New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-18
4 FORTUNE IN IN OVERCOAT


REMARKABLE SUIT IN BROOKLYN COURT
STRANGE STORY OF A MAN WHO sPEcULATED
IN WALL STREET AND LIVED IN A CONSTABLE.
A case which presents some curious features
was tried Yesterday the Kings County Circuit Court,
| Judge Gilbert presiding II brought by Covert
Gcrkcn against James G. Belts and John C. Belts, pro-
prietors of the Eastern Hotel IN WhItehal-st this city,
| The plaintiff Is German. with the appearance OF u
tramp He collar and shirt was visible, his
ragged being butoned his chest His trou-
sers much patched
Gerkcn's story that his father died near Bremen In
Germany, leaving quantity OF land. which tie son
sold In 1874 he 10 this country for the second
time, bringing with him $l6,S00 In purse which he
carried the pocket Of his overcoat On July g. 1874.
he went to the Eastern Hotel. LAID his OvercOat
chair aud ordered breakfast There was dispute in re-
gard to matter and James Belts took the plaintiffs
coat security Tor payment. Afterward Gerken called
policeman and secured possession OF his oyercoa but
the money was missing. Since then ho has demanded
the money, but had not obtained any of IT, He asked
Judgment ter the sum named with interest.
Gerkon's counsel said that scent wealthy
man doing business in Wall street. The PLAIN
tiff testified that the money In the breast pocket
his Overcoat IN long pocketbook There were ten
81 900 bills. twelve $500 bills aud 500 81 bills He was
fny-sx years OF age, born in Hanover. ami now
lived at Tompkins-ave. and Stoekton-st., Brooklyn.
When Wall street in the Spring Of 1874 he had
between 600 and 900. Some OF it In his belt
and some his pocket There $l6.sO0 In the belt.
and he carried there about two months Then he put
II in his pocket THIS the night before lie
went to the hotel. He did not the Overcoat. but
carried il on his On the crossexminaton Gerken
said that had slept III a constable In Brooklyn and
also In Blissville His reason doing that the
stable was cooler than In Bssvillc he stayed
in "A constable Tor three or four months.
william Marcy Wall Street broker. testified that
ken had bought gold of him ~ 1872 1874 Some
times he bought as much as II, 500 me ana once
| or
witness saw GerReu III August, 1874, and he seemed
much broken down ana changed.
The defendants counsel claimed that the action
brought for backmal. The money which he had used
in Wall street $1,000 which he had obtained Through
SUIT AGAINST the Adams Express Company smlart the
present action. He claimed that the painuG was "a
James G. Belts testified that Gerken the hotel
to get his breakfast on July When he finished eating
he Started 10 leave the Restaurant when the Witness
who was standing by the cashiers desk. called out To
him that he had not paid his check Geken Lana the
cheek down upon the desk and said haven't any
money" Iuasmuch as he looked like tramp the wiz
ness SAID that he mutt leave sonie security for the pay
ment. Therupon GerkeD laid down IA linen duster
which he carried MS arm, and went The buster
there il remained until one day in the fol.
lowing October. when Gerken came il, placed
his coat It given TO him. Two or three days af.
tervard he returned and said that there was large
amount OF IN the coat. He caused the ar
rest witness. who vas taken before Justice Wan
dell and discharged.
that he standing by the cashiers desk when erken
left the dusir aud he also saw him redeem the
on neither occasion did Gcrken say anything about
money being IN t.
Thomas Nunan waiter in the hotel stated that Ger
ken SAID nothing about having left quantity of money
IN the buster when he called Tor II in October
John {. kapp testified that from 1870 10 1874 the
plaintiff Ia the habit OF going TO his Capps fathers
place In vingon-st to beg money. His father had
come from Germany II GeIkcn's company, ana gave
him money on account OF his kindly feelings toward
him.
J. g Hodges. lawyer. stated that he first brought
suit for Gcrkeu against the dcteudans but IL discou-
tnued. He abandoned II because Gerken wished HIM
10 consent TO PERJURY. The witness not altogether
satisfied with Gcrkens story ami told HIM bring his
witnesses 10 his Office Ia prove IT. To his Gcrk,i re.
Piled that the lawyer should write such statement
thought best and TIE witnesses would swear Ia
Gerken rccaiird and asked whether coat which
he had WAS linen buster. He that IL was
woolen and that carried for the SAX. at
protection In wet weather.
The VIII be given the Jury to-day.