The Evening critic., 1881-06-30
THE COUNTERFEIT MONEY CASE.
Second Trial Of Thomas j. BicI.sIcr.

Second Trial Of Thomas j. BicI<sIcr.
In the Criminal Court to-day the case of
Thomas j. Bickser, indicted for having in
his possession counterfeit silver coins of the
denomination of half dollars, quarters and
half dimes with intent to defnud, was
again called up for trial. The case grew
out of the Rupp-Ghccn arrest and the al
legged attempt to poison Emma Baker in
Jail. John Il. Norris, Gen. Miller and L.
Il. Miller for defense.
Emma Baker testified that she went to
Bckslcr's photograph gallery with Alice
Westcott very frequently in November
and December, and when Alice went up,
witness knew she had no money; when she
came down Alice would pull silver money
out of her bosom and show IL to her; Alice
told her that Bickslcr gave II to her; she
assisted Alice in passing the money in the
market.
On cross-examination witness said she had
been in Jail for seventeen months, and was
sent there on the same charge as Alice, for
passing counterfeit money; she said that she
had been in the District Attorneys office to
answer his questions, but he never promised
her immunity from prosecution; she be-
licvcd now she would not be prosecuted.
Molic Westcott testified that she had
been to Bicksler's gallery with Alice and
seen her get silver and paper money from
Bickscr don't know how many times she
got 1t, but she got it every time she went
there have seen Bicksler give her a roll OF
ten-cent pieces they looked new have seen
Bickslcr and Alice in market together, and
have seen them buy things.
Thomas w. Fowler testified that in Dc.
cember, 1879, BiclSsler paid him $3.50, all in
quarters. Among them were number OF
bright pieces, which he knew were counter.
felt, and sent them back to BiclSsler for good
money.
+. w. Fowler, .jr., testified that he tool,
the bad money from his father to Bickslei
for exchange, and Bicksler gave him good
money for it.
J. S. swormstcdt testified that he received
the money from Bckslcr for Mr.. Fowler; II
was put in the box where the store money
was kept.
Samuel Nj. Smith testified as to Emmf
Baker and Alice Rupp or Westcott passing
counterfeit silver on him in the fall of 1879
John McWilliams testified as to Emmi
Baker, IN company with Alice Westcott
passing counterfeit silver quarters on hin
in the market in November last
William Dickey, CORTLAND johnson
Thomas +. Hardiman and Edith Gainc,
testified to the same effect.
Officer Brccn testified to arrcsting Baker
and Westcott, and to the former dropping q
counterfeit half-dollar in the station-house
and to finding several counterfeits in tn,
trunk of the latter.
Thos. J. Bicksler was sworn in his owl
behalf and testified that he had nevel
given any counterfeit coin of any kind t.
Alice Westcott Witness then explained
the use of the hollow planks found in hi,
gallery with sliding tops.
On cross-cXaminatiOn witness acknOwl
| edged that he was arrested in 1879 for pass
ing counterfeit bill, but the charge wa.
dismissed; never passed counterfeit none,
on anybody in his life knowingly; the hol
low planks found were never used for hold
ing counterfeit money made the hollow
block found in Alice Wcscott's trunk as
safe place for her money at her request
made 1t about six months ago have know
Alice for four ysars.
Witness paid the rent of house in whic
Alice lived, at corner Thirtcen-and-a IA hal
and ID; visited her once week or oftener
witress is married man with family
declined to state his relations with Alice
one of the blocks was made to hold the neg
atives of fancy pictures; was not in tn
habit of going to market with Alice; sh
had Il key to the gallery; she came Their
for II social time with others in the even
ing; refreshments and card playing Emm
Baker was sometimes there with her; thes
entertainments occurred perhaps once
month or Oftener; the bullets whcl
were found by the police in tn
gallery were for the pistol of witness
made one of the blocks in 1868 for the SAT
keeping of about $1,000 in gold which wit
ness had know nothing about the counter
felt money: tried to get counsel for Alice
defense; sometimes sent food to Alice in tn
Jail heard that Ihnma Baker came nea
dying from drinking of u bottle of coffee a
the Jail an old cOlOred man brought basSe
of provisions to the gallery from Alice
house; witness sent out to get pie to ad
to it did got examine the contents of tn
basket wrote a letter to Alice at the time
have received letters from her i'm cipher; the,
were generally commenced My Darling
when witness gallery was searched, Lieut.
Kelly and two officers and wife of witncs
| we're present; never told his wife when h
was being taken out that he wanted her I,
put wood in the fire to keep 1t going recol
lect paying Mr.. Fowler $3.50, and his re
turning half dollar and two quarters
gave him good money for them and de
stroyed the countcrfeits did not know the,
were counterfeits until then; have received
good deal of counterfeit money in bust
ness; always destroyed it on discovery
have had parties to refuse my money one,
or twice in the market as not being good
don't remember whether Alice was along a
the time or not.
Oscar Roberts, artist, testified that he hat
worked for Bickslcr; knew of the hole nea
the water-closet it was used for the block
containing the negatives of the fancy pic
lures; Bicksler always paid witness an,
Others in good money, so far as witnes
knew.
LuttreII a. Wine,
No. 1880 Pennsylvania avenue, are nov
offering superior lots of dry goods, sutab
| for the SEASON. Mt Very low nrinns trhns