The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-06
HIS DETECTIVEWOR
STORY OF HOW RICHARD vAux RAN
DOWN A FAMOUS cOUNTeRFElTER.


Colonel Monroe Edwards Threat to XIII
Che Recorder, Which Was Not Carried
Out-A Noted Duel Which Grew Out of
the Trial-Evarts Was In the Case.
Richard Naux was not only famous as n
1urlSt and statesman, but over half a con-
tury ago achieved Widespread fame as
detective i'll the case of Colonel Monroe Ed
wards in Philadelphia, in October, 1871.
Edwards, who was native of Russcllvillc,
Ky, astounded the world by the boldness
and success of his operations as forgcr,
his last offense realizing S44 ,OOO which
was secured by n series of forged letters
and cotton warehouse receipts
Judge Loundes u famous criminal law
yer was engaged to hunt down the cul-
prit. He was located In Philadelphia, and
Richard VauX, then recorder of the city,
BY shrewd detective work, discovered tho
forgcr's stopping place. On going to the
house the recorder rang tho bell, leaving
Judge Loundcs and Mr. Hart little to
one side from tho door. a servant girl an
swered to tho bell.
II want to SEQ Colonel Monroe Ed
wards, said tho recorder. SIS he in?"
Sho replied that he was, and Mr.. Vaux
Witlhcti INTO inc pHrlOr. BE-
tween tho parlor and the back room there
was II door, and it was evident from tho
rattle of the knives and forks that those
within the other apartment were engaged
In meal. There was no one in the parlor
and tho girl went through the door and said
something. a moment later a fine look
ing man came into the parlor. He was
about feet inches In height, admirably
proportional, with hair us black rs the rn-
vcn's wing and dark eyes that shot q pierre
ing glance from under dark eyebrows. He
was dressed with scrupulous cxartncss and
wore large amount of fine jcwclry, evil
IDENTIFY paying great dcal of attention to
his personal appearance. The recorder ap-
preached him and said:
Good evening, Colonel Monroe Ed
wards. believe you arc Colonel Monroe
Edwards, If l rccollcct aright?"
lam that person, was tho reply, "and
am very glad to see you"
Tho Identity nsccrtnincd, the recorder
gave tho prcconccrtcd signal, and Judge
Loundcs Mr.. Hart, Captain Young and
the police entered tho room. Mr. Vaux di-
rected Captain Young to put the handouts
on Edwards, which was done. The pris-
oner made no remarks of any kind, and
snid not word, Tho recorder, having
completed his duties in the affair, was
about to leave the room, when Is very agile,
slim, light colored mulntto boy of about rs
years rushed at the official with "a long
knife In his hand, and made "a lungc at
him with the weapon. So qnick was the
movement that there was nothing for the
recorder 10 do but knock his assailant
down and take the knife from him, which
he did. Two or three persons, probably
boardcrs, came into the room at that mo-
mcnt, and the mulatto disappeared, and
was never afterward seen in this CITY.
though 'hc' was aftcrward found to be n
woman who travelled with Edwards In
male attire.
The forger's trunks wcro secured, and
Recorder Voux gathered the evidence with
peculiar detective ability.
Tho trial camo off In the city of New
York before Judge William Kent, n son of
Chancellor Kent Thomas Francis Mar-
shnll Of kentucky, Mr.. Edmunds and n
young gentleman named Evarts were coun-
sci for tho accused. Mr. Vaux, In rccog-
milton of tho judicial functions Of his of
lice, was invited to take seat beside the
Judge on the bench. The appearance and
dcmeanor Of tho young lawyer named
Evarts attracting his attention, he said to
Judge Kent, "Who Is that young gentle
mani"
His name Is Evarts, - replied the Judge,
land l think he has tho making of law
yer In him.
1t was tho famous William M. Evarts,
since then admittedly at tho head Of tho
American bar.
Edwards was convicted and sentenced TO
ten years Imprisonment, mainly upon the
testimony of Recorder Vaux At the close
OF the trial the prisoner, with studied po-
likeness, looked Mr.. Vnux picrcingly in the
eyes. II am glad to have this opportuni-
ty of speaking to YOU" he said II want
to say ono thing to you that is important
for you to remember. am going to kill
you tho moment come out of Sing Sing.
I give you this notice as from one gentle
man to another
II am very thankful To you, Colonel Ed
wards" replied the recorder, with tho
same politeness, "for giving me this time
" notice 1t is very gentlcmanly of you
to do so. will give you the opportunity
ut any time you desire. have only done
my duty and am prepared to take the con-
sequences. l 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
fixedly into tho forgcr's face. The man
turned white and tremblcd, for he read in
his captor' countcnance the justinable de-
termination TO kill him should he ever dare
to fnce him after his release. Not another
word was spoken between them, for mt that
moment the officers led the prisoner away.
He never attempted to carry his threat in
to effect, for he died in prison in January,
1S47.
AS sequel to the trial camo the duel
between Tom Marshall and Colonel James
Watson Webb. Marshall was member of
congress at tho time of the Edwards trial,
mn fnnd ofa al 1
the same time that he was representative
OF the American people in Washington he
was severely criticised by Colonel James
MAtSnn Wnhl in thu col11nn- of thn Na.,-