The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-13
HISDETECTIYE WORK
STORY OF HOW RICHARD vAux RAN
DOWN A FAMOUS coUNTERFElTsR.

Colonel Monroe Edwards Threat to XIII
Che Recorder. Which Was Rot Carried
Out-A Noted Duel Which Grow Out of
the Trial-Evnrts Was In the Case.
Richard NauX WAS not only famous rs q
Jurist and statesman, but over half u cen
fury ago achieved widespread famc as q
detective in the case of Colonel Monroe Ed
wards in Philadelphia, in October, 1871.
Edwards, who was u native of Russellyillc,
KY, astounded The world by the boldness
ana success of his operations ms u forgcr.
his last offense realizing s44, OOO which
was secured by q series of forged letters
and cotton warehouse receipts.
Judge Loundcs, u famous criminal law
yer, was engaged to hunt down the cul-
prit. He was located IN Philadelphia, and
Richard Naux then recorder of the city.
by shrewd detective work discovered tho
forger's stopping place. On going to the
house tho recorder rang tho bell, leaving
Judge Loundcs and Mr.. Hart n little to
one side from the door. a servant girl an
swercd to the bell
II want to SEQ Colonel Monroe Ed
wards, - said the recorder. as 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 Nopl, sliit III WIS cNlutnU from the
rattle OF the knives and forks that those
within tho other apartment were engaged
in Il meal. There was no one In the Dorlor
and the girl went through the door and said
something. "A moment later a fine look
ing man cGmo into the parlor. He was
about feet 8 inches in height, admirably
proportioned, with hair rs black rs the ra-
vcn's wing and dark eyes that shot n pierre
ing glance from under dark eyebrows. He
was dressed with scrupulous cxactncss and
wore large amount of fine jcwclry, evil
IDENTIFY paying great deal Of attention to
bis personal appearance. The recorder ap-
preached him and said
Good evening, Colonel Monroe Ed
wards. believe you arc Colonel Monroe
Edwards, if 1 recollcct aright?'
II am that person, was the reply, land
nm very glad to see you
The identity asccrtained the recorder
gave the prcconccrted signal, and Judge
Loundcs, Mr.. Hart, Captain Young and
the police entered tho room. Mr.. Vaux di-
rected Captain Young put the handouts
on Edwards, which was done. The pris-
oncr made no remarks of any kind and
said not n word, The recorder, having
completed his duties in the affair, was
about TO leave the room, when u very agile
slim, light colorcd mulatto boy of about 16
years rushed at the official with n long
knife in his hand, and made lungo ut
him with the weapon. So quick was the
movement that there was nothing for the
recorder to do but knock his assalant
down and take the knife from him. which
he dld. Two or three persons, probably
boardcrs, came into the room ut TINT mo-
mcnt, and the mulatto disappeared, and
was never afrerward seen In this city,
though he was aftcrward found to be
woman who travelled with Edwards In
male attire.
The forger's trunks were secured, and
Recorder Naux 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 n
young gentleman named Evarts were coun-
sci for the accused. Nlr. Vnuy, in rccoy-
milton of the judicial functions of his of
lice, was invited to take q seat beside the
judge on the bench The appearance and
dcmcanor 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 the making of a law
| yer in him."
1t was tho famous William NJ Evarts,
| 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.. Vaux pcrcingly in the
| eyes. q am glad to have this opportuni-
| t. of speaking TO you, he said. Il want
| to say one thing to you that is important
| for you to remember. I am going TO kill
| you the moment come out of Sing Sing
give you this notice as from one gentle
| man to another
II am very thankful to you, Colonel Ed
| wards" replied tho recorder, with the
same politcncss, "for giving me this time
| ly notice. 1t Is very gentlcmanly Of you
to do so. will give you the opportunity
| at any time you desire. I have only done
my duty and am prepared to take tho 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
fixedly into the forgcrs face. Tho man
turned white and trcmblcd, for he read in
] his captor's countenance 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,
| 1Si7.
| AS a sequel to the trial came the duel
| between Tom Marshall and Colonel james
| Watson Webb. Marshall was n member of
| congress at the time of the Edwards trial,
| and for defending the brilliant criminal mt
| the same time that he was u representative
of the American people in Washington he
|