New-York tribune., 1900-09-06
ALLEGED GREBNGOODS MAN HELD.
DETECTIVE IMPERsoNATEs COME ON
AND ARREST FOLLOWS.

Charles Mortar alias Charles Spinner, an alleged
greengoods man. was brought here from Phiia-
delphia yesterday afternoon and arraigned before
United States Commissioner Alexander on charge
of having used the mails FOR fraudulent purpose.
Mortar was held in 5000 bail for examination
next Friday. The letter that figures In the case
was mailed from this city, so the alleged crime
was committed within the jurisdiction OF the Fed
eral courts here
The first information OF the case here was con-
tained in a letter received by Chief Postof1ce In
spector King from w. w. Dickson, acting post
office inspector in charge at Philadelphia. Inc
letter told of Mortans arrest and his being turned
over the Federal authorities for removal to TINS
city AS nothing was known about the case, no
action could be taken here. 1t was understood
that Judge Mcpherson, of the Eastern District OF
Pennsylvania who sent Mortar here, had acted
on the supposition that proceedings had been begun
against the prisoner in this city. 1t said that
the prisoner at any time after being taken into
custody by the Deputy Marshal could have claimed
legally that there was no Jurisdiction in his case
and demanded immediate release. AS it was. there
was a rush to begin proceedings against Mortar
Immediately after arrival In the Federal Build
ing and in a few minutes he was legally held.
The letter which Mortar is charged with sending
through the mails sent from this city TO
Charles H. Ferris of Pitman Grove. n. j. 1t ar
ranged that Mortar should meet Ferris at the
Hotel Vendig in Philadelphia August 20. and
exchange counterfeit money for $500 in good money
Ferris sent the letter to the police of Philadelphia,
and Detectives Crawford and Hamm were put Oh
the case Crawford went to the Hotel Vendig and
registered as Ferris. Mortar did not arrive until
the 9th He registered Spinner. as agreed upon
In the letter.
Mortar was pointed out to Crawford. and after
short conversation the two men went to Mortans
room in the hotel. There Crawford produced the
letter written by Mortar TO Ferris, and asked
Mortar If he was the who had sent the letter
Mortar said that he was and that everything was
all right. After little more conversation Mortan
evidently became suspicious of Crawford, and sud
denly seized the letter and tore 1t in half; Craw-
ford called out, and Detective Hamm rushed . INTO
the room. The detectives stopped Mortar from
damaging the letter any more and put him under
arrest Mortar finally turned over to the
Federal authorities in Philadelphia. He had an
examination before United States Commissioner
Craig there and was held in $1,000 bail. and later
turned over to the United States Marshal to be
brought TO this city.
At the examination In Philadelphia Mr. Ferris ri
testified that Mortar to his laundry, in PIT
man Grove, n. J.. on August g. He said tnat
Mortar told him (Ferris) that he had very par
ticuIar line of goods that he would like to show
him. Ferris said that he asked what the me wa was 3
and that Mortar answered. Zones. twos and hves
Mortan showed him. he said, several banknotes
that he said were counterfeit but looked good and
agreed to take $500 for bad money representing Soo