Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-07-22
McDEVITT AND ENSIGN.
Preliminary Examination Yes
terday-Thcy Blame 1t all on
Contractor Wiley, and Vice

Versa.
PHILADELPHIA, July 2l.-ln the Star
route cases tine United States Commis-
sioner held McDevitt, Ensign and
Price in five thousand dollars bail each
for trial, the two first furnishing the
security and the latter being committed
in default.
PHuADELPHTA, July 2l.-The cases OF
the men arrested recently upon charge
of conspiracy Ia deirdud the government
in the letting OF Star Route mail con-
tracts in Arizona and Utah, came before
the United State Commissioner to day.
Alter waiting nearly an hour Christian
Price and Legrande Ensign were the
only defendants who appeared, and thc
bail oil Thomas A. McDevltt was lnr-
ieited subsequently his counsel ap-
peared with telegram stating that he
had missed the train at PerryvlIle,
and was on his way to the city.
Postal Inspector Charles L. Barrett was
shown one OF the bonds on which
Prices name appeared as surety, ana
testified that he had 4 conversation with
Price on Wednesday OF last week; that
defendant said he did not know that
contractor Wiley had signed the bond al
the request OF McDevitt. lie said he
did own property in Clinton county,
on which he had become surety. He
said he knew Ensign, who had also be-
come bondsman; hoped there would
be no trouble about the matter, AMI
that he had made trade for the land in
question. At this point District
Attorney Valentine produced certlti-
cate showing that the property, claimed
bv price to be worth $4,000, had been
sold to him in 1877 for = 600. AMI that
in September 1873, it was sold tOr taxes,
bringing Sl24, and that the property
had not since been redeemed. Ensign
told the inspector that he owned four
improved city properties, but upon in
vestigatiOn 1t was shown that nj
the time of executing the
bonds these properties We're mortgaged
ior s., 500 each, or 81 900 beyond their
assessed value. Ensign claims to have
satisfied the second mortgages, which
were for 81 900 each, and which were
held by Price. Wiley, who WAS prncl
pal, or bidder, was seen last week 10y
the Inspector, aud upon Interrogation
stated that Thos A. McDevitt mad some
time since visited him and requested
him to bid for the six star routes III the
Territory of Utah, promising at the same
time that he would furnish the suretirs
and would obtain for him lWiley) an
appointment as route agent. WI
lev was not 10 be bothered
with the contracts and was to he
held blamelrSs in case OF trouble. Four
OF these contracts bid ior by Wiley were
awarded to him, but upon his failure to
carry out their provisions they were
raised some $1,000, and relet TO other
parties. All communications referring
to the contracts received by Wiley were
turned over by him to McDtvitt
When Inspector Barrett reported this
statement to McDeVitt, the latter said 1t
was about right, but that he acted in the
matter only 20 beiriend Wiley, who WAS
out OF employment and who hc thought |
could obtain work i'll this way. Wiley |
has not vet been arrested, although |
warrants have been out nearly week. |
The total amount OF surety on the four |
Star route bonds by Ensign and Price |
was S2i 900. The certificate OF the Phil |
adelphia postmaster, which is signed by |
James L. Bingham, assistant postmaster, |
states that diIigent and careful search |
has been made, and that in the opinion |
OF Postmaster Swain the statements as |
to their responsibility made 10y Ensign |
and Price We're correct.