Evening journal., 1904-08-05
CHARGED WITH
STEALING LEAD
Superintendent of Newport
Fertilizing Company Held
for Court
He DENIES HIS ALLEGED GUILT
Freeman Ericsson, Conrad seibel and
isaac Collins Were Arraisned Before
Judge Cochran in City Court This
Morning.

Morning.
An interesting case was heard by
Judge Cochran in City Court this
morning it being that of Freeman Eric
son, employed as superintendent by the
Newport Fertilizer Company. and Con-
rad Seibel and Isaac Collins, employees
of the company.
The men were charged with stealing
two thousand pounds OF lead, the prop
erty of Benjamin Sacks and Morris SUI
garman, former junk dealers. Sacks
testified that on March 11th last he
bought from Ericsson a lump quantity
of lead for S375. When he received the
metal he discovered that about two and
one-half tons of the original consign-
ment Of the lead had been stolen. He
reported the matter to the railroad Off
eials. thinking the metal had been sto-
len while in transit to this city. The
metal had been stripped from a tank at
the works Of the Newport Fertilizer
Company
William II. Ward. colored, a former
employe of the fertilizer company, tes-
titled that he saw Sebel take some of
the lead which had been sold TO Sacks,
while the metal was being carried by
Seibel to the freight car. The lead the
defendant took. he carried to the Office
of the company Seihel and Collins
were both employees of the fertilizer
company under Ericsson. Ward said
that Ericsson discharged him when
he learned that he was a witness i'm the
case against him. In cross-examina-
tion. however Ward said that Ericsson
had told him. before the present trouble
occurred. that he would have to dis
charge him as work was becoming
slack
Found Lead in Cellar.
John d. Anderson, who was en-
ployed as watchman at the fertilizer
works said that his attention had beer
called to the fact that some of the leac
sold to Sacks had been concealed neal
the premises instead Of being place.
in the freight cars. He and a tract
walker found the lead In the cellar o
a house used by the fertilizer com
pany as an Office. Anderson said h
never .eported the finding Of the leal
! to the officials of the company.
! Frazer ]. TOmlin testified that h.
saw the lead in the cellar of the com
, pany's office.
Wanted to Settle Case.
Morris SugaIman testified that Seihe
asked him after the lead was stoleT
what Sacks intended TO do in the case
Sugarman said lie did not know and re
ferred the defendant TO Sacks Seibe
then offered TO pay the witness 500 il
cash to drop T case. saying at th'
time that he did not receive any of thi
money realized from the sale of thl
lead.
Sacks was recalled to the stand ant
said that while he was in a local hospi
tai ILL., Seibel visited him and of
fered to settle the case.
The defense put Ericsson on the stand
He testified that he sold the lead n
question to Sacks for 1925. and not SS7
as was testified TO by Sacks. He sail
that Sacks made several proposition
to him to steal the lead. Ericsson sail
he was employed by the fertilizer com
pany at salary of between S125 AM
$3.50 month. At the time the cad wa
being removed to the freight he tool
about one hundred pounds of the lea
for use as sinkers for a fishing seine
He said he later gave orders to hav
this lead put in the car. Ericsson sail
: Sacks told him that he believed Sugar
= man and some of his friends had stolei
the lead and hid it in the west yarl
of the Pennsylvania railroad. Sugar
man and Sacks at this time dissolvel
partnership.
Lead For Fishing Nets.
Seibel admitted taking some lead 70
use as sinkers for fishing nets at tn
direction Of Ericsson, but later put tn
lead in the freight cars, Ericsson havmi
come to the conclusion that the leal
was not needed. Seibel denied that n
> offered to pay Sacks 800 in cash &
settle the case. while the latter wa
under treatment in the hospital. Afte
hearing all the evidence I'm the case tn
Court held Ericsson and Seibel in $50
bail each for the upper court. Collin
? was discharged.