The herald., 1895-09-12
ACCuSEn OE CONSPIRACY
Ex-coneressman ncShsne Arrested on This
CHARGE


CHICAGO. Sent. 1l.-Ex-C Congressman
John A. McShane of Omaha was arraigned
here today, charged with conspiring with
f. II. Culber, a Chicago attorney. TO de-
fraud the real estate firm of Bartlett IL
Roach. The defendants asked for an i'm
mediate trial, but the case was continued
until tomorrow.
The real estate men charge that Nc
Shane and Culber deliberately conspired
to swindle tnem out Of 500, 600, while the
ex congressman declares that he is in
nocent and threatens to bring suit for
damages for false imprisonment.
McShane and Culver were arrested on
a warrant sworn out by G. E. .Bartletts
one OF the firm of BARTLETT " Roach. real
estate dealers 1t is charged that the re-
spondents conspred to defraud the real
estate firm in the course OF a transfer Of
valuable property. James Atwood, a
janitor, and b. j. Scannell, partner Of
McShane in Omaha, II is said, will be ar
resisted.
According 10 tine story Of Bartlett &
Roach, that firm was to exchange Il flat
building on the corner OF State street ana
Cloud court for mum Der OF vacant and
unincumbe lots in Evanston, Ever
green and other suburbs. All She con-
tracts, deeds and abstracts on both sides
were fully prepared and placed in escrow.
Messrs. Bartlett q Roach placed their
papers in the hands of Peterson & Orr,
real estate delers. while Culver was GUS
todian for McShane and Scannell. At the
solicitation of Culver all the papers were
then delivered to him in escrow. Ac-
oording to Bartlett d Roach. Culver at
once turned over to Scannell a portion of
the deeds and the deed to the State street
property to James Atwood, a relative of
McShane, and janitor of the flats. On
the same day Scannell executed mortgages
on his portion to John McShane for a
nomi nal consideration and Atwood did
the same. Every one of the deeds and
mortgages was recorded. All the alleged
conspirators disappeared, X is charged,
about that time and Bartlett & Roach
learned that their property had changed
hands and had been mortgaged, and they
had received nothing in exchange. Mon
day they learned that McShane was in
the city and subsequently he was arrested
at Cores hotel Attorney Culver was
apprehended at the same place. Mr..
Hofferman. OF Cores hotel, went on their
bond in $1,000 each, and they were re-
leased. Nj. McShane declares that he is
the victim of a scheme and threatens to
bring suit for damages for false i'm prison
ment.
This is a blackmailing scheme said
John A. MoShane, in discussing his ar
rest. 81 know nothing about this real
estate transaction, and am in no way in
terested in What Mr.. Scannell has done.
1t is true he is secretary of the Column
bia Investment com pany, but that is a
corporation and his private deals do not
affect the COM pany or me. | am not in.
terested dollar in either the suburban
or the State street property, and the rec
ords will show that to be true. | shall
bring suit for damages for false arrest
and perjury against the complain ants.
They will find | am good man to stick
to. | will be with them three years from
now il necessary. | expect to be dis
charged when the case comes up. There
is not thing to hold me on and the
whole proceeding was an outarge.'