The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-28
SMUGGLERS ON TRIAL.
Edwin A. Gardner Called to Plead in the
United States Court at Auburn, N. Y.

AUBURN, N. Y, Nov. 27.-Ths first of the
famous opium smuggling cases was moved at
the opening of the United States Court this
morning. The defendant is Edwin A. Gardner,
and he has been indicted for smuggling an ag-
eregate of $500 pounds of opium, upon which
the customs duty, at $40 per pound, amounted
to $35, GOO. Gardner was once a special agent of
the government, when he acquired full knowl-
edge of methods of customs collections. He
was arrested in February, while attempting to
remove a sleigh.load of struggled opium from
Jefferson county for shipment west. A hidden
store-houss of the smugg!ers was also found.
and $50 pounds of opium was recovered. Gard
ner claimed to be a government officer working
up a case. Officers searched his hiding place
aud unearthed an old tool.chest which must
have been used in conveying opium across the
St Lawrence. It had compartments fitted
to hold half-pound packages OF opium in
cans. One OF the branches OF the case Is a trial
for conspiracy. which is expected to take place
at this term OF court. The captured opium had
been placed in the Oedensburg custom-house,
and the case of conspiracy IL an alleged combi-
nation to steal the opium packages and substi-
tute blocks OF wood, for the double purpose Of
getting the opium and destroying the evidence.
After 800 pounds had been removed tho plot
was discovered Deputy Internal Revenue Col
lector Little, whose Office is next to the room in
which the opium was stored; Lawyer Stone and
janitor Comisky were arrested on charge Of
conspiracy and theft. Gardner, who had given
bail, was subsequently, again arrested at Chi
cago while trying to sell the opium. He had
been dickering with Cinnamon. who went to the
customs officer to see IL it was all right, and the
officers saw that it was struggled.
John c. Haines, a prominent lawyer OF Seat
tie, w. T., is also one OF the defendants in this
part Of the case. Gardner was brought into
court at 10 this morning. HIS eyes are weak.
gresham Richard Crowley. of Lockport. APP
peared as his counsel. United States District
Attorney Lockwood and Assistant Hoyt repre-
sented the government. A jury was obtained
in an hour, and Assistant Hoyt opened the case.
relating the story OF the smuggling operations
as given 10 the foregoing. The first witness
called for the government was j. Chandler
Houghton, special agent OF the Treasury De-
partment. He testified to arr.sting Gardner
and his cousin, Ephraim Redwood, and confs-
eating their trunks. He searched Redwoods
barn and found $50 poucds of opium concealed
amongst baled hay. Four trunks of opium were
brought into court and identified as confiscated
goods. Albert Rowland, deputy collector at
Morristown. who was with Houghton when he
made the arrest, corroborated his testimony.
After a recess many witnesses for the govern
ment were examined. VIM. II. Daniels, excel
lsctor of the port of Oedensburg. testified that
Gardner had told him about a LOT OF opium being
shipped TO San Francisco. and that if the matter
of his arrest could be kept quiet he would tell at
the proper time who shipped il.
Professor Latimer. of Rochester University.
testified that be had analysed the substance
seized from the Gardeners, and that 1t was opium.
The government closed the case this evening,
and ex-Congressman Richard Crowley, counsul
for Gardner. asked the court 90 direct a verdict
of not guilty, on the ground that the Indictment
did not follow the language of the statutes and
did not charge the defendant with brin ging at
article into the United States upon which 8 duty
was levied. The Indictment describes the
Struggled opium as smoking opium in the re
vised statutes it is described as ''oplum pre-
pared for smoking" The court denied the mo
morrow morning.