The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-13
THE DONOHUE SUTHERLAND CASE

There has been so much in the pa
pers of late concerning this case, that
we print the following dispatches in
order to show the claims Of both sides.
WILKES BARRE, March S.-Another
and sensational feature in the case
against H. +. Sutherland, of Hazleton,
charged with sending indecent matter
through the mails, came to light yester-
day.
Sutherland, as already reported, was
charged with sending through the mails
printed circulars libeling Rev. John
Donohue, now presiding elder of the
Danville District of the Methodist
Church. He was arrested Saturday,
February 28, in Hazleton by Deputy
United States Marshal Barring and
brought to this city.
. On Monday he gave a judgment
note for $4,000 to Rev. John Dona-
hue, $4,000 of which was assigned to
Marshal Barring, and on Tuesday the
case was practically withdrawn, and he
was discharged on his own recogniz-
ance.
Yesterday, Hon, John Lynch, attor-
ney for Mr. Sutherland, made an ap-
plication to Judge Woodward, sitting
in chambers, for a rule to open this
judgment for $40, 900, on the ground
that the note had been extorted from
him by threats and coercion.
Mr.. sUTHERLAND's STORY.
In support of this Mr.. Sutherland
made affidavit to an extraordinary
story, which, if true, makes the whole
case look very much like conspiracy
to blackmail. His story, under oath,
is substantially as follows: On Satur-
day, February IS, the arrests were
made. Marshal Barring and Detec-
tive James O'Brien went down to
Hazleton armed with warrant
They arrested Sutherland and George
Maue, editor of the Sentinel, in the
evening, allowing them no time to
communicate with friends, but dragged
them off to the train. In utter def
ance of the law they refused to allow
them to enter bail at Hazleton. Both
Sutherland and Maue demanded to be
taken before United States Commits
sioner Hill, at Hazleton, and stated
that they were ready to enaer bail to
any amount for a further hearing
for appearance at court.
But Barring refused to allow any
thing of the kind. The two men were
hustled off to the station and put on
board train. They were separated
and not allowed to see each other
again.
Barring stuck close to Sutherland.
In going to the station Mr.. Sutherland
had met C. w. Kline. a prominent
Hazelton attorney, and told him he
was under arrest. Mr.. Kline stated
that he would telegraph to John Lynch
to meet MIR. Sutherland at Wilkes Barre
and look after his interests. Barring
and O, Brien heard this, and Suther-
land never got chance to see Mr..
Lynch.
At the Wilkes-Barre station they
were taken away separately. George
Maue was escorted at once to Com
missioner Hahn's Office, where he was
admitted to bail for fur rther appear
ance on the following Tuesday. There
was no testimony taken. Nothing
could be secured from Mr.. Maue, and
no attempt was made to induce him
to settle But very different vas the
treatment of Mr.. Sutherland He was
taken by Marshal Barring from the
train to the residence of Mr.. Barring,
on South Main Street, and up to a
third floor room. Here Barring en-
larged upon the enormity of his crime,
and told him that he would be sent to
the penitentiary for many years, all his
property taken from him, and his fam
lily ruined and disgraced for life.
Then Commissioner Hahn and De-
tecttve James O'Brien came around to
Earrings residence. The poor old
mans fears were again worked on, and
having reduced him to a sufficiently
desperate condition, he was allowed to
!, ~. IlC Wto tdhCll W lllC LuZcTle
House and registered as Mr.. Williams,
of Williamsport. He stayed there un-
til Monday morning, and all day Sum
day, and Sunday night. Barring watch
ed him, keeping him under his thumb,
, allowing him to communicate with no
one
On Monday morning Rev. Samuel
Sears, of Bloomsburg, arrived on the
scene. He was an intimate friend of
Sutherland's, but he sided with the
r prosecution, enlarged on the fearful
consequences of a conviction, and
, urged sutherland to settle.
Then the final act began. Suther-
land was told that for $4,000 the
whole matter could be hushed up and
} settled, the prosecution would be
f dropped, and nothing would ever be.
come known to the public.