The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-13
THB COUNTERFEIT CASES.
A WE'LL KNOWN LAWYER GIVEN A
HEARING YEsTERDAY

COunte Appeared Before
the United Mates Commissioners.
Counting n Hearfng-The IN
day.
The Messenger has noted from time
to time that counterfeit silver
dollars, halves and quarters. and
five cent nickel pieces have been in
circulation in Wilmington. On nfor-
nation that counterfsi-ing was ev.jei =
IS going on in ms city, Mr. B. +.
Perry, of the United States sercet SER
vice, with headquarters II Charlotte,
was sent here here To investigate the
matter. He arrived on the 18th Of
May, and the result of his investiga-
tons, as heretofore mentioned in The
Messenger, was that On the 18th %
May Nicholas Poiitz was arrested and
in his safe was found fifty-eight coun-
terfeit silver dollars. A subsequent
search of his store al 119 South Front
street, resulted in the discovery Of two
boxes containing a gasolene smelling
stove. thirty-three cruicibles, a burn
fishing apparatus, eight pounds of scrap
German silver, fifteen pounds Of an
timony and one pound of block tin. AT
an examination before United States
Commissioner S. P. Collier, Politz was
held under a bond of 81, 900 for trial at
the present term of the United States
district court, which convened in Will
mington last Tuesday and is still in
session. Subsequently, Politz's bond
was increased to S., 0 and he is still
in jail, not having been able to give
bond.
On the same day that Politz was ar
rested, a young man named Walter
Silvy, was taken into custody for coun-
terfeiting nickelS, and a set OF mOuldS
and a large number of coins were taken
in his possession. He was also bound
oven to court in a bond of $500 and is
out on bond.
On the 21st of May, Joe Ounce, col
ored, was arrested on the charge of
counterfeiting nickels, and was bound
oven for trial: He is in Jail, having
failed to give the bond required, in the
sum of $4,000.
Meanwhile, Detective Perry left the
city, but returned here Tuesday to at
tend the United States court when the
counterfeit cases are called. On Tues
day might at 9 o'clock, Deputy United
States Marshal T. O. Bunting, on a
warrant issued on affidavit made by
Mr.. Perry, arrested A. j. Marshall,
Esq, a we'll known lawyer and a man
of excellent standing in the community.
Mr.. Marshall was carried before Com
missioner Collier hat night and he
was represented by Messrs. Marsden
and John D. Bellamy as his counsel. A
preliminary hearing was set for 5 p. m.
Wednesday, n a bond of $4,000 was
required for Mr.. Marshall's appearance.
He promptly gave bond with the
MessrS. Bellamy as his bondsmen.
On Wednesday at 5 p. m, Mr.. Mar
shall appeared with his counsel before
Commissioner Collier. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Oscar j. Spears was
present in behalf of the government. In
addition to Messrs. Marsden n John
D. Bellamy, the Hon. George Rountree,
Herbert McClammy, Esq, and George
L. Peschau, Esq, also appeared for Mr..
Marshall. Owing to the absence Of
Detective Perry, the governments main
witness, he having gone to Southport
and moi being able to get back in time,
the hearing was continued till $3.50 p.
m. yesterday in the United States court
room.
Yesterday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock at
the United States court room, Mr.. Mar
shall was on hand with his counsel
Marsden Bellamy, Esq, Hon. John D.
Bellamy, Hon. George Rountree, Her
bert McClammy, Esq, Iredell Meares,
Esq, George L. Peschau, Esq, and
Rodolph Duffy, Esq. Commissioner
Collier presided, and United States
District Attorney Claude Bernard and
Assistant District Attorney Oscar j.
Spears were on HAND to represent the
government. Miss Stella Shrier was
present as stenographer for the de-
fence. A hundred or more citizens in
tnrncfn1 in tho hnopino ur0ra in tha
courtroom.
District Attorney Bernard asked if
Mr.. Marshall was ready for the hear
ing.
George Rountree, Esq, representing
Mr.. Marshall, answered., Yes, he is
ready, and has been ready ever since
this prosecution was started"
MI. Bernard said: 1.-The government
is not ready unless the counsel for the
defendant will admit in evidence the
contents of certain kilograms which
we nave in u possession as being
genuine; that is, the kilograms genuine
and the contents of the kilograms.
detective.) If they will admit the gen.
uineness of it, the contents of it, and
the truth of it, we will be ready"
At this point, Mr.. John D. Bellamy
asked to be permitted to read h tele-
gram.
NIL. DpcdIS ISluScu dl HISl, u dIIC.-
wards permitted Mr.. Bellamy TO AXE
the telegram. Mr.. Bellamy asked the
stenographer to make a copy of it, but
Mr.. Spears refused to let any copy be
taken.
Mr.. Bellamy said then: I'VE won't
admit 1T if o refuse to give Us a copy
because it may be a forgery Of this de-
tective."
The telegram purports to be the copy
of a bill of sale to Mr.. Marshall. The
Messenger representative got a glimpse
of it, and the following is a copy:
philadelphia, Pa, June 5.
B. F. Perry, United States Secret Ser
vice, Wilmington, n. c.:
"A j. Marshall, November, 1898:
Anthony Is pounds at 60 cents, SO;
g%ranulated silver, So ounces at 65 cents.
$23.4O; German silver, 10 pounds at 65
cents, $3.50; bronze, 8 pounds at 40 cents
$1.20-$40.10.
October "a, 1S9S-Granulated silver,
II ounces, at 65 cents-s7.S0.
(Signed)
Penn. Smelling and Refining Works"
District Attorney erna said: IF