The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-08
.SCRUGGS rs CALLED
ST. LOUIS MERCHANT HAS HIS
BEARING FOR SMUGGLING


With the Case-whoI.sais Chinese Adj
mission Frauds Observation-Disclosures and
Son, Convicted, Try suicide In Court
Crimes and Accidents,
New York. June 5.-The second hear
ing before United States Commissioner
Shields IL the examination Of the
charges CT smuggling made against Rich
ard NJ. Scruggs, the ST. Louis dry goods
merchant, and E. S. Langhorne. also OF
81. Louis, was held today.
Mr.. Scruggs was called in his own de-
fenSe. He told about MS purchase OF
jewelry in London. substantially as was
told by Langhorre last Thursday. He
said that ne was constantly with Lang
horne, who carried the common purse
and paid al bills. He was with the latter
when he purchased belt in which TO
keep valuables that would not be safe in
trunks All the articles ne purchased
were for Scrugg's personal use Of for
presents. He gave Larghorne ring and
a scarf pin. On other articles he had
placed the monograns of the persons for
whom he intended them. Most Of them
were for immediate relatives and friends
some Of whom lived in his own house.
What was your idea about customs
duties?' asked Mr.. Ketcham.
81 believed that articles purchased for
oneself or to DE given as presents to ones
friends were not dutiab.e." said Mr..
Scruggs
He also testified that for many years
he had had nothing to do with the i'm
porting business of his house.
Mr.. Scruggs said that the statement
by Inspector Donohue that he had taken
a ring out Of Mr.. Larghorne's pocket,
and also a watch at the district attorneys
office, was false. The ring had been
taken off Langhorne's chain and the
watch out of his pocket at the pier. The
empty boxes for the jewelry in the belt
found on Mr.. Langhorre, ScrugSs said.
were in his overcoat pocket.
There was no necessity for searching
me-" said Mr.. Scruggs. II willingly
gave up all I had
William T. Vandervoort, member of
the Scruggs firm in 81. Louis, testified to
Mr.. Scruggs' good character and said
the latter had nothing to do with the
firms importing.
Charles r. Polk, New York real es-
tate dealer. formerly of ST. Louis, said he
had known Mr.. Scruggs for thirty-five
years and that his character was Of the
highest.
Commissioner Shields said II was IN
necessary 70 cal any more witnesses as
to Mr.. Scruggs' character. and the as
sistant attorney agreed with him, add
ing, however, that it had nothing to do
with the case.
Clarence W. Kipp Of New York, rep
resentative Of the Scruggs firm. testified
as to Mr.. Langhorne's good character.
The commissioner said that he under
stood that Mr.. Scruggs did not dispute
having purchased the iewelry in London
and brought it here; that il was du.iable
and no duty had been paid. He said he
was rot Judging as to guilt, but whether
the defendants should be held for the
grand jury. The evidence was clear, the
commissioner said, that the defendants
bod brought goods without paying duty.
Another important point was the con-
fict OF testimony between Larghorne
and Inspector Dononue about the finding
of the jewel belt. The accused were held
for the grand jury.
Mr. .Scruggs was greatly agitated a.
the result. The bonds were renewed.
NOTED CROOK CAUGHT.
Jackson. Mich, June 5.-Charles Price,
alias Prentice Teller, 1.-THE diamond rob-
ber," a notorious crook, was released
from the state prison this morning but
was Immediately rearrested by a deputy
United States marshal on charge OF
mai, boxes in ST. Joseph, No.
He was taken 70 Detroit for arraignmeat
Price escaped from the prison here four
years ago and was not captured until
two years later. During the interval the
Missouri robberies took place.
THE HOFFMAN MYSTERY.
San Francisco, June 5.-After four
days Of continuous investigation into the
mysterious death OF Isaac Hoffman, the
Battery street merchant. the police have
not advanced beyond the conclusion that
a murder was committed by some per-
son as vet unknown. The cloud OF sus
picion has not been lifted from Theodore
Figel. Hoffmal's confidential clerk and
In the statement made by
Fige, TO the police he said that the firms
profits for the year amounted 10 s32,OOp.
but it now appears that Hoffman's last
act before he met his death was TO write
70 his partner in New York that the firm
had made $50 900 during the year
An evening paper publishes an in:er-
view with Chief of Detectives Bohen in
which he intirsstes that there Is already
a shortage perceptible in the firms books
ard that he expects that when properly
exported they VIII show deficiency %
several thousands.
MORE ABOUT THE Mud sCow.
Chicago. June 5.-One OF three mud
scows in TOW OF the tug Andrew II.
Green. vas blown 20 atoms this morning
BY an explosion o. gas and just after
having passed through the Rusa street /
drax. TIE explosion was heard fcr . /
great distance and all Ire buildings IN /
the vicinity were shaken 20 their fonn- 4
dalOns. Angus, Americas. wa0 xas on /
TIE sc9x. vas bioxu Into the river and /
drowned. \ portion az the Goodrich DOCK I
was shattered and considerable damage /
vas d11s . the 5uil5inzs in hiveiciz /
Ky Frank Morton. nigh; agent q Ire 4
Graham and Morton TTanspor-att5a cen /
pauy. vas thrown from dis bed ana So /
ve-ely injured By flying tlnbeTs.
UNDER 4 FALLING WALL