The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-01
HELD ON A SERIOUS CHARGE.
ALL ON ACCOUNT OF THAT 10000
POUNDS OF ROPE.

III. Leonard, the junk Dealer. Taken
in Charge by Deputy Marshal Day
ton on HIS Arrival From New York
on the Kansas City-JOhnsOn and
Dodden said They sold the Rope
to Him-.h,hn MaIene. His Clerk,
Also HeId-NIr. Leonard says He
knows Absolutely Nothing About
the Rope. or the Negroes Who
Made the Charge.
John J. Leonard, the junk dealer Of 179
River street. was somewhat startled yes
terday afternoon on the arrival of the
Kansas city from New York by being
taken in charge by United States Deputy
Marshal W. A. Drayton. who had in his
possession q warrant charging Mr.. Leon
ard with receiving property that had been
stolen from the government.
Mr. Leonard has just returned from New
York. where he has been for the last two
or three weeks. and his surprise at the
charge with which he was confronted can
well be imagined. The charges which
form the basis of the warrant grew out of
the confessions of James Johnson and
Tom Dodden. who are now in Jail. charged
with stealing 1890 pounds Of rope and
other material from Fort Oglethorpe.
johnson and Dodden were arrested n
few days ago. and both at first protested
their innocence, but, when confronted
by numerous witnesses who had seen
them go down the river and return with
a load Of rope, and others who had seen
them land it at the dock. they gave in
4. af-.s. H. "a
taken il. The story of how they entered
the fort by burrowing under the sally
port gate has been given IN the Morning
News.
The next question was what became of
the rope. A searchlight inquiring was in
stituted and both finally stated that they
had sold it at Leonard's junkshop men
tioning both Leonard and his clerk, John
Aialene. Leonard was taken in charge by
Deputy Marshal Dayton on the arrival of
the Kansas City. and was taken before
Commissioner NJ. "A. Connolly. Malene
was arrested later by the deputy marshal,
but il Is understood that both men were
released on bond. Commissioner Connolly,
who was asked about the matter was
not inclined to say anything whatever
FOR publication.
There was stored at Fort Oglethorpe in
May a lot of tools and materials used in
the engineering department These in
cluded uUV pounds or rope, which was
stolen from the fort in June and July.
Both Of the men arrested stated they had
sold the rope at Leonards junkshop.
Leonard, however. makes a most vigor-
Gus denial of the charges. He stated that
he had given strict Instructions to the
men at his place never to receive any
goods about which there was the slight
est suspicion, and that they were always
extra careful, when there was any sus-
picion that the property offered for sale
might belong to the government. lie
said he did not know either one Of the
negroes who claimed to have sold him the
rope, and could not remember even hav-
ing bought anything from either Of them.
Mr.. Leonard buys considerable junk of
one kind and another, and while he don't
keep run of all the stuff he takes in, he
says he is certain that he has not bought
this rope Malene's arrest took place late
in the afternoon. He too, was surprised
and said he knew nothing about the mat
ter.
II is probable that both Leonard and
Malene viii be given "a hearing before the
commissioner early this week.