National Republican., 1883-08-29
LEGAL MATTERS.
Another Extension Office Clerk Arrested for
Defrauding Pension Claimant
still Another Suit Against the Baltimore
and Potomac RaiIyvay Company

Before United States Commissioner Buddy
yesterday Gould p. Austin was on trial for
alleged violation of the pension laws. A war
rant was sworn out by Deputy Marshal Gpss,
charging Austin with devising cert5in
scheme and artifce to defraud, which was 10
be effected by opening correspondence with
certain parties by means Of communication
with them through the postoftices of the,
United States.
The direct charge brought against Austin
is that no wrote to Helen X. Richardson, of
Tecumseh, Mich, on tho seventh of April,
1883. Mrs. Richardson had claim pending
in the pension office, then in the hands of an
examiner and about to be adjudicated.
Austin, it is alleged, while q clerk in the pen
sion office, wrote to Mrs. Richardson, stating
that he had opportunities to obtain informa-
tion that her claim was about to be finally
adjudicated and that he could assist and for
ward the settlement of her claim.
In one letter he says The interest l am
taking in your behalf is very beneficial to
you, and if win the case for you there is no
doubt but what you will be willing to recon-
pense me for taking the interest have in
your behalf As tho claim will amount to
nearly $4,000, you can well afford to pay me
something, and shall leave it to your own
generosity what 1t shall be-"
In another letter he states; 1 shall allow
you If l win In your behalf about $4,000,
so you see it will be quite an item for you.
1 do not want you to let your attorney, Fitz-
gerald, or any one to know our business. You
must not let any one know of our corre-
spondence between each other. II you did
| would lose my own head, and know you
would not do that after my doing so much for
you"
by these letters it is claimed that he in
duced Mrs. Richardson to believe that he could
hnrr 1ai ahn .lont Al
remunerate him for his services. On May
20, 1883, he wrote second letter to tho claim
ant, to the effect that he was still clerk in
the pension office; that her claim was still in
his hands as such clerk, and that it would bo
fully decided after he had made q report
thereon and brief Of all the evidence in the
case and ho would endeavor to do all this in
a few days.
All of the representations set forth In these
letters 1t is asserted, were false, 80 far as Mr..
Austin is concerned, as he was nota clerk in
the pension office at the time he represented
himself to be, as he had been dismissed some
time in March last.
edge of the transaction and traced them down
to Mr.. Austin as the party engaged in the un-
lawful practice.
In addition to procuring the warrant for
his arrest search warrant was taken out
and the latter placed in the hands of De-
tcctive Mattingly, who proceeded to Mr..
Austin's room. There he found q large
quantity of the Interior department. pension
Office official paper and penalty envelopes,
a list of other pension cases now pending be-
fore the Office, some of which are about to be
finally settled, and bundles of letters, cor
respvndence with other claimants having
cases now pending before the department..
Mr.. Austin was taken before Commissioner
Bundy, where Mr.. Irwin appeared for the
district attOrney'S office. and MIR. T. Thomas
Turner for the accused Mr.. Austin claims
that he has nothing criminal, or violated any
law and that when the time comes he will
exonerate himself
The hearing in tho case was postponed for
two weeks, and bail in the sum of 81, 500 was
fixed. ... .
Mr.. Austin was unable to furnish bail and
was taken to jail,
1t is stated that the above is but an insig.
investigation and 1t Is expected that i'm
portant arrests are shortly to be made.
MORE SUITS AGAINST THE RAILROAD COM
PANY.
Two more suits against the Baltimore and
Potomac railway were fled yesterday. One
Is by Charles b. Church, who claims $40, 600
damages to his property ct No. 306 Eleventh
street southwest, and the other is by VIM. N.
Dalton and Olivia A. Dalton, who claims
$1,000 to their property on the same street
Messrs. Hine, Hagner, and Maddox are the
attorneys in both cases.
DIVORCE SUIT RENEWED
The suit of divorce of Alice p. Read against
George B. Read was dismissed Monday at the
request of tho wife, Yesterday Mr.. Amber
Smith filed a new bill praying divorce ALI
mony and custody of the children. They
were married April 90, 1872 and she charges
habitual drunkenness desertion, and cruelty.