The New York herald., 1879-12-18

WHAT FOLLOWED THE FAILURE OF BUTLER
NAYS CLEVER SCHEME HIS Capture AT
THE CAPITAL
Robert May. alias James Townley. arraigned
yesterday morning in the jefferson Market Police
Court to answer the complaint of forgery made by
Sydney Jones-Colford on behalf OF his mother, Mrs.
Catharine NJ. Jones. of No. 707 Fifth avenue. May
is tall, weil-built young man. coolheaded and
seemingly adapted for carrying out successfully
just such plan as he engaged in. The circum-
stances OF the in the light Of additional afi-
dayits were trhe altered. May went to the house
of Mr.. Richard Butler. of No. so Park avenue to as
sumo the functions which had been discharged
by named Ellis. This Ellis had been
known during his term of service as James
Townley. and leaving Mr.. Buffers employ
out that name. When subsequently May
discharged he obtained this recommendation
from Ellis. aud presenting it to Mrs. Jones the
Townley referred to. he was engaged by her. His
relations with the other were all the more intimate
thereafter that account and between the pair the
scheme Of forgery concocted. From Mrs. Jones'
check book May succeeded in tearing blank
day in November. which was subsequently filed out
for the sum OF $1,670 Then Ellis went to the Dis
trict Telegraph office ut No. LOOP Sixth avenue where
George Killian. the superintendent. expressed his
surprise that Mrs. Jones should send for q messen-
ger while she had instrument In her own house
communicating wit the office. Ellis explained this
by saving that she had rupp tor boz sever times
but the Instrument seemed to be OF Killian,
satisfied by this, sent lad named John c. Dunn to the
house. who was met there by May. The latter gave
him the check and wallet similar To Mrs. Jones',
telling him to bring $l,5OO notes of 800
each and the remainder in dollar bills Young
Dunn, feeling that this commission lmpor-
tant one. returned to the telegraph office report
it, and tho manager. believing that larger boy
would run less RISK in carrying snch sum sent an,
and the boy took it to No. 707 Fifth avenue Meantime
May had been on the watch for the boy Dunn. aud
never tancying the stranger was substitute allowed
another servant to open the door for him. The
wallet and memorandum he handed in conse-
Quently carried directly to Mrs. Jones herself, who,
her sons return home at evening. discovered the
deception that had been practised. May was gone.
however. His messengers non-appearance had led
him to believe the bank people had discovered the
frauduency Of the check and trouble iinpend-
ing. From this city he was traced to Washington
by Detectives Golden and Dusenbury.
"FIDEs" ENrRAPpED
There the scent was lost for time. but an ingen-
ious device Of Golden's brought the quest to .
successful issue more speedily than had been antci-
pated. In the Washington R<pubiicdn an advertise
ment ror tootman was inserted. nut although .
them to indicate that May of the appli-
cants. Then butler was advertised for. and to tns.
among others, came letter signed '.fides It WAS
written fine note paper with the monogram
"L +. B." stamped on it, The peculiar signature
drew the detectives attention to this and remem-
bering that May had served in Mr.. Buffers house
they sent word to Superintendent Walling to in
quire ii the initials belonged to any men,
Der of that gentleman's family. Then Golden
secured some government paper from = New York
Congressman. which he communicated with
''Fides,' making an appointment in the House Of
Representatives. Before It came to hand, however.
inform alton reached him that IL. +. b." the
letters OF Mrs. Buffers name. Their suspicious thus
confirmed the detectives posted themselves at the
Republican Office and arrested "Fides' when he
for an answer. The prisoner could not conceal his
chagrin, and admitted he Robert May.
he said that Ellis had hed with him
to the national capital and living some-
where there with his family As the evidence
against him imperfect, however, the detectives
came to this city without him to learn that an
additional charge OF larceny awaiting their pris
oner. The atidavits allege that November % he
stole number of silver spoons and forks. valued at
$50. He acknowledged this. and said he pawned
them ut No. 1914 Eighth avenue. receiving tor them
the of SIS. When produced in court yesterday
Dunn. the District Telegraph messenger. identified
him aud Justice Bixby committed him for trial III
$25OO bail the charge or forgery aud 81 500 on
that, ~ lar