Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-19
Mustn't OFFER BRIBES.
The Practice Declared to Be Against
Public Policy in a
SUIT AGAINST A COUNTY OFFICIAL.
A Bi-Sulphide Of Carbon Victim Loses His
Suit For Damages.
ALL THE NEWS OF THE COUNTY COURTS

The suit of Anthony O'Brien against ex.
County Detective William Langhorst was
tried before Judge Ewing yesterday. 1t
resulted in q verdict for the defendant, the
same being rendered without the jury leav-
ing the box O'Brien wanted to recover
$500. which he claimed he had paid Mr..
Laushorst, while the latter was county de-
tective, in consideration of promise that
Thomas O'Brien, the prosecutors son,
should receive immunity from arrest for
keeping a disorderly house. Thomas had
been tried and convicted, but skipped his
bail. He was suddenly brought into court
on process and sent to the workhouse for
10 months
A. H. Rowand represented O'Brien,
while j. Scott Ferguson looked after the
interest of Mr.. Langhorst.
Thomas O'Brien was brought from the
workhouse and was the first witness exam
ined
Came Back to Pittsburg Too Soon.
He related his travels around the country
from the early part of 1881, when he skipped
his bail, until June of last year, when he
wandered back to Pittsburg on the sup
position that he was not to be arrested.
Anthony O'Brien told story to the effect
that after the sentence of his son in june,
1891, he met Langhorst in tine Court House,
when the latter said that Judge Porter,
formerly District Attorney, ''got the big
halr' of the money, but he might get his son
out again. He then referred to the first con-
yersation which he said took place in his
saloon in 1887, when he paid Langhorst $500
on condition that Tom, who was then in
Cincinnati, would be allowed to come home
without fear of prosecution. The money was
in the hands o; Mrs. O'Brien when Langhorst
called and she gave it TO him.
Mrs. O'Brien, the next witness. said that
on the morning of December Is. 1887, she and
her husband drew all the money they had
from the Bank of Pittsburg. In the after
noon the defendant called at their place and
come Tor the money" She gave $500 to her
husband and the two men went into the
small room. She heard Langhors1 say: tom
will come back, but you must keep him on
the avenue"
Might Get Tom Out Again.
Thomas O'Brieu was recalled. He said
that when he was at the West Penn Depot
on his way to Claremont, Langhorst was
there and said it was not his fault, and that
he would try and get him out.
Mr. Ferguson here asked for a non-suit,
but it was refused. The defense was brief.
Mr. Langhorst testified that he had gone to
O'Brien's saloon in response to message,
but he denied all the conversations about
money A letter from Judge Porter written
to Attorney Rowand, while His Honor was
District Attorney, WAS offered in evidence.
In it he disclaimed all knowledge o! any
such transaction as had been laid at MI.
Langhorst's door.
The testimony then closed. and Mr.. Fereu-
son in closing asked for a verdict for the de-
fendant on the ground that it is against the
hi iax-f m hri1l a al ha
was so instructed and q verdict rendered
accordingly.
The whole case was disposed of at the
morning session of court.