The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-02
M'COOMBS 4 FORGER.
Ex-Relief Agent Arrested On .
Second Charge.
THE FIRST CASE DID NOT STICK.
Ne II Now Held On . charge ~ Hsrg-
Ing = B~a<Aeissyss 9sdesss-
n~ue % . Chseh.

After 9 preliminary hearing YESTERDAY
Afternoon Justice Miller refused 70 bold ex-
s>cressry J. r. Mccoombs, OF the RELIEF
COMMITTEES. On the charge Of enabezzIIng VIC
drawn Tor Mrs. Maggie eeilars. one OF ths
h<us6cssrses OF the committee. and ordered
him discharged from custody.
The portiy ex-atssche Of the relief com
rniftee did not enjoy freedom long enough
TO arise from his seat In the courtroom, for
be wss Immediately rearrested on charge
OF utssssnr . forged check, knowing the
same 20 BE- forged On this charge his bail
was fred at $50. which amount he fur
nished last evening. and was allowed 70 90
free for the time being
rHg rxKI1xFxAET HxAEfss.
Tho preiimin airy hearing on the charge
Of embarrassment began at o'clock yester-
day afternoon. The defendant was present
with his attorneys II. p. Aibersson and
George ponwoyth. Prosecuting Attorney
r. III. Carr represented the state. When
Judge Miller rapped the crowd OF fifty
spectators that flied the courtroom to
order. Attorney Albertson arose and en-
tered plea OF not guilty for his client. lie
added that he was ready to proceed with
the hearing. and Attorney Carr also signi-
fed his readiness By calling Jacob Furth,
cashier OF the Puget Sound National bank,
~ his first witness.
Mr.. Furth identified the check or order
on the treasurer OF the relief COMMITTEES for
so payable TO Phillip seilars and signed by
John Leary. chairman, and J. r. Nc
Coombs. secretary. In answer to Attorney
Cars questions he testified as follows:
"Thas order was cashed at our bank on
April II. We were acting in the absence Of
Governor T.. r. Ferry as treasurer Of the
relief COMMITTEES" The witness was then
turned over to the defense for cross-exami-
nation. He would not say when he first
saw The order, but knew IL was paid on
April IL.
John Leary vas next sworn. For the
prosecution he identified his and Me-
coombs' signatures on the order. and for
the defense he testified that he was sure
that he bad signed the order on April /.
lie had no recollection OF the circumstances
OF the case aud was excused.
Prosecuting Attorney Carr then offered
the check in evidence. and called Mrs.
Maggie selIars 10 the stand. II came
here to live from Tacoma in November
last" testified Mrs. selars. my husband
gave me letter applying for relief to the
committee. and took IL down 70 Mr.. Nc
Coombs' Office on the morning OF May IL.
My daughter was with me. Agent Nc
Coombs was not in and We called again
early in the afternoon and found
him. We three were in the COM
mittec room alone. | handed the
defendant my husbands application.
He went out and remained away nearly an
hour, and when be returned he called me
over 10 the desk and requested me to sign
my name on piece OF paper. started 10
do so aud then he told me to sign my hus-
bands name. did not see the face OF the
paper. Agent McCoombs then gave me
$40 grceuback. told him that my hus-
band was sick and that had five children
to support. and did not think that enough.
He told me TO make the best of 1t. iden-
tify the signature on the back OF that check
offered In evidence here as mine"
did You understand that you were get
ting all that the check called for 2" asked
Prosecuting Attorney Carr.
II thought $780,"
II object" said Attorney Albertson.
THE witness has no right to suppose any
thing In giving testimony. She can only
testify To what she actually knows to be
facts He and the states attorney then
argued the question for ten minutes and
in the end the question was allowed.
II thought so at the time" continued
the witness. Il never saw the check again
until today"
The cross-essmina,ion revealed little or
nothing. Attorney Aibertson attempted
to prove by the prosecuting witness that
she and her husband were prejudiced
against the defendant, and were revenging
themselves on him. bat the witness. after
discisiming any malice, earnestly said
I'VE are not that kind of people" The
cross-examinaticn lasted a full hour, dur
ing which time Prosecuting Attorney Carr
objected three times to the character OF
the testimony and questions propounded.
The witness was finally excused and the
prosecution rested. Attorney Albertson
had no witnesses to examine for the de-
fense aud the arguments began. Prose-
cutting Attorney Carr cut his remarks to
three minutes and the defendants attorney
his 10 five minutes, and the case was sub
mitted.
Justice Miller Immediately rendered his
decision. lie commented first upon the
scculisrisies Of the case and then on the
testimony. lie declined 10 bind the de-
fendant over. holding that the prosecution
had not established case against him, and
ordered his release from custody.
ARRESTED ON ASorHEs CHARGE.
As the justice finished speaking he picked
. paper Up of bis desk aud handed IL 10
Constable Robinson. directing him 10 serve
IL upon Mecoomhs. Is proved to be war.
RAM for the arrest of that individual upon
charge of uftering forged cheek, and n
was served upon him before he left his
seat Met'oorabs took tina matter rather
lightly, acting IS II he had ANTICIPATED
something of she kind. Justice Miller inn
n'ediately fixed MeCoombs' bonds AT $50 i.
which he refused TO cut down in spite OF
the protest OF Attorney Aieertson. ana set
the hearing Of the case for Monday morn.
ing at 10 O'Clock. NJ cCoombs started out
in charge OF oticer Ramsge 10 search for
eondsmen or bail money. lie succeeded
IN raising the required amount IN cash a. !
o'e4sck last oyeRing and vas allowed his
Liberty
tbs caAsaS cF FogsEEv.
The case apon the strength Of which Nc
Seomh> was rearrcSsed was worked up By
Detective RodseFs. One OF the thirteen
eases looked inso BY Officer Rarcs vas that
a Ms. Maroney, who lives ~ Washington
and toaFtseath streets, She stated that
ste bad received certain Amauns 81 gro
cessss on an order soS 50 worth. bar had
never seen tae eaesk. yes Mr.. Mcs'corn hs
presented Il 10 the Pnre, Sound National
hank and bad Il caShea on The strength O:
her Endorsement The Detectives are con.
bdeni shsi they can secure NcCooussss'