New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-22
PRICE THREE CENTS!
BROCKWAY FOUND GUILTY,
A DRAMATIC SCENE IN COURT WHEN THE
VERDICT IS RENDERED.


MRS SMITH AND WAGNER. THE AGED
couNrERFEITERs ACCoMPLLcEs.
ALSO coSvIcTED-THE FOR
MER NEARLY swooNs.
Trenton N. j.. Feb. 81 (speciaD.-The trial Of
the Brockway gang OF counterfeiters ended to-
dav at 4 o'clock. and at 73O o'clock tonight the
Jury returned with o verdict Of guilty as charged
against the three prisoners. The jury was
divided on the verdict in the case or young
Wagner but compromised by finding him guilty
and recommending him to the mercy OF the
Court.
There was a pathetic scene in court when the
jury filed in and, In answer to the clerk, rem
dered its verdict. Besides the three prisoners
Colonel W. f. Spencer, alias Brockway; Abols
L. Smith the cousin of DR.. Bradford, and
Charles V. Wagner-ony Judge Green, Prose-
cutor Rice Abram J. Rose. the Secret Service
officers the relatives Of the prisoners, and the
newspaper reporters were present. When the
verdict was an, ounced Mrs. Smith broke down.
and her sobs could be heard all over the court
room She seemed arou, to swoon. when young
Wagner afectionately placed his arm about her
waist and supported her Mrs. Smiths son
James l.. Smith. a brght-looking young man OF
perhaps twenty-five years. FASTENED TO his
mothers side and assisted Wagner to support
her.
In another part OF the courtroom was another
scene. Old Brockway sat with his arm upon
the table which supported the counterfeiters
outfit. Upon the announcement of the verdict
of guilty he bounded to his feet with start
but quickly sat down again. n" sooner had the
old man resumed his seat than his pretty grand
daughter. Mrs. Woonton, of Boonton n. j.. who
seated in far corner of the inclosure, SET
apart from the lawyers. rushed 10 his side
Without word the faithful young woman seat
ed herself upon Brockway's lap, and. while the
tears rolled down her rosy cheeks she caress-
ingly stroked his struggling gray beard and
hair. and showered kisses upon his wrinkled
cheeks and forehead
SCORN FOR THE JURY.
Brockway did not liter word. He gave the
jury one lasting look Of scorn. stroked the golden
locks Of his beautiful granddaughter he gently
forced her from his lap, ard then to await
the pleasure OF the Government officers 10 hand
cuff him for the last time to young Wagner and
hasten him through the main thorOughfare TO
the Old Mercer jail, where he will remain until
arragned for sentence
The day for sentence is not yet fixed Judge
Green expects to be prepared 10 impose the PEN
atty within a week but he is unable to name the
exact time. None Of the counsel for the prison.
ers were on hand when the jury returned the
verdict. but before going away they had made
special request 10 be heard In the prisoners be-
half before sentence should be imposed. Judge
Green promised the lawyers that they should
have ample opportunity 70 present any facts
! they desired.
The trial Of the counterfeiters lasted six days.
and when the jury vent out this afternoon each
of the prisoners gave sigh Of relief The greater
| part OF the day was occupied with the addresses
Of counsel, Colonel Campbell closiSg his case for
the Smith woman and Wagner early in the
morning. Judge Green's charge TO the jury was
strongly for conviction.
WAGNER ONLY BOARDER.
Wagner testified in his behalf to-day. He
| declared that he only boarder with Mrs
! Smith. and had met Dr. Bradford and Clrich
there. He was an electrical worker in New
York He denied all knowledge of counterfeitng.
He first learned of it from Uirich the day of his
arrest. Ulrich exhibited counterfeit money to
Wagner. the latter said. and got him TO wrap
some of 1t in tape upon the plea that he wanted
to send it to Cincinnati. Wagner made no de-
NAL of the stories the Secret Service men told
about him
Charles F. Ulrich was recalled to the witness
stand and denied that he had ever been known
as Colonel Smith 'or Colonel Anybody Else
or that he had instructed either Wagner or Mrs.
Smith in counterfeitlng With his testimony
both sides rested. and the new Distrct-Attor-
ney, j. Kearny Rice. opened on behalf OF the
! Government
He discussed the evidence presented on behalf
| of the Government at length. and admitted that
| the counterfeit bills found were the best the
! Government had ever seen. Ex-Judge William
| L. Hoffman, of counsel for Brockway called at.
| tentiOn to the fact that the government hau not
! called Dr. Bradford to deny the story OF Brock.
| way, an omission which. he said, was caused
| by their knowledge of the fact that the Doctor
could not deny the evidence given by the pris-
! oner.
| Colonel Campbell counsel for Mrs. Smith and
| Wagner attacked the testimony and the actions
Of Ulrich as sp; who, he declared, was tne
! cleverest counterfeiter the United States had
ever had to deal with. Dstrict-Attorney Abram
J. Rose was severe in his denunciation OF
Brockway kening him to Fagn in that he
| taught women and young men to aid in the
nefarious business Of counterfeiting Govern
! ment obligations. Mrs. Smith and wagner. he
asserted were willing accomplices. Clrich he
said. regretted his past and used his great glfe
! in aiding the Government in detecting criminals.
The charge Of Judge Green was careful ana
concise criticism OF the entire testimony, some
OF which, particularly that of Brockway In his
own behalf was ridiculed. and sharp compari-
sons were drawn. The jury daliberated one
and one-half hours.
The extreme penalty for the crime Is niteen
years at hard labor or $4,000 fine, In the dis