Riley. and accompanied by his
lawyer. Edmond T.. Price who volunteered to
defend him. He wore his new round-topped
black hat. his new black coat OF diagonal cloth.
and tho vest which cost him dollar In Montreal
seven years ago and on which he has expended
two dollars for repairs several times since.
The three went first to the room OF Clerk
Sparks. but Mr. Sparks said that the case APP
peared to be special one. and he thought
williams ought to bo taken before the Judge.
The party then entered the court room. and ad-
vanced at once to the rail in front OF the bench.
| Judge Cowing leaned with kindly expression
| over his desk and Mr.. Price told him who his
client was
The Grand Jury having dismissed the
| charges against Merritt" said the Judge.
there is no longer any use in OBTAINING you.
| You are discharged"
Williams made a slight bow In acknowledge
ment. and then fixed his eyes on his hat. which
he held in his hand. His lawyer said:
Your Honor. the defence have sworn that a
| certain $50 bill belongs to Williams. Susan
| Brown. one Of their witnesses. is positive 1t is
| his. He had $50 when he came TO New York.
and now he hasn't got a cent think he ought
well. Williams" said the Judge. this case
has given you n grent deal Of notoriety,"
dldnt want IT.. Nllllams replied. 80,
80 Is there any objection to his having this
| bill 2" asked the Judge Of Assistant District
Nobody else claims it,, said MIR. Lyons. II
| he says it's his. ! see no objections"
well. Williams. is 1t yours2" asked the
Every eye about the Judges desk was turned
| toward the colored boy TO watch him as he gave
The Grand Jury says it's mine" he said.
hands. and looking up into the Judges face (;
and so think 1t ought to be-"
The little party around Williams smiled ap-
prova! Of this cautious reply. as did the Judge
and Mr.. LYONS;
authority" the Judge said; and II you will 20
10 Mr. Sparks he will give you an order for il on
the Property Clerk 9t the Police Central once"
Office where an order for the $50 note was
made out and placed in his hand. He folded it
up neatly. and put It with. several other clean
and we'll folded papers in a black leather
pocketbook. Half an hour eiterw9rd he pre-
sented IL to Property Clerk st. John and re-
ceived the $50 note with the mark put on II by
Justice Otterbourg's clerk Still accom- panied
by Mr. Price he went TO Dunn's auction rooms
IN Great Jones street where at tho request OF
Mr.. Price the note was changed.
- / don't want any more trouble" he said.
Mr.. Dunn is a friend Of Mr. Price. and the bill
was changed at his place with the understanding
that II should be kept by him short time in
case opportunity might arise 10 disprove It's
identity with the bill given TO Williams by Pay
Mr.. Price said yesterday that there was one
way IN which II miRhtbe possible to set the ques,
ton Of identity at rest forever. but that he did
trouble II would involve. now that Williams wes
free and the money he had lost had been made
before the public and he was now inclined 10
advise h. IN to let the matter rest.
The change given TO Williams by MIR. Dunn
consisted Of nine t5 notes. four dollars in small
notes, and one dollar in silver. As soon Us he
got ii. he gave the nine .5 notes to MIR. Price.
with request that he should keep them for
him until this morning at IL o'clock. when he
with him again 10 court. While Mr. sparks was
drawing up the order for the $50 note. the lawyer
asked him whether compensation was not TO be
witnesses confined in the House oi Detention.
Mr.. Sparks said tha; he supposed that an allow
ance could be made. but tn Al he wanted first 20
, speak to Judge Cowing about It, He hurried
into the court room after he had filled out the
order. but the Judge had gone home. This
made It necessary that Williams should 10 TO
. court again this morning.
What are you going 70 do now TINT you re
, out OF the House OF Dctentonf' he was asked.
, I'm going 10 start TO Wilmington tomorrow
night TO see my mother. Il can get through the
night without any more trouble"
And after that what do you think OF doing p
, Il think shall come back 10 New York and
perhaps | shall 20 to work with genteman
down town who may want me; but don't give
myself much trouble about work, because
+ have Just got letter from Ensign Reich Of the
, | acquainted with me on the supply He tells
me that Just As soon as want anything TO do 70
, Being asked how he came to learn to write he
} said:
ton. and aiterward Mrs. COlvlle q lady in
whose house worked. also taught me reading
anI wrtns ~ nssn no Geeb m my VINE vac nc
q | little and slave II was agreed that ! should
never be sold. but only given away To- some
. about that was TO be free and / started out to
9 make man Of myself. and mean To do it,"
0 Later in the afternoon Williams inquired his
/ way to Pier l9, North RIVER. whore the steam
. ship Regulator Of the Wilmington. n G., line
/ is lying. Capt Done. who knows Williams
him to Wilmington without charge This oneI
. was accepted, The Regulator Will sa at
o'clock this afternoon. Last evening Williams
e went TO Brooklyn to stay during the night ut the
house Of friend, Mrs. Josephine Price LOG
Lemur Williams had hardly quilted the Court
Of General & Sessions building when Sillt2n Ton r.
gan ee entered % Mr Merritt SppcaTcd @i 10 " be IN
) high spirits. They went AT once Ia the office OF
Chief Clerk Sparks OF the Genera N, Sessions s., ms
. dismissal ~ the complaint against him
e Williams would have upon his bond
Tor the bond ended when the Grand jury dis.
missed the complaint. and that all that re-
maned TO be done in regard 10 II was 10 20
|, through the formally Of dlscharglng the bonds
man by vacating the bond. Mr., Merritt asked
, that this formality be observed. and Mr. Sparks
: complied
I Mr.. Merritt and Mr.. Flanagan then wen
away together.
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