The New York herald., 1879-03-26
Hubert 0. Thompson and Others Ar
raigned at Harlem Police Court.
MIR. GUMBLETON'S COMPLAINT.
Service Of The Warrants and Arguments Of
Counsel on Beth Sides.
THE PRISONERS PAROLED.

came known that Mr.. Thompson, Thomas Costigan,
supervisor of the city Record Edward A. Clarkson,
jani:or of the Court House. and William Cannon. q
watchman in the building. had been
arrested for their forcible entry iuto the Office.
For two or three days past Mr. Gumbleton and his
immediate friends have been III consultation with
Mr. William A. Beach. Edwin r. Meade and Peter
Mitchell. The mystery surrounding their delibera
tons led to the circulation Of reports that they
medtated some legal action. either to test Mr.
Thompsons occupancy of the soflice to the
arrest of Mr. Thompson on the ground that he had
violated the law in taking forcible possession. The
County Clerk has been in daily expectation of
arrest in consequence of these runors. and the neigh
borhood of his office and the corridors the City
Hall were yesterday thronged by anxious crowds
who eagerly devoured every flying rumor. 1t
generally believed that u warrant would be served
yesterday. although Justice Duffy said late ten
O'Clock Tuesday morning that none had been
issued. Believing that there might possibly be
sistance to arrest large number of politicians and
personal friends Of both the and the old County
Clerk were assembled about the County Court House
to watch the turn of events.
PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.
The proceedings attending the preparation of the
complaint and granting of the warrant attended
with much secrecy on both sides. Mr.. Gumbleton
spent the morning in consultation with his counsel
his counsel. Messrs. Charles F. Mclean and Henry
E. Knox, Of the Bar Associations COMMITTEES; Mr..
Maurice j. Power, Arthur ). Delaney.and others.
Matters were brought to crisis when at noon
Court officers Bennett and Hitchcock appeared in the
Office Of the County Clerk and served Mr.. Thompson
with o warrant Of arrest. The warrant was for mis-
demcanor and forcible entry and detainer OF
premises, or, in the language Of the statute.
for taking possession with strong hands and
complainant, Henry A. Gumbeton. The greatest
punishment for this offence when is iInpris-
n ahe tEr one % S ear OF ns % os
officer informed Mr.. Thompson that his presence ut
the Harlem Police Court would be required ashalf-
past three in the afternoon Mr. Thompson prom.
ised to be present and the officers left.
SERVING WARRANTS.
The warrant for Mr.. Costigans arrest served
In the Office OF the City Record in the basement of the
City Hall. When the officers first called Mr..
Costgsn was absent. but when they visited the
place second time he was served Mr. Costican
seemed to be taken by surprise. Mr.. Cannon and
Mr.. Clarkson were subsequently served in the
Mr.. Gumbleton. accompanied by his former
associates J. Fairfax. A. Mclaughlin. John Z. Wade
where Justice Duffy sitting. about three o'clock
About the time the formers counsel, Edwin r.
Soon afterward Mr.. Charles F. Mclean and
Mr. Henry Z. Knox came into the room.
three Mr.
by his fellow prisoners-Mr. Costgan. MIR. d4nnon
and Mr.. Carkson-arrived and were shown into pri-
vate room at the right OF the court ROOM There
a crowd of about two hundred persons in the room
when the word was passed that the accused had re-
sponded to the warrant. Among those who occu-
pied seats outside Of the railing Sheridan Shook
and John Fox. Thomas H. Ferris. George Black,
Water Register Daniel j. OReilly and Timothy Shea
1t was said that the two first named prepared
to furnish bail for the prisoners should 1t be re-
quired.
At four O'Clock Justice Duffy took his seat and the
prisoners filed into the ROOM Mr.. Gumbleton and
nd IN rw.,,, <I,o
right Of the centre aisle. As they hled past
Mr.. ,, Thompson was in advance followed
apparently greatly embarrassed. The new County
Clerk bowed to Mr.. Gumbeton and smiled; Mr..
recognition passed between the others. Then Mr.
Gumbleton. with his witncsses-Messrs. McCosker
and Alexander J. Dowd-and the counsel on both
sides, stepped to the bar and the proceedings began
Justice Duffy showed Mr. Gumblcton the complaint.
and asked him il he prepared to subsantate the
allegation by proof Mr.. Gumbleton replied that he
was ready to proceed
THE AFfIDAvITs
The first afidavit is by Henry A. Gumbleton. It
set forth that Hubert o. Thompson. Thomas Costi-
gan. Edward A. Clarkson. William Cannon and some
nfeen other persons between four and Ave O'Clock
the morning following the night of the 18th inst
made forcble entry into the lands and promises in
the sixth ward in the city of New York. the north
east corner OF the Court House. the first floor
and basement thereof consisting OF four rooms
and passageway the said first hoor and two
rooms and passageway in the said basement, being
the premises known the office of the County Clerk
of said county and did forcibly put this deponent
pOSsesslOu
And the deponent further said that ON the 7th day
of Novembtf, 1876. ut general state election
there held he was duly chosen Clerk OF said
county by the electors of said county three years
from the ist day of January. 1877 then next ensung
that he duly qualified such clerk. and the said
list day of January 1877 duly entered upon the dis
charge of his duties such clerk and continued in
their discharge until the unlawful acts of Thompson
and the others complained of that in the discharge
Of such duties he. the LIST day of January,
1877, took possession OF the foregoing described
premises and had ever since held the peaceful and
of me the fore
entry by Hubert y. Thompson and the others
the morning of the 18th inst long after the depc-
ent's possession and right aforesaid occurred
Wherefore the deponent made complaint that
such entry was made by Thompson and the
people, contrary to the provisions of article of
chapter Of title 10 OF part OF the Revised
Statutes, and contrary to section 30 of chapter OF
part Of title Of said statutes and contrary to the
laws of this State and to the disturbance of the pub
lie peace peponen' therefore prayed shst the said
Clarkson aud William Cannon might DO approhended
and held to answer such complaint. and DO dealt
with relative to the same law and justice may do
mand. The complaint is dated March "a
oTTIrR AYFIDAvrTs.
The next affidavit tx by Matthias ]. McCosker and
Alexander J. Dowd. They deposc severaly that they
have been in the employ OF Henry A. Gunbleton,
whose afidavit and complaint is annexed; that in
the course OF their employ ment they were directed
10 carefully watch the premises mentioned In the
~ Inc and an the un nsnr o.
Of the following morning. and prevent the AL.
mission Of all persons not especially authorized
by said Gumbletcn to enter tho same. That by
of such employ ymcnt and at the direction of
said Gumblcton on the night OF the 18th inst.
all the doors, windows and modes of exit
and ingress carefully aud securely locked.
and these dcponents alone occupied said prem
iscs until the forcible entry by Thompson.
That at just about the hour Of hafpast four tho
morning OF the 18th day Ut March each Of these de-
ponents was awakened by loud pounding at one of
tho doors of said Office In the basement. which
then locked and barred, and Immediately thereafter
the locks and bars OF such basement doors were
burst open with great force and violence.
and the door being thus opened. Thompson,
with great crowd of persons, pushed
into the rooms of said (iumbleton. And
among the persons who thus accompanied said
Thompson were the prisoners at the bar, Costigan,
Cannon, Clarksou and some fifteen or twenty other
persons unknown to doponents. but who, from their
personal appearance. dcponcnts judged to be danger
Gus and desperate characters who would do depo-
ncnts bodily harm. That said Thompson approached