The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-12-19
QUEER DEALINGS EXPOSED.
United States Authorities Accomplish
Shrewd Detective work.
RUBINSKI IS HELD FOR TRIAL
Detectives Tell How Piano Travelled From
New Jersey to Bloomsbury and Was
Hauled to Shenandoah in Covered
wagon-other Details.
Special HERALD Correspondence.

Special HERALD Correspondence.
PoTTsvILLE, Dec. 19.-One of the most
startling disclosures of fraudulent transac-
tions heard in this city in many years was
made yesterday afternoon before United
States District Commissioner G. II. Woltjen
when Charles Rubnski, of Shenandoah, was
given a hearing on charge Of using the
United States mails for the purpose of de-
frauding creditors. The case is one of the
results of several months work by corps of
detectives in Shenandoah and many other
towns, and is but the beginning of series
of disclosures.
United States Postal Detective Hugh
German, of Philadelphia, was in attendance
and, in the absence of the Assistant United
States District Attorney, conducted the case
in person. A. w Schalck, Esq, represented
the defendant and NJ. NJ. Burke, Esq, ap-
peared for the Cornish Organ Company, of
Washington, n. j. The prosecution was in
stituted by the company on account Of a
piano valued at about S4O0 civil suit was
brought against Hyram Rubinski, also of
Shenandoah, to recover the value of the in
strument few months ago. A writ of re-
plevin was issued against Hyman Rubinski
but he furnished bond to the Sheriff and
still holds the piano pending the trial of the
civil suit in the courts of this place.
At the hearing yesterday it was developed
that fictitious person calling himself John
H. Smith" and doing business at Bloomsbury
wrote to the Cornish Organ Company in
October, 1894, asking them for piano to be
shipped on thirty days trial. The piano was
accordingly shipped to Bloomsbury. At the
freight station it was receipted for in the
name of Smith and was Immediately loaded
into a covered wagon drawn by three horses
and taken to Shenandoah, where it was
turned over to Hyman Rubinski. The
freight clerk of the d. L. & w. Il. r. at
Bloomsbury, Mr.. Mcbride, testified that
Charles Rubinski, the defendant, is the man
who called at the station for the piano and
receipted for it in the name of John H.
Smith, and drove away with it. A COM
parisOn of the signature on the book at the
freight Office proves the handwriting to be
identical with the writing on the order sent
for the piano. A representative of the organ
company testified to the receipt of the order
and TO losing all trace of both Smith" and
the piano after the instrument had been de-
livered at the Bloomsbury station. Mr.
Sharpleas told an interesting story as to how
he rented store room at Bloomsbury to
Smith" how Charles Rubinski, Abe Yarow-
SNi anu uho oVhoi parry IopIesohIlhE hiulooll
as Smith" secured lease to the property
and there piled their peculiar trade. The
freight agents identification of Charles
Rubinsh was complete. He identified him
from his general appearance, and particularly
from large mark on his left check, as if
made by a sabre thrust.
Commissioner Woltien declared that the
evidence was sufficient to hold Rubinski for
trial and required him to furnish 81 900 bail
for trial, which was given.