The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-06-23
RILED YOUNG HOOS
Police Justice Didn't Like
Rumor Of Harney's
Remarks.
POLISH FAMILY COMPLAINED
Said They Had Given Money
to Obtain Release of
Prisoner.

John gIarney and Felix Mehonski, both
of No. 139 Essex street, were held for the
Grand Jury this morning by Police JUS
tice Hoos on a charge of obtaining money
under false pretences The warrants were
issued and served in the court room and
both men were held in $500 each.
The arrest of the two men is sequel
to story in "The News some weeks ago
concerning the assault of Stephen
.Chunkey, of NO. 10 Essex street, on his
wife MARY on Memorial Day last. The
woman was in a delicate condition at the
time of the assault and she was obliged to
go to the City Hospital, where she spent
two weeks. Chunkey was arrested the
day of the assault. He was arraigned in
the First Criminal Court as soon as his
wife was able to leave the hospitaf and
was fined $40 and costs, in default of the
payment of which he was committed to
the county penitentiary for five months
Mrs. Chunkey was in almost destitute
circumstances. Deprived of her hus-
bands support she inquired by what heans
hec ould be relased from prison. Her
brother, Michael Booda, of No. 10 Essex
STREET took up the cause. BY Chunkey's
fellow employees forty-four dollars We're
subscribed. Booda contributed ten more
and Mrs Chunkey raised $40 herself.
Through ignorance of the laws and Gus
toms of thisc ountry and the English
language they did not know exactly what
course to adopt in securing Chunkey's
release. The services of John Harvey,
an alleged power among the Poles of lower
Jersey city, were enlisted. He promised
= HAOS and
secure Chunkey's release. He did not in
form the parties, of the amount of the
fine but said that it was necessary to
raise $685. This money it is alleged was
given to Harvey, who secured /counel
and appeared before Police Justice Hoos.
Application for reduction of the fine
was made. Mrs. Chunkey's poverty and
consequent distress were vividly pictured.
Justice Hoos reduced the fine to $25 and
costs, but was not sure that he had the
right to liberate the defendant after he
had been committed to the Penitentiary.
He consulted Judge Blair of the Court
of Common Pleas, but did not receive a
direct opinion.
While the matter was pending the
friends of Mrs. Chunkey grew suspicious
of Harney. Justice Hoos's attention was
rumor reached His Honor's ears to the
effect that Harney had secured the money
on the pretext that it was necessary ito
fix the Judge"
He determined that the matter should
be thoroughly sifted and summoned Har-
ney and all the interested parties into the
court yesterday. He laid the case over
until this morning, in order to give Fiar-
ney chance to produce the money. In
the course of the earlier Investigations 1t
was found that Felix Mehonski had acted
as interpreter for Harney and was mixed
up in the money transaction. Mrs.
Chunkey swore positively this morning
that she paid the money over to Me
honski
During this mornings investigation hot
words ensued between Harvey and the
Justice. The Justice demanded of Harnsy
that he produce the money. Hanley, who
is hot headed, declared he would not pro-
duce it until complaint was made
against him. He said he wanted to find
out who was the complainant. At one
stage of the proceedings he said he would
waive examination.
s'IIave you got that money!" asked the
Justice, glaring savagely at Harney
with all respect to your Honor do
not propose to tell you where it is until
there is a complaint made against me-
You have circulated stories to the eff
feet that this money was paid to the
Justice. 1 order you to produce that
money TIL give you until six o'clock
this evening to do so. If it is not forth
coming I'll have you locked up
"Thats what I'm here for" said Har-
ney.
"You got Justice Nevin into trouble in
the same manner I'll have no monkey
business like that going on around me
and won't have you cheating these poor
Poles" declared the Justice with much
emphasis He ordered Clerk Mccormick
to make out warrants for Harney's and
Mehonski's arrest on charge of obtaining
money under false pretences. Mrs.
Chunkey was the complainant.