Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1882-12-15
PACIFIC COAST CHEEK.
NJ. Pfnney AstOnishes the
Gotham Lawyers.

New YORK, Dec. IA further in.
vestigation of the charges OF crimina
libel preferred by George NJ. Plnney
against ". Hamilton and Vernon Sea.
man, Was had before Justice Murray in
the Court Of Special Sessions yesterday.
the two defendants are interested in
the mining business, and the complain
ant, who is an officer in mining COM
pany, claims that during the months of
September and October they caused to
be circulated and printed circular
containing malicious and false state.
men5s, calculated to inJure his repu-
ta.lon. The circular in question
Was headed Pinneys Pvrtralt," and
purported to contain extracts from
a speech delivered in San Francisco by
Edward Marshall and published in the
Ecen,Rg Post of that city of Sept. S.
1877. The alleged libel is couched IN
the most vehement language and casti-
gates the complainant, who is charged
with crimes overt AMI covert. The de-
Tense is that the hole story is true aud
that it was proper to warn the public
against such man as Plnney. Pinney
took the stand yesterday. He is tall
square shouldered man. with gray hair
aud moustache. and OF d!gnitied and
military bearing. As q witness he was
manual of keenness. The easy non
chalance with which he underwent a
cross-examination full of sudden and
startling surprises, staggered even such
an old practitioner as Home. who repre-.
scented the defendants. Pinney was
asked if he had not killed man named
Beal few years ago, and he admitted
the fact in the tone of man who had
taken a passing interest in such all at.
fair at one time. A Coroner's jury con.
sidered the killing justitiable, he said.
He mentioned among other matters
that he recollected the fact that he was
indicted twice for forgery in California,
and was indicted four times for criminal
offenses in the United States Circuit
Court. In response to a question he
said he thought he had been Indicted
for criminal offenses about eight times.
He as asked: "Now, couldn't You
make the figure higher-just think
now"
II don't recollect that was indie red
more than eight times" replied the
witness in tone of indifference. cit
may have been more. One or two al.
fairs may have escaped my memory.
think hit times is about right.
''Were you ever convicted -
"Never."
PiDney gave sketch of his life and
and said he had been an of.
lice holder for IA years. He was Uni
ted ates Marshal for Dakota, and &C.
cupied the same 1tfice in Montana.
Have You ever been an ordained
minister -
Nol sir "
odd you not preach sermons once:'
"Oh, well" said he, 81 believe l
did deliver lectures, or sermons, or
whatever else you call them
Pinney claimed that he made charges
against the Superintendent of the
United States Mint in San Francisco,
and that commission was appointed
co investigate the charges by the Secre.
tary Of the Treasury. II was in con.
nectlOn Will tHis tnaG the speech OF
was delivered. He was 10
San Francisco when . tive-column re-
port of the speech wa. published in the
Evening Post, but he said he never saw
or heard that such speech had been
delivered, although he read the news
papers. !
The case was adjourned for several
days. 5,t ID H..