The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-25
MainPOint in Case Against
Steinert Company.
Administrator Says Arm
strong Did Not Embezzle.
Sues to Recover Over 10000 Paid
Because of Threats Made.

Judge Aldrich OF New Hampshire was
on the bench of the United States District
Court this morning to hear the case OF
Warren B. Wesley W. M. Sieinert Sons d
Co. Mr.. Wesley is tho adHinistrator Of the
time previous to his death was employed
as bookkeeper for the Steinert ccrpora-
tion. The suit is to recover the sum OF
"a, l50 alleged to have been paid by the
late Cyrus Armstrong as hush money. 1t
Will be recalled that Armstrong was ac-
cused of embezzling from the hteinert cor
poration ana the charge was made that he
had appropriated more than Sl2. COO be-
longing to the Steinerts. II will also be
recalled that some time after the sccusa-
tion Armstrong died under circumstances
that indicated suicide. Previous to mis-
death he had paid the defendant corpora
tion m ore than half that amount and the
suit Is to recover the money he paid for
the estate. Armstrong paid the Steinerts
In instslments according to the testi-
mony today the following sums at diner-
ept times. The first pay ment was 500, he
second 1900, the third 1850. the fourth
5000, the fifth s2o0 and note for $500. II
will also be recalled that experts failed
to sgree as to the fact Of embezzlement
after examining the books. Some Of the
experts declared that not q penny nad
been taken from Steiuert corporation
and that the supposed inaccuracy in tte
books was simply an effort to make the
business of the corporation appear lsrgtr r
than 1t really was.
In this opinion a Boston expert differed
and the steiuerts insisted on restitution
being made by Armstrong. In the attempt
to save himself from disgrace Armstrong
paid the money, 1t Is alleged to the cor
wants IL back. The trial began at IL
O'Clock this morning. Augustus S.Miller,
Esq. was counsel for tire Steinert CORPORA
tion and Cook and pesrss appeared for
the plaintiff.
Joseph NJ. Mann was the first witness.
wss accused of the theft he was nearly
heart broken. He told OF the plan of set
Element and the amounts paid TO Edward
steinert. They were iDstalments as
slreauy stated. The money was obtsined
from Armstrong at the Roger Williams
Loan Association. He steted that he saw
a note dated October, 1892, signed by
Cyrus Armstrong for s93SS. 1, WAS made
payable to a. Steinert Sons & Company,
and payabl on 1emand. The witness tes-
titled that Steinert had said that Arm
strong demanded his note and he mad
to give it back. Witness also ssid that
Edward Steinert told MIN tnat II he had
bis way he would not take Armstrong;
money, but Alexander Steinert insisted on
takiug IL. He had heard Edward Stinerl
say that Armstrong had not taken money
and experts bad proved 1t. He had de-
olarsd that Armstrong was q fool fol
paying the money. In answer to the
question regarding Edward Steinert's pre-
sent wherea oouts the witness said thst tt
| the best OF his knowledge he WAS in -hos
ton. He testified as To his absence from
| the store after Nh. Arm trong's death anC
| to Mr.. Steinert's apparent failing ialth,
| He gave In his testimony a review of tb
| neuthl u pASibtAt ebt th'
development of the causes which led tint
witness, to retire from the employment o
| the corporation. In answer to MIR
| Miller he said that MIR. Armstrong KEEP
| the books. and handled all the cssh. III
received sll money paid in and the wit
ness also described the method Of sale
as carried on by the steinert's. lie hrs
knew of Armstrong's trouble in tn
summer OF lS02. lie heard IL from Mr.
| Robinsont who said thst Armstrong
statements showed si2, 22s less thoD Arm
| strong's statement called for.
Mr.Mann further testified that Mr.Arm
strong had been instructed 10 place ficlic
ious entries in tue books by several mem
bers OF tho corporation and that Sir
Armstrong had followed those instruc
tions. Tne witness declared that all ths
he knew about delicious profits was tol
him by members Of the corporation.