The Magnolia gazette., 1885-09-04
CONFESSED.

u
Lucius A. White, Arrested In st. Louis for
Procuring the Counterieiting of Brazilian
Bank Notes, Gives the Whole Snap Away
and Relieves the Government of Good
Deal of Trouble. IL Ses wrvAg
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, August 29.-The Gov
ernment 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 !
tom House, where he was soon ushered
into the presence of Assistant District
Attorney Meneious 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 doorswere thrown
open the prisoner emerged calm, but
pale, and with look of resignation In
bis 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 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-hoies
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 the shadow OF a doubt.
1t was represented that the punishment,
In case of fconvictiop, would in all proba-
bility 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, it had nc
intention Of becoming an engine OF op
preston. Where it was policy, there
fore, to be lenient, and when it could bt
consistently done, the Government al
ways embraced the opportunity. L
he pleaded guilty, in all proba
bility only slight sentence would b.
imposed. Of course no guarantee coul'
be given, but In previous instances tn
good offices of the District Attorney ha'
been used to the great benefit of tn
prisoners. 1t was highly probable tina
Judge Treat would impose a sentence 0
not more than year or two il the Gov
ernment was spared the time and troubl
OF securing conviction.
White considered the matter for som
time, and finally decided for the sake o
his family to make clean breast of tn
affair. He made statement of his con
nection with the Brazilian counterfeitin
scheme, Mr.. Smith taking down vha
was said verbatim. As soon as the pris
oner was through, Mr.. Smith transcrbe
his notes and read the statement. Whit
made one or two trifling corrections
seized pen and with firm hand a
tached his signature to the confession
Mr.. Smith signed it as witness. and th
alleged detective followed suit.
White was seen at the Four Court
last night by reporter, and asked if
had signed confession. He answere
evasively asd with marked hesitatio
that showed that he had been prompte
to act a part.
This strategic stroke of the Assistal
District Attorney will relieve the Go
ernment OF burdensome task, and WI
be a brilliant conclusion to a well Co
Quoted campaign. .aF \
} The maximum punishment that cou
be given him If he is found guilty is fi'
years in the Penitentiary and a fine
$1,000. A ss .Aagot.