The Osceola times., 1885-09-05
CONFESSED.

Lucius A. white, Arrested In st. Louis Tor
Procuring the Counter citing Of brazilian
Bank Notes, Gives the whole Snap Away
and Relieves the Government of n Good
Deal Of Trouble.
Sr. LOUIS, Mo-, August 29.-The Gov
ernment authorities have brought the
great Brazilian counterfelting case 70
very successful close by obtaining con-
fession from the chief party involved
Mr.. Lueius A. White. About five O'CLOCK
Yesterday afternoon Deputy Marshals
Hicks and Hawkins called at the -Four
Courts, obtained the prisoner ana escort
ed him with the utmost care to the Gus
tom House, where he was soon ushered
into the presence OF Assistant Dlstrict
Attorney Eleaeious Smith and an alleged
detective. The doors were closed, the
key.holes plugged up aud Deputy
Marshals were stationed at tne
doors TO keep out the lnquisi-
tive. For two long hours the conference
went on, and when the doors were thrown
open the prisoner emerged calm, but
pale, aud with look Of resignation In
his eyes that showed that he had become
reconciled to his fate. As a 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 resumlng his jour-
pey to the Four Courts In the custody OF
the Marshals, Mr.. Smith was engaged In
folding the precious document and care
fully placing 1t 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 able to secure
conviction beyond lhe shadow OF doubt.
1t was represented that the punishment,
In case OF conviction, would In all proba-
blllty be the extreme penalty that
the law allowed, five years In prison al
hard labor. Mr.. Smith stated that while
the Government proposed to deal rigor-
ously with crime and criminals, 1t had no
intention OF becoming an engine OF OPP
preston. Where 1t was policy, there
fore, to be lenient, and when 1t could be
consistently done, the Government al.
ways embraced the opportunity. ii
he pleaded guilty, in all proba'
bility only a slight sentence would be
imposed. OF course no guarantee could
be given. but In previous Instances the
good Offices Of the District A torney had
been used TO the great benefit OF the
prisoners. Il was highly probable that
Judge Treat would impose sentence oi
not more than year or two II the Gov
ernment was spal ed the time and trouble
Of securing conviction.
White considered the matter for some
time, and finally decided for the sake oi
his family TO make clean breast OF the
affair. He made statement OF his con-
nectlon with the Brazilian counierfeitinc
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 tri6lng corrections,
seized pen and with Arm hand at
tached his signature TO the confession.
Mr.. Smith signed II as witness, and the
alleged detective followed suit.
White was seen at the Four Courts
last night by q reporter, aud asked II h,
had signed a confession. He answered
evasively and with q marked hesitation
that showed that he had been prompted
" This If strategic er stroke of the Assistant
District Attorney will relieve the Gov
ernment OF a burdensome task, and will
be- q brilliant conclusion 10 a well-con
Quoted campaign.
The maximum punishment that could
be given him II he is found guilty is five
years in the Penitentiary and fine o
81 900.