New-York tribune., 1880-02-13
IMPROPER Use OF THE MAILS.

pnv.pn y wiIIIAMs A wrILKNOwS CITIZEN OF
GREyNpo1yT. ARRESTED on CHARGE OF
MAILING OBSCENE LETTERs-HIs DENIAL
Edward T. Williams, prominent citizen OF
Greenpont was arrested yesterday on n warrant
issued bv United States District-Attorney lenney'
of BROOKLYN, on the complaint OF Anthony Com-
stock, who charges him with sending obscene mat
ter through the mails. Mr.. ComstocRs aihhaVlt
sets forth that on or about the 2Sth day OF sep
tember. 1879, f. F. Williams unlawfully, wilfuily
and knowingly deposited or caused to be deposited
IN the mails Of the United States Ger
tain obscene. lewd and indecent paper and writ
inr." addressed to George Rowland, Calyer-st.'
Greenpoint" The warrant was placed in the
hands of Deputy Marshal John REM. who. accom-
panied by Mr.. Comsock. sought Mr.. Williams lie
WAS found IN an Office used by him for the collec'
tion of wharfage fees az West and Oak-sts., aud
was taken 10 the United States building at Clinton
and Montague-sts., Brooklyn, where he was ar
raiqued before United States Commissioner Allen.
lie pleaded not guilty, and Assistant Dlstrict-At-
torucy Angel said that he would be compelled to
ask bail for tie prisoner in $4,000, and Was hxen
nj that amount. Two friends of AlT Nllliams,
who accompanied him. homas c. Smith and Will
lam Foulks became his sureties. The examination
was set down for Monday.
Threatening and obscene letters. which are be-
lioved to have been written by the same person;
have been received at various times during INC ast
three years by several residents OF GIcenpolhI'
Among them are Leutenant-Coloncl george u
Bradley of the 47th Regiment, the Rev Lewis
Francis of the Kent Street Reformed Church; ana
Josiah Palmer, of Eckford-st Advertisements nave
also heen inserted IN a New-York paper purporting
TO be signed by Mr. Palmer, which have caused nun
much annoyance. and " hch he believes emaha1ed
from the same source as tho anonymous lei'ylS 70
One of the advertisements called Tor 10y
man TO work on railroad at higl
salary, and another stated that he wanted
n dog. These attracted crowds of men. boys
Mr.
was directed to Mr. Williams as the writer OF the
letters b. the fact of the similarity of the handw
ing in them 10 that of Mr.. Williams, with Which
Mr.. Rowland was familiar Mr. Williams and hr.
Rowland formerly had an office together; Wneh
Mr. Rowland went away he lelt some envelopes ne
hind, and it was IN some OF these that ihe anon
mons letters were sent Mr.. Rowland then
procured other envelopes, and. hiteen OF
these he marked with n letter uhder
the lower lefthand flap calling the attention oi II
friend TO the fact These ln3racu enFeioPeS WI
placed in Mr.. WIlamss desk without his knoWi,
edge and Mr. Rowland receivedtwo letters iiicIoSed
in these envelopes. Ihc matter was brought 10 inc
attention of Anthony COmstOck who caused buSl-
mess letter TO be sent TO Mr Williams Tor the sake
of obtaining sample OF MS hanaWIllihhg onIh VIII"
which TO compare the letters before referred TO-.
Mr. Williams is well known in Cireenp0int, wherc
he has lived for many wears lis nome Is az 40.
SO Calyer-st, while MT; hPwiand iEeS I'VE o,IefeS
of the Greenpoint Savings Bank, at Franklin ana
Oak-sts. He IS brother OF the late David MliIlaius
president Of the Brooklyn Fire Department, ana oi
Sidney f. Williams, counsel of the Brooklyn Beard
of Health After leaving the c0urI-room Mr. VIII
lams was asked by TRIBUNE reporter If he had
ANYTHING TO say in reference 10 the charge against
him lie repled that he knew nothing at all about
the matter and was taken wholly by surprise when
arrested He had no knowledge of the letters
which lie was charged with sending, ana was at q
loss TO imagine why Nh Rowland should make such
an allegation against INN. He and Mr. Rowland
had always been Oh good terms, both III then buSi,
ness aud social relations, beng helghDorsr @ auu
formerly having occupied Office together. There
must be conspiracy, be said, but whether 1t was
for Matchmaking purposes or not he did not know.
lie protested his innocence Of uny connection with
or knowledge Of the letters