National Republican., 1883-01-26
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Interview with Assistant District Attor-
ney Taggnrt-A New Case Brought 10
Light.
REPUBLICAN reporter called on Mr..
Hugh Taggart, the assistant United States
attorney, yesterday to get his version Of the
action of the government in the cases of Hall
and Mantz, the former of whom was con-
victed for stealing Miss Ellis's jewelry and
the latter was indicted for receiving it.
"The whole case" said Mr.. Taggart
crested upon the evidence of Bulldog Wash
ington. You see, Mautz was charged with
having received first the violin belonging to
Lieut. Gallagher and secondly, the jewelry
of Miss Ellis. The violin case came up first,
and Lieut.. Gallagher identified the instru-
ment as his Detective Acton said il was
found at Mantz's place, but that the bar
keeper, / think, alleged il had been
| left there for safe keeping by
some ono whom he did not know When
asked If there was any hesitation in giving
it up when told it was stolen property he said
no. Then it was Bulldogs turn. He it was
who was said to have made the statement
that the violin, as we'll as Miss Ellis's iewelry,
were sold to Mantz after telling him that they
were stolen. l had asked Bulldog in the
court land Lieut.. Guy was there)
what he knew about the violin,
and he said he knew nothing at all.
Whatever statement he had made, when 1
! put him on the stand he knew nothing, and
Mantz was acquitted. The attorney for Mantz,
after this acquittal, was extremely anxious to
have him tried on the charge of receiving
Miss Ellis's jcwelry, but nolle pressed the
case with the intention, as | subsequently,
told Miss Ellis, If additional evidence could
! be secured, of going into court and asking
that the nolle pros. be stricken out"
How about Lieut.. Guys statement that he
and Miss Ellis received notes asking them to
pul lot p,tlp 1,n nENn
lnent was made"
These letters were some that were sent
long after the nolle pros. had been entered,
and were for the purpose of consulting with
them as TO whether any additional facts in the
case had developed. l kept the case in mind
ana was anxious to do all in my power in the
matter"
Did you know about Mantz's attorney
having the watch? p"
"No, sir never until saw the statement
of Miss Ellis in THE REPUBLICAN. Nor did
| know that Mr.. Williams had told Lieut.
Guy that if Miss Ellis identified Hall she
would never recover her property. Lieut..
Guy never told mo anything of the kind.
can conscientously say that i have en-
deavored to do my whole duty in every re-
spect since l have occupied this Office
and have never faltcred in prosecuting u
case no matter whose it was. / don't want to
be misreprCsented nor put in false light,
and / must say | was surprised at the intima-
ton that l nolle pressed this case against
MantA without sufficient cause. / am as
deeply interested as any other citizen in Sc
curing punishment for criminals, and more
so ON account of the position | occupy. Tho
citizens committee shall find this office in
hearty sympathy with them, and the work
will be thorough and complete"
AS intimated in yesterdays REPUBLICAN
the district attorneys Office is now in the re-
Ceipt of all the information which had been
l.A
zens committee and the work of classifying
and arranging it for presentation to the grand
jury will be completed at the earliest possible
moment.
Another case was received by the committee
yesterday. In February, 1881, Mr.T. G. Colgate,
of New York, came to this city and stopped at
the National hotel. In the afternoon he went
to his room to take anap. Before lying down
! he took his vest, in an inside pocket of which
was wallet containing $l30, and his watch,
chain. and charms, which had cost him $3.50 in
Switzerland under his pillow. He also placed
, pocket book in which We're $50, between the
mattrass. When he awoke he found that his
; vest with its contents, and his watch, chain,
and charms had been stolen.
He sent for Mr.. Tcnney and reported his
loss, and Detective Miller was summoned, to
whom all the circumstances, together with q
description OF the property, were given. Mr..
Miller examined the room, asked a few ques-
tions, looked wise, and announced that it was
evidently the work of professional. Mr.
Colgate said he would give $3.50 for tho re-
covery ofthe watch chain, and charms, and as
ho was obliged to return to New York
he left the matter in the hands
of Hon. j. w. Douglass as his attorney.
Shortly afterward Mr.. Miller called ON Mr..
Douglass and said he had found out where
, Mr.. Cogates property was; that it was in
Baltimore, and that it could be recovered for
5000. Mr. Douglass communicated with Mr..
Colgate to know il he would give that amount,
and he replied that he wouldn't give single
cent more than he had at first offered to be
divided between the detectives and other
thieves. Mr.. Tenney, proprietor of the
. National hotel, however, agreed TO give the
other $50 Mr.. Colgate also said that, if it
, was known that his watch and chain were in
Baltimore and could be gotten for 5000, un-
less they were returned, he would take legal
measures to investigate the matter. Within
4 few days after this Mr.. Miller took tho
Z watch, chain, and charms to Mr.. Douglass, and
received from him check for $3.50. 1t is
said that Mr.. Tenney paid him $50 more.
The above is the case ms told to REPUB-
LICAN reporter yesterday, and it seems to be
u good case for the grand jury to investigate.
Mr.. Colgate is now in the city. Mr. Douglass
and Mr.. Tenny are well known, and as the
occurrence took place about two years ago it
a is not outlawed.