Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-02-01
Mprkrille Gmqmirer.
YORKVILLE, s. G. Z:
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1888.
4 "GREEN GOODS" VICTIM.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1888.
A "GREEN GOODS" VICTIM.
County Commissioner Perkins, of Lam
caster, has suddenly acquired an unenvi-
able notoriety by theavidity with which
he swallowed the tempting bait of a New
York sharper. On the 9th of December,
he left Lancaster for the purpose of depos-
iting with the Boston Safe Deposit and
Trust Company the township bonds of
Lancaster county in aid of the Charleston,
Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad. 1t ap-
pears that he performed this duty prompt
ly and satisfactorily, but on his return
homehe decided to stop over in New York
and spend a day. While sauntering along
Broadway he was met by a "saw DUST or
''green goods" swindler named Rogers.
The latter said he had met Perkins before,
but Perkins could not remember Rogers,
until he explained that he had formerly
been a merchant in Charleston, and had
met Perkins in Lancaster. Rogers then
brought about a confidential conversation
offering for sale ''green goods" and ex-
planned the utter impossibility of detec-
ton. Perkins became interested. Rogers
told him that Government officials devo-
ted millions of green goods yearly to their
own private use, and there was no reason
why Perkins should not make money, too.
So plausible was Rogers story that the
cupidity of Perkins yielded, and on his re-
turn home he secured four hundred dollars
for the purpose of investing in the tempt
ing greenbacks. On Sunday of last week
he returned to New York and again met
Rogers, but detectives were watching
them. Perkins sent a messenger to Wall
street on Monday and exchanged $3.50 in
silver for bills. All the arrangements for
the transfer of the green goods were effect
ed and the exchange was to be made at
Desbrosses ferry. At the ferry the pair
were arrested. Rogers tried to shoot the
detectives, but the revolver was twisted
out of his hand as it went off. No one
was hurt. At police headquarters Rogers
was searched and $500, which Perkins had
paid him for green goods valued at $4,000,
was found. In Perkins valise the stuff
was found. AS usual the packages of bills
contained blank green paper, with but $50
worth of bills around them.
Rogers was sent to police headquarters
and Perkins to the house of detention.
On Friday the case was brought up in the
Tombs Police Court, before Police Justice
Welde. Perkins made a statement eX-
planning the circumstances attending his
purchase of the "green goods" when he
was subjected to the following catechising
by Lawyer Hummel, as reported in the
World:
Mr.. Hummel, in soft, persuasive accents
and with much apparent friendliness, got
at him and elected the information that
he was a farmer and owned q saw mill.
ooh, you do?" said Mr.. Hummel, rails,
ing his eyebrows and smiling sweetly.
land you hold a public Office"
Eyes, sir; 1 am County Commissioner OF
Lancaster county," said the astute South
erner, looking as if he wished very much
that he wasn't.
"What are your duties?"
"Well, I have to take care of the build
ing of the county roads and look after the
paupers, and l have charge of the county
bonds and finances. / look after the buy
ing and selling of bonds"
1.-THE office-let me see-is an elective
?"
EYES,"
"Then you possess the confidence of the
voters of Lancaster county
eyes, sir, l do. And l deserve it,"
"Ah! You are an honest man"
Eyes, sir, I am"
"Now, Mr.. Perkins, l suppose you are
conversant with the laws Of the land,
which make it a felony to have in ones
possession or to utter or pass counterfeit
money!"
"Well, no; I don't know much about
Them"
"What! Do you mean to tell us that
YOU, a County Commissioner, and having
in charge the county finances, don't know
the laws against counterfeit money"
Mr.. Perkins hemmed and hawed and
finally owned up that he didn't know it
was unlawful to deal in counterfeit money.
But he had not attempted to purchase
what he understood to be counterfeit
money. Well, what had he come to New
York for? 10 get ''green goods" he said.
"What did you understand green goods
to mean ?" No answer. "Vegetables?'
No answer. "Paperhangings: Cassi.
meres: Dress goods? Beans: Any kind
of wearing materials" asked Lawyer
Hummel, impatiently.
No, it wasn't exactly that. 1t was a
kind of money, he admitted and he tried
to explain that it did not come within his
understanding of counterfeit money, be-
cause it was too good a counterfeit; it
would pass for real, and therefore he con-
sidered it equivalent to good money. He
had paid $500 for what he supposed to be
virtually S 1000 of crisp new bills.
Then Lawyer Hummell swelled with
virtuous Indignation, and the South Caro-:
linian found that his soft-spoken friend
was an enemy in disguise. "After this
answer" said the lawyer, sit would be an
insult to your Honor to %prolongthis exam
ination. This honest, respectable, pseudo
saWdust farmer-fnancier insults the en-
perience and every day common sense OF
every person within the sound OF my
voice, when ne tries to impose upon the
Court by urging that he came here to buy
$4,000 in good money for $500. The widest
stretch of your legal imagination could not
%coniure a case of larceny from these facts
that would hold water in any criminal
court. I ask you to consult the District
Attorney if you have any doubt on this
point. He must sustain me-"
Justice Welde then adjourned the case
until Saturday morning, when Rogers was
discharged from custody and Perkins told
to 90 home. Justice Welde refused to
grant an order directing the $500 to be re-