The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-30
A LAWYERS TILT.
Warm Words Enliven the
Howell Case.
Fred Marsh, Leader of the Counter
feiters, Tells of the Gangs
Operations.

A lively tilt between few attorneys, a
self-confessed gam bier. counterfeiter, cheat
and all-around bad man and a few pas
sages between Judge and jurist went to
make life interesting in the vicinity of the
District Court yesterday.
The Howell counterfeiting case was on
and Fred Marsh, the arch consplrator in
the affair, who provided the spurious money
and made dupes of the men who disposed
of 1t, but who is going to escape punish
ment because he has promised to help the
Government punish others, told as much
as was necessary of his criminal operation
to impress the jury with HowelPs wicked
ness.
When court convened Judge Morrow de.
livered an opinion oyerruilng Lawyer
CampbelPs objection to Marsh's evidence
and then that young man commenced his
recital.
There is something peculiar about Fred
Marsh-SomethiGg that seems to make It
impossible for him to realize just how
despicable person of his caliber is.
For hours he sat on the witness-stand.
and under hot fire from Attorney Camp
bell admitted that he was gambler who
never hesitated about cheating those with
whom he played: an associate Of certain
class OF women; counterfeiter and a
thoroughly unreliable person, and he
seemed TO take great pride Ia telling all
this, etc.
Under direct examination Marsh told of
his meetings with Howell during the
spring of last year and the sales of coun-
terfeit money to him.
He also told of conversations held in
which the disposal of the counterfeits was
discussed and related that when he ques-
toned Howell as to the liability of detec-
in nj
I'm pretty safe. You know, IL they do
catch me my standing in the town is so
high that no one will ever believe me
guilty"
Marsh then admitted that he had been
engaged in handling counterfeit coins and
was also sure thing gambler, after which
he was turned over to H0welPs attorneys
for cross-examination.
Now, MIR. Marsh. tell me honestly just
what you think OF yourself" was the first
question asked.
Il don't think Pm an angel"
Would you believe yourself under
oath?"
81 think So"
Would you believe any one else who
occupied position similar to yours?"
mo, sir
"You are gambler"
Yes, sir"
And you are of the sure-thing sort and
cheat whenever you get chance?"
II do"
"You were run out of Stockton. were
you not. and here lived with a dissolute
woman of this city, whom you afterward
took home and introduced to your mother
and sisters as your wife?
Yes, SIR"
Then Mr.. Campbell tried to learn some
thing Of a statement made By Marsh to
District Attorney Garter and a spirited
scene enSued.
Mr. Garter claimed the paper was his
personal property.
Mr. Campbell held differently sit is part
OF the record OF this court" he said, 'and
you are raising it as such now and arrang.
Ing your questions in accordance with its
contents"
That is not So" interrupted Mr.. Gar
ter. II have not looked al any statement"
You have. sir. and you know it. Isaw
You do so not three minutes ago."
Then MIR. Campbell sprang to his feet.
Mr.. Garter followed, and the crowd
present prepared to witness a good scrim
mage. but it did not occur. Fights seldom
do occur in courtrooms. The Judge some
how or another generally manages to inter-
fere just at the 0pportune moment.
Gentlemen, If you must quarrel, beg
OF you to wait until court adjourns. !"
spoke out Judge Morrow.
The gentlemen concluded to wait. and
MIR. Campbell continued his cross .Gues-
tioning, deyoting the most of the day to
worming damaging admissions from the
witness, all of which were intended. of
course, to prejudice the jury against him.
The trial VIII 60 on at II o'clock to-day.