The Washington times., 1901-11-25
For pcfrauding the Government.

For Dcfraudins the Government.
The case of Francis J. Kieehoefer'
under indictment for defrauding the
United States Government out oil
nearly a quarter of a million dollars
is to be tried in the Criminal branch.
| Kieckhoefer was formerly disburslng agent
of the State Department, and it is alleged
that when his accounts were inspected
they showed a shortage for a large
amount. He was indicted for embezzle-
nent several years ago, but as yet has not
been called to trial.
About a year ago. while Thomas II. An
derson was United States Attorney for the
, District. the case was prepared FOR trlai
1 bv Assistant District Attorney hugh /.
/ Taggart. but the death of the most I'M
portant witness for the prosecution Causeu
| DELAY. The witness was in Paris, France
where he had gone for his health, at the
time of his death.
Soon after this. Worthington. Heald q
| FraiIey. counsel for Kieckhoefer hled a
demurrer TO the indictment This was
heard by one of the Justices OF the Su-
/ preme Court of the District, who over
ruled the demurrer. special appeal was
| allowed to the Court of Appeals for the
| District.
Considering the press OF other business
| now demanding the attention of District
Attorney Gould it is not probable that
the case will be called TO trial before next
| fail.
4 Bank Cashier Awaiting Trial
Another important case which has been
upon the criminal docket for a long time
is that of Charles II. Allender. under in
7;-..,,o,, f1r or,bayyTarap+ and also for
obtaining money under false pretences.
Allender was formerly cashier of the old
Dime Savings Bank, which was afterward
merged into another financial institution
The complaining witness against Allen
der was R. Rodney Burt, who only few
weeks before he became involved with AL
lender in some financial transactions had
arrived in Washington from the Fiji Is
lands Burt is quite old, and though moth
ing OF a fnancer had during his stay in
the South Sea Islands accumulated con-
siderable fortune.
Besides tfe money which Burt brought
to Washington with him he also had
large amount on deposit in a bank in
Australia This, he said, he was per-
suaded by A1lender TO transfer to the
local bank 1t was the denial of the re-
ceipt of this fund by Allender which caus-
ed Burt to make Investigations, which
resulted in the indictment of the bank
cashier Allender gave bond for his ap-
pearance to answer the Indictment found
against him. and il is said soon after
ward left Washington.
II is not expected that this case viii
be called to trial during the present
term of court. as a great deal OF the time
| of the session will be taken up with the
| trial of four persons now in Jail charged
with murder. who VIII be given hear
4sa.-1- 1-1 nfg .ar ha ulT q
of the Boline case.
Marital Difficulties of the Rodneys.
In the equity branch Of the Supreme
Court the pending case which is being
most closely watched by the general pub
lie is the dnal settlement of the domes-
tic troubles Of the Rodneys, which will
come up in the divorce court. In one
phase or another the proceedings for lin
tied divorce which Margaret E. Rodney
instituted against her husband, Robert
Burton Rodney. L. 5. y. retired, has oc-
cupied the attention OF the local courts
almost continuously for the last ten
months.
In refutation of the charges made
against him by his wife. and in 5usuhea-
tion Of his own course OF action, Mt. hod-
pey mas contributed many interesting,
! in the case The proceedings now pend
/ ing consist OF suit for limited divorce,
! Instituted by Mrs Rodney. and a petition
| for absolute divorce filed by her hus-
/ band.
| Soon after the marriage OF the parties
I Mrs Rodney started suit for malnte-
nance But a reconciliation was effected
with her husband and the suit was aOan-
! doned.
Mr. Rodney was ordered by the court
| to pay his wife alimony in the sum OF
$40 per month. He made vigorous pro
! test against this order, in which he said
thai his wife was crazy on the subject OF
alimony and suggested that if she ever
had a female heir it sh,uld be named
Ammonia" Within the last few days,
through his counsel, Mr.. Rodney petition
cd the court TO reduce the amount of ali
| mony he is required TO pay but II was
denied
The cases will probably come to a final
hearing before the Christmas holidays.
Wants Divorce From PardOned Con-
Wet.
Another suit, which viii come on for
| hearing in the divorce court. is that OF
| Minnie May Falk against Macmillan Falk,
| from whom she asks legal separation on
| the grounds Of deseruon.
( Eaih inquired prominently III the tIlIll-
I mai courts of the District about two years
( ago. He was put on trial for a violation
! of the Law Of the age OF consent On the
| second day OF the proceedings he created
a sensation by jumping his bond and flee
| ing from the jurisdiction. His trial was
proceeded with and he was found guilty.
! About si1 months afterward he was found
| in New YOrl, City, brought back to Wash
| ington and sentenced to six months i'm
| prisonment in the penitentiary. short
| time before his term of sentence expired,
| Falk was pardoned by President McKin-
| ley. on affidavit made by Hattie May
! Davidson. the witness on whose complaint
Falk was indicted. In heI affidavit the
| girl swore that she testified falsely at the
| trial which resulted in the conviction of
| Falk.
Throughout his trial, and while he was
| a fugitive from justice, Mrs. Falk stood
! by her husband. 1t was not until after his
| release from prison that she filed her
| complaint against him.
Two Important VIII Contests.
In the probate division of the court two
very important cases are pending, both in
volving the construction of the Wills of
testators, who left estates valued at over
81 600, 600 each One Of these is the Uter-
mehle contested will case, and the other
| the Mcpherson case
! In the former case the proceedings were
| instituted by Charles II Utermehle in con
| nection with the settlement OF the estate
| CT his father George W. UteTEiehle. who
| died leaving real estate in the District
| worth nearly 81, 900 .O00. The contest over
J the estate Of the late John Il. Mcpherson
WAS begun by his daughter Mrs EdIa
| Mcpherson Muir, who IS appealing to the