The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1896-01-02
HIsDETECTIvE WORK
STORY OF HOW RICHARD VAIN
DOWN A FAMOUS cOUNrERrr,-eN
oo,one, monroe Edwards Threat to Kim
the Recorder, Which Was Not o..
Out-A Noted Duel Which Cro
the Trial-Evarts Was In the r.

the Recorder, Which Was No, ~
Out-A Noted Duel Which Grew o.. a
the Triai-Evarts Was In the Case
hlchard Naux was not only famms
1urlst and statesman, but over half DIS
fury ago achieved widespread f.no "cen-
detective in the case of Colonel Monno%
wards in Philadelphia, in Octohor 1a na'
Edwards, who was native of RpSSoiI4 -odl.
KY, astounded the world by the bolaI'
and success Of his operations as 4 t"
his last offense realizing s44 Oo0 ser'
was secured by series of forced ".nch
and cotton warehouse receipts ''''els
Judge Loundes, a famous crin;no,,
yer, was engaged to hunt down tho ' "'v,
prit. He was located in Philadelnbia out
Richard Vaux, then recorder Of tbo III auu
by shrewd detective work, disooverod ~
forger's stopping place. On going 70 t Le
house the recorder rang the bell loor;l ne
Judge Loundes and Mr.. Hart a lifting
one side from the door. A servant oirl "
swered to the bell. "D'
II want to see Colonel Monroe IA
wards, said the recorder. 'Is he insn
She replied that he was, and Mr. Won
Immediately walked into the parlor d.
tween the parlor and the back room tbou,
was door, and it was evident from tbo
rattle of the knives and forks that tbnaO
within tho other apartment were enpacoJ
in a meal. There was no one in the narIo.
and the girl went through the door and saia
something. A moment later fine loor
ing man came into the parlor. He wa,
about feet 9 inches in height. admiroM'
prOpOrtiOned with hair as black as tbn No
ven's wing and dark eyes that shot a niaro
ing glance from under dark eyebrows Ho
was dressed with scrupulous exactncss and
wore large amount of fine iewelrv. owl
IDENTIFY paying a great deal of attention 70
his personal appearance. The recorder an.
preached him and said:
GOOD evening, Colonel Monroe Ed
wards. believe you are Colonel Monroo
Edwards, if 1 recollect aright?'
81 am that person, was the reply, "and
am very glad to see you
The identity ascertained the recordp,
gave the preconcerted signal, and judge
Loundes, Mr.. Hart, Captain Young and
the police entered the room. Mr.. Vauy d.
rected Captain Young toput the handouts
on Edwards, which was DONE The pris
oner made no remarks of any kind, and
said not a word, The recorder, having
completed his duties in the affair." was
about to leave the room, when very agile
slim, light colored mulatto boy of about l6
years rushed at the official with long
knife in his hand, and made 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 bea
woman who travelled with Edwards In
male attire.
The forger's trunks We're 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, son Of
Chancellor Kent Thomas Francis Mar
shall of Kentucky, Mr.. Edmunds and
young gentleman named Eyarts were coun-
sci for the accused. Mr.. Vaux, in rec0g-
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
ellis name is Evarts, :" replied the judge
"and l think he has the making of a law
yer in him."
1t was the famous William NJ Evarts,
since then admittedly at the head of the
American bar.
Edwards was convicted and sentencedtO
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 piercingly the
eyes. II am glad to have this Opportunl-
ty 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
I give you this notice as from one gentle
man to another"
81 am very thankful to you, Colonel Ed
wards" replied the recorder, with the
same politeness, "for giving me this time
ly notice. 1t is very gentlemanly OF you
to do so. / will give you the opportunity
at any time you desire. have only zone
my duty and am prepared to take the con-
sequences. l only ask of you that Wheh
you make the attempt you will look me III
the face"
AS Mr.. Vaux said these words he gazea
f1xedly into the forger's face. The man
turned white and trembled for he read IN
his captor's countenance the justlflaDle ue-
termination to kill him should heever dare
to face him after his release. Not anOther
word was spoken between them, Tor at 'lE''
moment the officers led the prisoner away
He never attempted to carry his threat III
to effect, for he died in prison in January
1847
AS sequel to the trial came the ouoi
between Tom Marshall and Colonel JAMES
Watson Webb. Marshall was member Oh
congress at the time of the Edwards 'rlal.
and for defending the brilliant criminal I,' AZ
the same time that he was representa'n0
of the American people in Washington Nv
was severely criticised by Colonel JANIS
Watson Webb in the columns OF tne NC"
York Courier and Enquirer, OF when Joui
nal that gentleman was the editor II ~. .to
address to the jury Marshall answered. 'nS
newspaper criticism in that bitter st! This
tnvective of which he was the master Inn
led to a challenge and meeting on tlio ."
called "field of honor" The congressii"a,
shot the famous editor in the knee anu
famed him for life.-Cincinnatl Eh4uiiN