Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1895-04-24
WITH CLOSED DOORS.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION
BEFORE COMMISSIONER
EDWARDS
Inspector Mason Gives the His
tory Of Gold reposit No II.

Yesterday at 10 o'clock Commissioner
Edwards began the preliminary ex-
animation Of the case of the United
States Government VS.. John L. Jones
charged with shortage OF $4,000
in the Melter and Reiners department
of the Mint in this city,
Mr. Edwards acts in this case much
in the same capacity as Justice OF
the peace presiding in a preliminary
examination prior to the trial in the
District Court of the State.
The accused came in smiling and
at his ease and took his seat with his
attorneys Immediately. Torreyson
and Woodhurn on his right. Coffin
and Summerfield on MS left Al the
end of the table were Charles Jones
q. S. District Attorney and General
Clark. who was added 10 the Govern
ment forces as an attorney of record
10 assist the U. S. District Attorney
in the prosecution. Mrs Fischer was
sworn in as Court reporter. and it
was announced that the proceedings
would be held with closed doors, in
accordance with the request OF de-
Tense.
There We're also present Snperin.en.
dent Adams. Meter and Refiner Har.
ris, Warren Noteware, Detective Grant
and Lawrance Elrod who had been
called on as a witness for the defence.
Harris ofthe Mint had been called on
as a witness by both sides, Detective
Harris Of the Secret Service was not
present. He had been expected in
the morning with Piper who had
been arrested for stealing bullion and
large crowd was at the depot in the
morning to see him arrive with hi.
prisoner, but he did not put in an ap
pearance.
William Woodbnrn who had con-
sultation with Coffin in Reno a few
days ago was paced on record as an
Attorney for jones. the accused. He
had been retained some DAYS ago by
Henev one of the accused.
e. s. Marshall HUMPHREYS, Detect
i've Grant and Bailiff Stems occupied
the q. S. Marshall's room adjoining
the Court room. The doors were
locked and the Bailiff instructed to al
low no one in, except those engaged
in the case.
Commissioner Edwards announced
that he was ready, and Inspector
Mason, the first witness for the Gov
eminent took the st md. He stated
that he had been connected with the
Mint services over forty years and had
been sent TO Carson by the Govern
ment 20 investigate the shortage in
the Mint in this city. He gave a de.
tailed description Of the methods in
vogue in the Government MINIS, used
in melting. refining and treating
precious metals. also the system OF
check in the Mint. and also the de
tailed minutia OF the inner workings
of the coming branch of the service.
Gen aral Clarke conducted the question
ing and having just come into the
case with no preparation he was at
sea and occasionally was prompted
by O. S. District Attorney Jones He
soon grasped the subject. however,
and settled down to the work in the
case. The description Of the work
ings of the metals occupied until
noon, when the Court took a recess.
AFTER RECESS.
In the afternoon the examination
was resumed soon after l O'Clock.
Mr.. Mason was again on the stand,
and gave detailed account of how he
had investigated the shortage by as
saving every bar of bullion in the
mint, assaying several hundred
He had found several bars which
did not hold up to their recorded
value. He had ais, found counter
felt melt which fell short nearly $780,
600 in gold, with 1Oa bars OF bullion
which were in the counterfeit melt.
The bars were brought over from the
Mint by Sargent in an express wagon
and placed in evidence as exhibit A
There were ten whole shoe bars and
fractional one-third bar.
The testimony Of Mr.. Mason was
supplemented by innumerable figures
and assays and files OF Mint records,
all Of which were dry testimony but
necessary to lay the foundation Of the
Government case. General Clark who
conducted the examination went into