Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-05
Indicted in Georgetown Build
ing Association Case.
CHARGE OF HIDING BOOKS
Former Secretary Treasurer Now Un.
der Bond in Police Court.
TWO TRUE BILLS FOR MURDER
Grand Jury Returns First Degree
and John P. Trilling.

John Barton Miller, former secretary
treasurer of the First Cooperative
Building Association of Georgetown. was
indicted today by the grand jury for the
alleged concealment of the books of the
association. Mr.. Miller is under $1O.O 900
bonds to answer in the Police Court on
the same charge. 1t is likely that he
Court
Miller was confined to his home with
nervous prostration last July when pro-
ceedings were instituted by several
stockholders of the building association
for the appointment of a receiver to
wind up the affairs of the association.
The board Of directors secured counsel
to fight the application, and had pre-
pared an answer setting forth that the
association was solvent and had assets
worth 100000.
On the night before the answer was to
be filed some one suggested that the safe
be opened and an examination of the
books made. Miller had the key to the
safe. it was said, and the decision was
reached to force the door. CONSERVATION
reigned. when the swinging doors dis
closed a vacant receptacle where the
books were said to belong. The directors
then consented to the receivership and
Attorney William E. Ambrose was ap-
pointed by Justice Wright as receiver.
Mr.. Ambrose Immediately took steps to
have Miller brought into court and rule
was issued on him to show cause why he
Ch hpu1d ne n r. e..
celver.
Disclaimed Possession.
BY his answer Miller admitted that the
books were not in his possession and de-
elned to answer more fully, claiming the
constitutional prerogative. that further
answer might tend to incriminate him.
Receiver Ambrose then took the case
to the Police Court and warrant was is
sued on the charge OF destroying the
books.
Miller gave bail under that charge and
has since been at liberty.
The indictment is in one count and.
after describing the association and the
books kept by it. charges
That on the twenty-fifth day of June.
in the year of our Lord one thousand
nine hundred and eight, and at the Dis
trict aforesaid, the said John Barton
Miller. late of the District aforesaid. un-
lawfully. willfully and with intent to de-
fraud and injure the said association
and the said stockholders and members
thereof, did take away and conceal each
of the said books hereinbefore in this in
dictment particularly described, each of
said books then and there being the
writings. records and property of the
said association and it's stockholders and
members, against the form Of the statute
in such case made and provided, and
against the peace and government of the
said United States
Collier Indicted in First Degree.
John w. Collier, a former patrolman
of the fifth precinct, was indicted for
first degree murder in connection with the
killing of his chief. Capt. William Ma
thews, March ) last, in the captains
room at the station.
Collier had been absent from reserve
duty and was reprimanded by Capt. Ma
theWs. His absence continued, and about
I 30 o'clock March ) Collier entered the
station, asked for his mail and when the
captain was disengaged Collier entered
his office.
Shortly afterward a pistol shot rang out
and other officers ralnning TO the cap
tain's room found Mathews stretched out
on the floor and Collier standing over him
with pistol in his hand
Collier Is said to have admitted the
shooting. but declares he will Justify the
attack when called for trial He declined
10 give any further statement.
Murder III the fIrSt degree Is the charge
made by the grand jury against John P.
Trillins. who is accused of killing Luz
,rctia Corliss. his wifes grandmother,
January 20 last. at her home, 6lo /. street
southwest. The man is said TO have used
Charged With Perjury.
William \. Barrett. thrty-three years
old was indicted today by the grand jury
for alleged perjury in connection with an
application for d civil service examination.
Barrett applied for the position Of letter
carrier and according to the indictment.
| III filing out the answers to the questions
considered material by the civil service
/ commission as protection to the govern
| not been convicted OF any crime or mis-
/ demeanor.
The indictment charges that some
months prior to signing the application
| Barrett. then a proba tionary appointee I'm
| the Department of Commerce and Labor
| had been charged in the Police Court
with violation of the pharmacy law for
! the sale of posons, in that. ii is alleged,
| he secured an opate drug on pre-
/ licensed physician. The record shows
that Barrett admitted his guilt and paid
| fine of so.
/ The fact was discovered by reference to
the department, where lle had been drop
ped unsatisfactory, and the alleged
discrepancy in the new application came
| To light. The civil service commission re-
ferred the matter to the Attorney General
VINO asked Mr.. Baker to present the case
1 To the grand jury. The indictment fol-
| lowed.
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