Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-10-29
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THAT FORGED I.EITT{z.


NEW YORK, Oct. q, 2:53 p. m.-ihe au
thor of the forged letter attributed to Gen
Garfield was arrested a few minutes ago IN
Brooklyn, after an all night chase. His
name is keneward Phelps, an editor on
Truth, and formerly of the Brooklyn Argus
and a dime novel writer \ warrant was
issued by Judge Davis of the supreme court.
The national committee have retained
cN-Minister T. W Stoughton and other
eminent counsel. The principal expert in
writing was Albert 6 Southworth of l. 1stGn
The whole scheme will now he exploded
There is much excitement where the arrest
is known, but the news is net as yet gencr-
ally circulated. The prosecution will be
pushed vigorously. GEO W. HOOKER
SILL LATEE-THE FoEGER AEEAIGTEp.
NGw YORK, Headquarters Republican Ma
uonal Committee, Oct. 81, 800 p. NJ
Phelps, the forgcr Of the Chinesc-labOr letter,
is now being arraigned before Judge Davis
of tic supreme court, on the charge Of Grim
inal libel. II convicted he VIII 60 TO the
pcnitrntary for several years. Other ev
pcrts are retained by the committee inclul-
ing Ames and Paine Of New y ork and Hogan
Of Troy. GEO. w. uooEER.
HELD To GAIL.
New YORK, Oct. 27.-Phelps the Garfield
letter forger, has been held in 5000 bail
pending the completion of the preliminary
trial before Judge Davis, Thursday.
Gro. W. HOOKER
NOTES OF PHELPs's EXAMINATIONS.
New York, Oct. 21.-Judge Davis, in
Phclpss examination said that while it was
not necessary to read the afiilaviis, he would
not restrain the district attorney from read
ing them. Mr.. Bell then began reading the
allidavits of George Bliss, when counsel for
defendant objected, saying 1t was only
necessary for the judge to decide whether
he would hold the prisoner. Judge Davis
thought the counsel would he embarrassed
to find authorities to support their objection
to the reading of aiiiGavitS MIR Brooks Of
| 'helps's counsel moved that j'r district
attorney be not allowed t. read cXpartc al
tidayits. Judge Davis oyerrI,!rsI the motion
and exception was taken. Mr. Bell then
/ read the affidavit of George Bliss. II set
forth the publication in a paper called the
| Truth of al alleged letter of General
Garfield to Morey and the publication in that
paper, On October 22d, of an editorial
headed, Lying and Sticking to It.
in which Gen Garfield was repeatedly called
liar. Bliss swears that lie is acquainted
with Gen. Gartield's writing and that lie be
ieves the Mercy letter was written end forg-
cd by Keneward Phelps. Bell then said
| hold in my hand the original manuscript
of the editorial referred TO, headed Living
and Sticking to it" The affidavit of Bliss
went on to say thas he believed the publisher
and manager of the Truth arranged with the
| democratic national committee to circulate
large number of copies of the forged letter
Bell then said he had affidavits of gentle
men who were acknowledged to be experts
IN handwriting Counsel for defendant. I'VE
deny that. lie read the atfidavits of J.
f. Payne and A. F. SOuthworth, setting
forth that the Morey letter was not, in their
| belief written by Gen. Garfield, and that
the letter was written by Phelps, who wrote
the editorial article referred to. They had
also In framing their opinion seen his hand
writing on bills and other papers The
amount of bail came next under discussion
PHELPS INDIFFERENT.
The Posts postscript says Phelps appear
ed very nonchalant when arrested and when
a friend asked him what was the matter he
replied 81 believe | am arrested for fOrg-
ing Beautiful Snow" The evidence
against Phelps consists in part of expert
testimony as To the forged letter, but it is
understood papers containing writing of the
same character as that of the forged letter
have been secured.
Motion was made TO have the warrant dis
missed on the ground that the aflidavits were
not strong enough to support it. The motion
was denied by Judge Davis, who held that
the publication of an article after its
autheuticity.i is denied, which tended to bring
odium on the supposed author was criminal
libel. The examination was adjourned
unit! II o'clock tomorrow forenoon, the
prisoner furnishing $1,000 bail to appear.
4. l.. i, !
the crowd was leaving the court room three
cheers for Hancock were given. The one
who started the cry could not be caught
though Judge Davis ordered his arrest