The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-09
LOST THE LETTER.
John III. Boston Trapped Through
His Own CareIeSsneSs

OWn OsireleSSneSS.
John H. Boston, thought by the authorities
to be one of the cleverest counterfeiters oper-
ating in the Northwest was yesterday after
noon examined before United States Commits
5 stone Hi H; s. Abbott and held to the grand
charged with having made 100 haf-dollar
pieces August % last.
G. R. OReilly, assistant United States at
torney, from st. Paul, conducted the examina-
ton. Boston was not represented by an at
torney, and although given an opportunity
to question the witnesses, refused to do so
throughout the examination, which lasted two
hours, he sat listening intently to the Ques-
lions and to the answers thereto, apparently,
however, the most unconcerned person in the
commissioners room.
During the examination 1t developed that the
hrst hint of Beston's real calling given
the police by John c. Kelly who, with Bees
ton, prior to Jan. 49, conducted a shooting
gallery at GOT Washington avenue south
Kelly was the first witness examined. The
evening of Jan. 20, while Boston was absent
to supper, Kelly had found on the floor be-
meath the hook upon which Boston usually
hung his coat, two letters, one of them ad-
dressed to Boston.
The letters, as afterwards put in evidence
have been written in Joliet, Ill The one
addressed to Boston was signed by Jack
your old pard." 1t described how the writer
had been captured in an Illinois town and
upon his person found several counterfeit
coins. He had been arraigned and held to the
grand jury, and when the letter was written
was III lAC SldIe pIISOH DIT JOil6I. Inc letter,
the writer said, was to be ''sneaked
through.
After detailing the facts in connection with
his arrest, arragnment, etc., the writer asks
that Boston write him a letter to his Chicago
address, which will be delivered at the prison.
after the form of the other letter which was
also found md by Kelly This letter was to be
acknowledge that he had sent the money to
the Chicago man. The letter which Boston
was to copy and mail to Chicago then pro-
ceeded in this manner:
II have been trying to get to Chicago for
some time, but could not l am sorry you de-
cided not to stay with the gang, but to go to
work instead. II you had stayed with us you
would have lots of money now, and be having
a good time. 1 think you will get tired Of
working in little while, and when you do you
any money now and l will send 1t to you.''
The idea, as outlined in the other letter,
was to have the letter which Boston 7tould
mail fall into the hands of the Illinois off,
believe that the man signing himself Jack
was not guilty of making counterfeit coin, and
II they coufd not prove that he was guilty of
attempting to pass it, he would regain his
liberty.
The letters were perhaps the most dam
aging pieces of evidence submitted. Officer
Hicks, to whom the letter had been first
given by Kelly, Officer Mills and Capt Walsh,
OF the secret service department, who ar
rested Boston, swore that Bosom had ac-
knowledged receiving the letter. To Capt
Walsh he had stated that he knew the writer
OF the letters, whose real name was J. A.
Munroe. Fur her than this, however he had
made no statements.
Their was put in evidence also a plaster of
paris dollar mold and several small lots of
chemdcas, which Capt. Walsh said were all
parts OF the coUnterreiters' outfit. These ar
ticles had been found in the room occupied
by Boston and a companion at 100 Seven
teenth avenue north, by Officer Hicks JAM 81
The owner OF the house, and the woman who
mad rented the room to Boston and her COM
pan1on was called, and through an Interpreter
SAID that her name was Mrs. Berger. Boston
had taken the room some time in September
and had occupied 1t until Christmas eve
when he left. During that time he and his
companion spent most of their time there.
Inc stove in the ROOM in which were found
parts of tEe plaster mold, had been used by
Boston. After Bes>on moved out a family of
three had occupied the room for two weeks,
but this sieve had been moved, and was not
| used by them.
After the examination Commissioner Abbott
| asked Boston if he had anything 10 say. AS
| during the taking of the evidence he still
| kept silent.
Il have nc attorney, and until l get one |
| viii have nCrhin to say. l will waive ex-
animation he said.
Asked in regard to what he would consider
| fair bail, the prisoner SAID that the amount
| previously fixed, when he was arrested Feb /
was too large
If you can reduce it, l think | will be able
| to secure a bond said Boston, and upon the
| suggestion of the attorney, The commissioner
| Sc IN In the amount of $500, which Boston de-
| cIared he would be able to secure