Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-24

Father Columbia Tells the Court About Hi
Various Enterprises.

Various Enterprises.
Today the fourth day Of the trial of
Father Columbia on q charge OF vagrancy and
suspicion. and when court convened Father
Columbia resumed the stand and continued the
story Of his life and actions since
he was four years old. Yesterday
according to the statements of the defendant
his wealth had reached $4,000 and today it
rose to the amount of 5000. 000, 900. That lie
said the value of the property Of the
Harlem syndicate, which had twenty miles Of
river front.
Defendant impressed upon the court the idea
that he did not care to own any money or
property in his own name, but he acted as
agent or trustee.
He presented q certificate Of the Harlem
syndicate bearing the signature c. " Coen,
president, and II Standiford. secretary. The
certificate showed that Father Columbia was
the owner of 1866 shares based upon the capi-
tai stock of the Harlem Associated Heirs Title
Company.
Among other things he said he was al one
time elected district attorney of Richlsnd
county, Ohio, and was private secretary to
Stephen A. Douglass when the latter ran for
President.
He was introduced to John Kelly. the Tam
many chief. Benjamin +. Butler. he said. was
his counsel at one time and had he lived he
would have been in this case instead of Mr..
Williamson.
Among those he mentioned as persons he had
known in some way or other were Peter
Cooper Jere S. Black Gen. Fremont, John
Sherman, Warner Miller. George w. Geddes,
b. +. Shively, Henry Nicholas, Secretary Fos-
ter. Judge BARLEY, Roger A. Pryor. Henry /.
Raymond and John Swinton.
He had built mills, had been arrested for
lbels and had been acquitted. had spent three
days in Ludlow street Jail on a false charge
and is now under bail in New York on a charge
of libel
STEAMBOAT ENTERPRISE.
Defendant explained his business transactions
in this city well as in other cities, among
them being the running of a steamboat on the
Hudson river. where he carried passengers for
10 cents, a much lower price than had ever
before been charged
His particular mission was to test the ques-
ton of the right TO land at any dock. He had
trouble when he attempted to land at Yonkers.
and he had his men engage in battle with
rocks.
The result was that the docks were declared
open to the public and the persons who were
arrested were prosecuted For fifteen years,
he said, be had been selling sewing machines.
ANY fool, he said, "can sell sewing ma
chimes easily as he can pour water out OF a
tin cup. In three months 1 sold 1000 Grover
Baker machines at $40 each. l paid - so
apiece for them. The reason why Others can't
sell machines is because they ask too much for
them"
In addition to these be said he sold more
than q. 600 of another pattern that is made by
the Home Company for him.
Mr.. Pugh questioned the defendant about his
family and he said that after his name was
changed be and his wife were remarked.
PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.
When the court convened after recess Father
Npf- h, had Tho .aRNl
addition TO a mass Of papers, several bottles Of
liquid refreshments and two boxes OF candies.
Then there was bottle OF mixed tea Father
Columbia passed around the candy, but did not
offer 70 open the bottles.
When he resumed his position on the stand
he explained how he could sell tea at 40 cents q
pound when in the regular way it would cost
the consumer from IS cents to 81 pound. He
said he bought the tea through New York
firm.
Then he explained how he had medicated the
wines and could sell them at figures far below
others.
"Columbia's Favor" was the name of one of
the wines. and defendant explained that it Was
not his. but the country's favorite.
Il am getting ready to disappear" he said,
'but the country will still be here"
MILLIONS N IT.
Following this he told Of how he bought
thousands Of barrels Of sugar at reduced prices,
and said that 100 pounds Of the sugar would
make Ito pounds Of candy. He said that the
most important thing in the manufacture Of
candy was the use Of chemically pure water
Judge kimball then questioned the defendant
ir order to refresh his memory, and directed
his examination chiefly to bis immense wealth.
Father Columbia in explanation of Why be
made an assignment only short time after he
had received sl93. 900, and in . long story he
told Of how the money slipped through his
fingers and he went into bankruptcy.
He did not mention the Missouri property a.
among his assets.
In addition to his other troubles, his press
was broken by accident, and that was the |
direct cause Of his failure.
oxH War OF GETTING RICE.
During the examination by tho court and Q |
brief discussion Of facts as claimed by Father |
Columbia, Judge Kimbau remarked: 81 can |
draw check for o. .o0e 900 and carry il in mr.
pocket and be millionaire"
Father Columbia then won't back as fsr =
1866 aud told Of historical events down TO date |
to prove the Ownership Of the oyster beds in |
North river, and said he preserved his rights /
BY sailing over the course each year with his
flag and declaration.
The court then Questioned the defendant
about the manufacture Of soap, and tho witness |
said, 'sAny man Of my ability can buy sugar by
the Thousands of barrels and soap by the thou
sands Of boxes without cent"
Next came the sewing machine CONTRACTS and /
the court was questioning the defendant sbout |
them when TEE srAasrspert closed.
EuoExR ALEXANDER, charged with stsaling
an overcoat from Corr Bnrrsll. was given uipssy