The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-01-01

Criminal cases OF the Century-A Crime
That Tarnished the Fame Of England's
Pet Detective Force.
In December. 1875, remarkable trial
took place before Baron Pollock at the
| Did Bailey, London. Great Britain
Invoke one morning to find that the most
trusted officials of Scotland Yard had
been receiving large brides from gang
of noted criminals. Curr and Benson
the latter Of whom committed suicide in
this country few years ago-were I'M
dergoing long term of penal servitude
for what were known as the 'sgreat turf
frauds" While in prison they rendered
certain evidence to the British govern
lnent which led to the arrest Of Chief
Detective Inspector Clark, Detective In
spectors Druscovitch, Meihleiohn and
Palmer, with their legal adviser and at
torney, Edward Froggat, attorney at
law.
The news sent a shock throughout the
British islands. The police force in gen.
eral was not by any means considered
immaculate, but the great bureau of de-
lection at Scotland Yard was entirely
exempt from q shadow of suspicion.
Every effort had been made to hush up
the case, so as not to shake the conf
dence of the public. Dismissal, with
consequent less of large pensions, was,
it was urged, sufficient punishment, but
the home secretary was memorable, and
the trial went On.
81 was present during several days of
| its duration, said the Englishman. The
detectives were confident of acquittal,
being ignorant of the overwhelming evil
dence in the hands of the prosecution.
Their look Of confidence changed into
one of CONSERVATION when, close cropped
and haggard, clad in the hideous striped
dress of the felon, upon which from head
to foot was stamped the government
broad arrow, Harry Benson, the notori-
! GUS swindler, entered the witness box.
He was a man of education and
marked ability, q first class linguist and
capable Of mixing in the best society.
| The defense was ably conducted, but no
cross examination could shake the con-
vict, who now had his natural enemies
in his tolls and fer once was telling the
truth. Curr followed and in every point
corroborated his fellow prisoner. He be-
longed to q lower grade than Benson,
but possessed considerable force Of intel
lect. So much for the evidence Of brib-
cry, which, it may be said, came from a
tainted source.
But kilograms were produced show
ing that when in pursuit the detec-
lives wired the conyicts of their move
ments, warning them to fly. Time after
time, when close ON their track, these
| messages were sent and subsequent meet
ings We're held in London, where hun
drcds of pounds were paid over to these
sleuth hounds of the law. Froggat, the
lawyer, was also in the conspiracy and
rendered services Of q technical nature.
He and Clark we're out on bonds and
quite confident of acquittal.
"The first relied on lack Of evidence;
the chief inspector had stronger grounds.
| For years he had been body detective to
the Prince of Wales, and during his at
tendance on his royal highness it may be
supposed that he had acquired secret
knowledge of his actions which the
crown officials would not like divulged.
That knowledge is power was proved
in this instance, for it certainly enabled
! Clark to elude the meshes of the law.
'The judge charged the jury dead
against the inspectors and Froggat, but
was very light on the chief In fact the
crown produced very little testimony
against him. After an absence of about
an hour the jury returned. The verdict
was Guilty as against the four minor
detectives and the lawyers, Not guilty
as against Clark, who at once left the
dock.
Have You anything to say, Drasco-
WITCH asked the judge, why sentence
should not be pronounced upon you?
"The prisoner made fine speech-he
could speak six languages-in which he
referred to long services rendered, the
ruin which his conviction involved, the
overwhelming nature of the temptation
and finally his helpless wife and family.
The other officers followed in similar
strain and with fearful eloquence begged
for mercy. These men, who had mer-
cilessly fastened the steel handouts on
victims innumerable made a piteous
spectacle when in the strong grasp OF
the law. Their pleadings were of little
avail, and after reminding them Of the
scandal they had brought upon their
| profession, the baron sentenced them to
two years imprisonment with hard la.
bor-this was the severest punishment
available under the act of parliament
and before they fully realized their doom
they were hustled out Of sight into the
cells of the Old Bailey.
'Froggat's turn now came, and it was
generally thought his sentence would be
lighter.
81 have special sympathy for you,
Edward Froggat,' concluded the Judge.
You belong to the same honorable pro-
fession as do myself. Much is intrusted
to US and much is expected of us. In
sentencing you do so with pain and re-
luctance, but cannot see any reason for
reducing the term of mprisonment-two
years with hard labor
'This came on the wretched man like
a thunderbolt, and, bursting into hys-