The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-04-03
NEWS OF TIE COURTS
N0TABLE WITNESSES TESTIFY
AGAINST Lucas.

Prof, Honey Much surprised at a Question
by Attorney Mouiton - Case Continued
Court Assignments.
The city court has seldom had more
notable coterie Of witnesses in attend
ance upon it than was summoned yes
terday morning to tell what they knew
of the history and character of Joseph
Lucas, the alleged English adventurer,
who claims to be the son of noble
man. Lucas was arraigned on three
counts--obtaining money under false
pretenses, vagrancy and defrauding
Mrs. Helen Nero out of board bill.
The first witness called was the Rev,
Dr. Douglas, rector of Trinity Episco-
pal church, He said that about three
months ago he received a telegram
from the bishop of neighboring do
cese asking him to SO and see Lucas.
Lucas told him that he had been sick
with typhoid fever and could not OBJ
tain any employment. The doctor gave
him $15. Lucas promised to pay 1t
back when he received his quarterly
remittance from England.
The testimony of Rev. Henry Mac
beth, who is assistant to the first wit
ness for the state, did not throw mucn
additional light.
Professor Frederick r. Honey of Yale
university testified that he had, acting
as agent for the communion aims of
Trinity church, given Lucas $3.50 of
the aims money and had bought tickets
for dinner and given him. When asked
to explain what he meant by commun
ion aims the professor showed signs Of
surprise at the question on the subject
of Mr. Moulton, the counsel for the de-
Tense.
He explained that on the first Sun
day of each month a collection was
taken in the Episcopal churches for the
poor and the needy.
The witness had given Lucas check
for SIS on the New Haven National
bank, payable to the order of Lucas
but had made him endorse the check
payable to Mrs. Helen Nero. Lucas
drew the money and kept it. Paying
Teller Frank Z. Trowbridge identified
the check
Richard L. Story, who took $50 worth
of stock in Lucas for the sake of ac-
quaintance and prospective advance
ment in society circles, said he loaned
Lucas $50 on March and took his note
payable in six weeks. The note is not
due yet. Story's tale did not tend to
substantiate the charges against the
man.
Mrs. Helen Nero, with whom Lucas
roomed at 202 Wooster street, was the
next witness.
Mr.. Matthewman read a quantity of
letters written by Lucas to people beg
ging sums of money.
Lucas was next put on the stand. He
said his name was Joseph Lucas, and
that he was born in England. He came
to Mrs. Mero's house on August l. He
paid s150 per week until October /,
when the price was raised to $3.50 per
week in consideration of the heat fur
nished. He got in arrears and could
not pay up. He owed about $50, and
would pay when he was able.
The case took an unexpected turn in
the afternoon. Attorney Moulton had
concluded his argument for the defense
evidence against the accused of any in
tention to defraud, and none that he
had embezzled any money. '"Fhe case
In a nutshell" said Mr.. Moulton, sis
this: These people came to the accused
and showered presents upon him while
they thought he was a duke or noble
man, but when it was discovered that
he was of inferior rank they were dis
appointed, and now want to make him
suffer-
During Mr.. Matthewman's argument
for conviction it tranSpired that he had
amended the complaint charging Luz
cas- with embezzlement from Mrs Nero
to one charging him with embezzling
as bailee from Fred W. Honey, as, agent
for Trinity church.
Mr. Moulton objected and the whole
three charges were continued until this
morning.
Malcolm Glendenning and Joseph
johnson, two students, We're arrested
by Policeman Was and Special Police
man Bright at Harugari hall about 8
o'clock yesterday morning. During the
progress of the Harugari calico ball
the floor committee ordered the two
young men out of the hall Policeman
Was, who sat at the head of the
stairs leading down from the hall, as
sisted in putting the students out, and
he claimed that Johnson struck him.
He and Policeman Bright chased the
students and caught them In the city
court yesterday morning Was had a
black eye. The cases went over until
to-day and the students, who had spent
the night in the lookup, were released
on bonds, Johnson under $3.50 and Glen
denning under $100, Frank w. Wright
going bonds for both
Court of Common PIeas-Civil Side-Judee
Hotchkiss
Before Judge Hotchkiss> in the COM
mon pleas court yesterday the suit OF
A. N. Allen & Co. against William
Leyerzaph of Grand avenue was tried |
The suit is for goods furnished amount
ing to $12O55, but the bill is disputed |
Judgment rendered in favor of the |
plaintiff for s170.35.
r. w. Lindaburg, judgment foreclos-
ure against j. E. Story. Redemption
first Monday in June.
In the suit of Hiram Jacobs, treas, ct |
al. VS.. Matthew Mcmahon to recover on |
| bond. Judgment was rendered in favor |