Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-06-12
HIsDETECTIvEW WORK
STORY OF HOW RICHARD vAux RAN
DOWN A FAMOUS coUNTERFElTER.

the Recorder, Wmch WINS NOT carried 1
out-A Noted Duel which Grew out Of
the Triai-Evarts Was In the Case.
Richard vaux was not only famous as q |
,rrist and statesman but over half CEN
,,,ry ago achieved widespread fame as a
Sotcotiyc In the case of Colonel Monroe Ed
wnrds in philadelphia, in October, 1s41.
Edwards, who was a native of Russellvillo,
XIV. astounded the world by tho boldness
and success OF his operations as forger,
bis last offepse realizing si4,0 600, which
was secured by series Of forged letters
md cotton warehouse receipts.
Judge Loundes, famous criminal law
vcr was engaged to hunt down the Gull
viii He was located In Philadelphia, and
Richard yaux, then recorder of tho city,
Inv shrewd detective work, discovered tho
foraers stopping place. On going to tho
house the recorder rang tho bell, leaving
Judge Loundes and Mr.. Hart little to
one sido from the door. A servant girl an
swered to the bell.
~ want to see Colonel Monroe Ed
wards" said tho recorder. us he IMP
She replied that no was, and Mr.. Vaux
Immediately walked Into the parlor. Be-
tween the parlor and the back room there
WA a door, and IL was evident from the
within tho other apartment were engaged
IN A meal. There was no ono In the parlor,
and the girl went through the door and said
something. A moment later fine look
ing man came into tho parlor. He was
about 8 feet 0 inches In height, admirably
nrouortioned, with hair as black as the ru-
ycnis wing and dark eyes that shot pierre
inc glance from under dark eyebrows He
wns dressed with scrupulous exaotness and
wore large amount Of fine jewelry, evil
IDENTIFY paying great deal Of attention to
his personal appearance. The recorder up
preached him and said;
"Good evening, Colonel Monroe Ed
wards. believe you are Colonel Monroe
Edwards, II 1 reoollcct arightf"
liam that person, was the reply, "and
nm very glad to sec YOU"
Tho identity asoertained, tho recorder
gave the preconcerted signal, and Judge
Ioundes, Mr.. Hart, Captain Young and
the police entered the room. Mr.. Vaux d.
rected Captain Young toput tho handouts
on Edwards, which was done. The pris-
oner made no remarks OF any kind, and
said not word, The recorder, having
completed his duties In tho affair, was
about to leave the room, when very agile,
slim light colored mulatto boy of about 10
years rushed at the official with long
knife in his hand, and made lunge at
him with tho weapon. So quick was tho
movement that there was nothing for the
recorder to do but knock his assailant
down and take the knife from him, which
ne did. Two or three persons probably
boarders came into the room at that mo-
mcnt, and the mulatto disappeared, and
was never afterward seen in this city,
though "he" was afterward found to be q
,,-h 1nA ..,tth rJa In,
male attire.
The torger's trunks were secured and
Recorder Vaux gathered tho evidence with
peculiar detective ability.
Tho trial came off In tho city Of New
York before Judge William Kent, q son Of
Chancellor Kent. Thomas Francis Mar
shall Of Kentucky, Mr.. Edmunds and q
young gentleman named Evarts were coun-
eel for tho accused. Mr.. vaux, In reoog-
milton Of the judicial functions Of his Of
flee, was invited to take q scat beside the
Judge on tho bench. The appearance and
demcanor of the young lawyer named
Eyarts attracting his attention, he said to
Judge Kent, "Who is that young gentle
mani $780,.
Ellis name is Evarts, " replied the judge
land think he has tho making of a law
yer In him."
~ WIS tub lhllOub W NJ iANuiNni
since thon admittedly at the head of the
American bar.
Edwards was convicted and sentenced to
ten years imprisonment mainly upon the
testimony Of Recorder vnux. At the close
OF tho trial the prisoner, with studied po-
ltoness, looked Mr.. Vaux piercingly in the
eyes. II am glad to have this opportuni-
~ of speaking to you" he said. ~ want
to say one thing to you that Is important
for you to remember, am going to kill
you the moment come out of Sing Sing.
give you this notice as from one gentle
man TO another"
~ am very thankful to you, Colonel Ed
wards" replied the recorder, with the
same politeness, "for giving me this time
" notice. 1t Is very gentlemanly of you
TO do 30 will give you the opportunity
at any time you desire. have only done
my duty and am prepared to take the con
sequences, only ask of you that when
you make the attempt you will look me in
the face"
As Mr., Vaux said these words he gazed
nredly into the forgers face. Tho man
turned white and trcmbled for he read In
MS captor' oountenanco the iustiflable do
termination to kill him should no ever dart
70 face him after his release. Not another
word was spoken between them, for ut that
moment tho officers led the prisoner away
no never attempted to carry his threat in
70 effect, for he died In prison in January,
lBi7.
As sequel to the trinl came the due
between Tom Marshall and Colonel james
watson Webb. Marshall was member O.
congress at the timo OF tho Edwards trial
and for defending the brilliant criminal al
we same time that he was representative
OF the American people In Washington HI
was severely criticised by Colonel Jamei
watson Webb in the columns Of tho New
iork Courier and Enquirer, OF which jour
MAJ TINT gentleman was the editor In hi
address to tho jury Marshall answered th'
newspaper criticism In that bitter style o
hvectiye of which he was the muster. Thu
ha 70 challenge and q meeting on the 81
Vailed field Of honor" The congressman
mot the famous editor In the knee ant
FAMED him for lifc-Cinoinnati Enquirer
TALKING No Chances.
george Harris, tho negro who assaulte'
young man at Uniontown because tn