New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-13
JAEHNE'S CLERK CONFESSES.
ALTER TELLS. OF HIS MASTERS WORK
WITH THIEVES AND ALDERMEN.


wIrHHOLDs NAMES But SAYS THAT WELL
KNOWN PERSONS ARE IMPLICATED
THE CASE AGAINST BRIBE-
TAKERS STRENGTH
ENED.
An arrest was made last week which Is con-
sdered BY Inspector Byrnes be Of great Importance
because material has been gathered which will open up
an entirely chapter in the interesting history OF ho
boodio " Aldermen and their peculiar methods IL is
considered by the Inspector to be the missing link IN the
chain OF which has encrced the boode Doard
Tho person is George Alter, the confidential clerk
OF Alderman Jaehna He was arrested in Varck-s1'
near William Harneys liquor store last Thursday, ny
Detectives Radford Connor and Van Gerchten, OF tho
Central ofiicc
Alter has been in the city for the last ten days lie
oame from his hiding place in Canada. Inspector
Byrnes's men have been informed to his movements
Tor months, aud knew OF his arrival III
THIS city He was not arrested when he
first came as deemed advisable to watch him and
see With HON he had communication as from whas Is
known of his relations with several prominent people,
was expected that he would want to see them. lie
Kept quiet however, aud as 1t was evident that
nothing could be gained by delay he was taken
into custody. lie not startled when arrested Dut
seemed to he expecting 1t. He was taken to Poico
Headquarters and when he entered the private Office
OF Inspector Byrnes he broke down completely. The
long strain that he had under hat destroyed his
--
tho quoer customers in Jaenne's iewelry
store, he was, In appearance. an old mau with
the lines OF age and upon his face. HIS hahus
trembled and shook lie told his and business to
the sergeant who entered tho formal record OF his
arrest, aud tears often to his eyes.
Inc charge against him ie perjury
When Jaehne's case. was before the Senate
investigating Committee. Alter called as witness
The hearing WAS lu tho Post Office Building. His est
mony was in favor of Jaehne and Dstrlct-Attorney
Marne knew IL to be false IL considered doubtful
whether Alter conld be held by the local authorities for
perjury committed United States property; so the
District Attorney got Mr. Seward to call Alter as wit
before the Senate Investigating Committee when 1t
met in the County Court House. He there repeated sub
santay what he had before testified to aud the case
OF perjury made ont and brought within the Juris
diotion OF the NewYork authorities The case was
brought the Grand Jury and Alter was Indicted
He was among the missing when the officers went 10
arrest him, aud he has kept OF the way since.
When Alter was arrested, after he had spent
few hours IN tho cell where Aldermanlc
feet have trod, Inspector Byrnes had nun
brought to his room and questioned MIN
closely. A.er "odisn" at first, but after the
proper of twisting had been done hc opened the
6oodgates aud told all he knew about Jaehne
and his business and several other people
whose names are withheld by Inspector
Byrnes for prudential reasons. The confession
OF Alter reduced writing Inspector Byrnes re-
fused yesterday give it out entirely for puocation
but WAS willing state such portions OF 1t as would not
Interfere with future to be taken by District
Attorney MARITIME.
Alter saws in his confession that he to work for
Jaebne In 1875. Jachne at that time was in Europe
with ANDY" Curtain and Jim stewart, TWO
-known theves Curtain Is now serving sentence
In London. Jaehnes business with these thieves was 10
dispose stolen property which they had picked
up America. through his agent or friends In London
IA mt kuOw IN JaANue5
business before going with nm. but after he got into
the tn ng and found out that was crooked he mad
mixed up with the affair that he could not
out. Alter was Jaehnes confidence and knew nearly
every thing ABOUT his affairs, many details or whch Nc
gives.
In January last Jaehne had long talk with Alter
about the business. The Alderman was then feeling
little troubled about beng Investigated aud did not
think that 1t would appear well IL II leaked out that ne
taking Of stolen goods. He thought misht not
be consistent with his holding public oce so ne pro-
posed to transfer his interest the store at 4 Brooe
Alter II not to be bona hde transfer oeing
done only blind. After to do the bus as ana
aenne to take the profits Alter consented to the ar
rangcment and Luke Grimes, Eighth ward
polite an and a friend OF Jaehnes was called
draw up the papers ana give Iho up
pearance OF legality TO the transfer Dill OF SAFE was
made. Alter gave his notes in payment Tor the store
and apparently took possession Jaehne then felt Sc
The notes by Alter came due and Jaehhe lou hi
that he need not pay any attention to them
Everything went along smoothly until March le "ne"
Jaehne Was arrested He gave bail Tor SZo'OOo' 'he
day following Jaehne intended TO "sRip ana forfeit MS
bonds. He talked with Alter about It, He bade several
OF his friends farewell Before going he called upon
severa! politicians who told him that his Hight would
be equivalent TO confession Of guilt. and he
was persuaded to He had MADE
his arrangements to go at 1880 p NJ, March 49, ou'
decided that best to stay. When MS pans hau
been changed he sent for Alter and MADE an appoint
meut 10 meet at in Broome A. late al nsnt
Jashne also instructed Alter to the ohico OF the
Burglar Alarm Telegraph Company and tell them tna'
the sale was going opened late that night and that
they need OF any notice Of the alarm being runs
Alter did as directed.
when he got to the Jaehne was there. II was
late at night lights low. Jsehne had just
opened the safe aud had taken several packages and
laid them OH a chair. The Alderman was nervous ana
waIchfu. While he was removing some
,swelry from an Inner OF the safe there was
loud bang IN hallway. Jaehne jumped as II shot
aud looked the door Of the store as respecting 10
be Durst in. lie told Acr to 60 out and SEQ what nsde
the noise Alter went. and reported that he could not
see any one Jaehne pale and excited and went on
taking things out OF the SAFE Then there was aho'her
bang and o movement that sounded like footsteps
1--WE are watched" Jaehue exclaimed In frightened
tone lie hurredy picked up the packages lhal lie hau
removed, put them back In the safe anu locked u.
then went through the hallway to the street and
walked away quickly. Tho next morning early Jaehne
ope ned the safe again and took away all the tnnss
what they Alter docs not know. In
tho evening Jaehne sent for Alter to como 10
his house. The Alderman was exceedingly nervous
when he got there There several packages neatly
done up IN priv ate room. Jaohne said
Alter take these packages and threw them into tho
| river"
Alter refused st first and Jaehne became 80 excited
that he consented to do as requested. Jaehhe
did not say what was In the PACKAGE"
Il WAS nearly midnight when Alter lett the
house with tho bundles He did not open them
10 nd out what they contained. but walked quickly 10
the foot OF -s boarded ferrybost goiug To
Hoboksn and when the boat in tho middle OF the
river ho threw them overheard. Inspector Byrhcs $
comment this part of the statement was ihst the