Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-06-17
HISDETECTIVE WORK
STORY OF HOW RICHARD vAUx RAN
DOWN A FAMOUS coUNTERFEITER.
Colonel Monroe Edwards' Threat to XIII
the Recorder. Which Was Not Carried
Out-A Noted Duel Which Grow Ont Of
/ the Triai-Evarts Was In the Case.

the Trial-Evarts Was In the Case.
Richard vaux was not only famous as a
iurist and statesman, but over half CEN
tury ago achieved widespread fame as q
detective in the case of Colonel Monroe Ed
wards in Philadelphia, in October, 1841.
Edwards, who was native of Russellville,
KY, astounded the world by the boldness
and success of his operations as forger,
his last offense realizing $44, 900, which
was secured by series Of forged letters
and cotton warehouse receipts.
Judge Loundes, famous criminal law
yer, was engaged to hunt down the Gull
prit. He was located In Philadelphia, and
Richard Vaux, then recorder OF the city,
by shrewd detective work, discovered the
forger's stopping place. On going to the
house the recorder rang the bell, leaving
Judge Loundes and Mr.. Hart a little to
one side from the door. A servant girl an
swered to the bell.
IT want to see Colonel Monroe Ed
wards" said the recorder. SIS he in?"
She replied that he was and Mr.. Vaux
Immediately walked into the parlor Be-
tween the parlor and the back room there
was door, and it was evident from the
rattle of the knives and forks that those
within the other apartment were engaged
In q meal There was no one in the parlor
and the girl went through the door and said
something. A moment later fine look
ing man came into the parlor. He was
about feet 0 inches in height, admirably
proportional, with hair rs black as the ra'
vcn's wing and dark eyes that shot pierre
ing glance from under dark eyebrows. He
was dressed with scrupulous exactness and
wore q large amount Of fine jewelry, evil
IDENTIFY paying great deal of attention to
his personal appearance. The recorder ap-
preached him and said
"Good evening, Colonel Monroe Ed
wards. I believe you arc Colonel Monroe
Edwards, If / recollect aright?" ~
~ am that person, was the reply, "and
am very glad to see YOU"
The identity ascertained, the recorder
gave the preconcerted signal, and Judge
Loundes, Mr.. Hart, Captain Young and
the police entered the room. Mr.. Vaux di-
rooted Captain Young toput the handouts
on Edwards, which was done. The pris-
oner made no remarks of any kind, and
said not q word, The recorder, having
completed his duties in the affair, was
about to leave the room, when a very agile,
slim, light colored mulatto boy of about 16
years rushed at the official with long
knife in his hand, and made q lunge at
him with the weapon. So quick was the
movement that there was nothing for the
recorder to do but knock his assailant
down and take the knife from him, which
he did. Two or three persons, probably
boarders, came into the room at that mo-
ment, and the mulatto disappeared, and
was never afterward seen in this city,
though che" was afterward found to be a
woman who travelled with Edwards in
male attire.
Tho forger's trunks were secured, and
Recorder Vaux gathered the evidence with
peculiar detective ability.
The trial came off in the city OF New
York before Judge William Kent, a son Of
Chancellor Kent Thomas Francis Mar
shall Of Kentucky, Mr. Edmunds and q
young gentleman named Evarts were coun-
sci for tho accused. Mr.. Vaux, in recog-
milton of the judicial functions of his Of
flee, was invited to take seat beside the
judge on the bench. The appearance and
demeanor of the 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 think he has the making of q law
yer in him."
1t was tho famous William M. Evarts,
since then admittedly at the head of the
American bar.
Edwards was convicted and sentenced to
ten years imprisonment, mainly upon the
testimony Of Recorder Vaux. At the close
of tho trial the prisoner, with studied po-
lteness looked Mr. Vaux piercingly in the
eyes. ~ am glad to have this opportuni-
ty of speaking to you," he said. II 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.
IT am very thankful to you, Colonel Ed
wards" replied the recorder, with the
same politencss, "for giving me this time
ly notice 1t is very gentlemanly of you
to do so. will give you the opportunity
Mt 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
flxcdly into tho forger's face The man
turned white and trembled, for he read in
his captor's countcnance the justifiable de-
termination to kill him should he ever dare
to face him after his release. Not another
word was spoken between them, for at 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 thetrial came the duel
between Tom Marshall and Colonel James
Watson Webb. Marshall was member OF
congress at the time of the Edwards trial,
and for defending the brilliant criminal at
the same time that he was representative
of the American people in Washington he
was severely criticised by Colonel James
Watson Webb in the columns Of the New
York Courier and Enquirer, of which jour
nal that gentleman was the editor. In his
address to the jury Marshall answered the
newspaper criticism in that bitter style OF
invective of which he was the master. This
led to a challenge and a meeting on the sc
called "field Of honor" The congressman
shot the famous editor in the knee and
famed him for lfe-Cincinnati Enquirer
Taking No Chances.
George Harris. the s-S.sro tlhc assaultet