St. Landry democrat., 1885-09-05
CONFESSED.

Lucius A. White, Arrested in st. Louis for
Procuring the Counter citing of Brazilian
Bank Notes, Gives the Whole Snap Away
and Relieves the Government of a Good
Deal of Trouble.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, August 29.-The Gov
eminent authorities have brought the
great Brazilian counterfeiting case to
very successful close by obtaining con-
fession from the chief party involved,
Mr.. Lucius A. White. About five O'Clock
yesterday afternoon Deputy Marshals
Hicks and Hawkins called at the Four
Courts, obtained the prisoner and escort
ed him with the utmost care to the Gus
into the presence of Assistant District
Attorney Eleneious Smith and an alleged
detective. The doors were closed, the
key-holes plugged up aud Deputy
Marshals were stationed at the
doors to keep out the inquisi-
tive. For two long hours the conference
went on, and when the doors were thrown
open the prisoner emerged calm, but
pale, and with look of resignation in
his eyes that showed that he had become
reconciled to his fate. AS result of the
prolonged interview, Mr. Smith held in
his hand few sheets of paper, on which
was the confession of the great coniacker.
While Mr.. White was resuming his jour-
ney to the Four Courts in the custody of
the Marshals, Mr.. Smith was engaged in
folding the precious document and care
fully placing it in one of the pigeon-holes
of Judge Drummond's safe.
When White reached the office of the
District Attorney he was informed Of
the strong chain of evidence against
him. Attorney Smith reviewed the case,
point by point, and demonstrated that
the Government would be aole to secure
conviction beyond the shadow OF doubt.
It was represented that the punishment,
in case ofconviction, would in all proba-
bility be the extreme penalty that
the law allowed, five years in prison at
hard labor. Mr.. Smith stated that while
the Government proposed to deal rigor-
ously with crime and criminals, it had no
intention of becoming an engine of OPP
preston. Where it was policy, there
fore, to be lenient, and when it could be
consistently done, the Government al
ways embraced the opportunity. If
he pleaded guilty, in all proba-
bility only slight sentence would be
imposed. OF course no guarantee could
be given, but in previous instances the
good offices of the District Attorney had
been used to the great benefit of the
prisoners. 1t was highly probable that
Judge Treat would impose sentence of
not more than year or two if the Gov
eminent was spared the time and trouble
of securing conviction.
White considered the matter for some
time, and finally decided for the sake of
his family to make a clean breast of the
affair. He made statement of his con-
nection with the Brazilian counterfeiting
scheme, Mr.. Smith taking down what
was said verbatim. AS soon as the pris-
oner was through, Mr. Smith transcribed
his notes and read the statement. White
made one or two trifing corrections,
tached his signature to the confession.
Mr.. Smith signed it as witness, and the
alleged detective followed suit.
White was seen at the Four Courts
last night by reporter, and asked If he
had signed confession. He answered
evasively and with marked hesitation
that showed that he had been prompted
to act part.
This strategic stroke of the Assistant
District Attorney will relieve the Gov
eminent of burdensome task, and will
be brilliant conclusion to Well-con-
Quoted campaign.
The maximum punishment that could
be given him if he is found guilty is five
years in the Penitentiary and fine of
81, 200.