Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-14
Grand Jury Returns Five
Indictments Against J.
E. Herrell
OTHERS ARE INVOLVED
True Bills Found in Cases of Robert
f. Herrell, W. w. Garrison and H.
c. Ryckman

Manassas, Jan. IA. The spe-
cial grand jury, impaneled investl-
gate the clerks office of Prince Will
liam county, yesterday returned five
indictments against Capt. j. E. Her
rell clerk, charging hin with forgery
and uttering as true forged orders and
warrants. Seven indictments were re-
turned against his son and deputy,
Robert f. Herrell, charging him with
similar offenses. One Indictment was
found against w. W. Garrison, charg
| inc him with uttering or employing
as true forged or false warrant for
money, and one Indictment charges
Fl. c.. Ryckman with similar off
ense.
The grand jury. which had asked
for thirty-four indictments, was adj
iourned over until today, as the Com
monwealth's attorney had not time
to prepare all of the indictments be-
| fore the hour of adjournment was
reached. The jury hns not completed
its Investigations, and further indict-
| ments may follow.
~.
F.. Herrell and w. w. Garrison,
were returned, the Commonwealth's
attorney stated to the court that his
relations to the clerk were such that
he felt he should not prosecute the
l.sase against him, and, there were rea-
sons why he could not prosecute w.
w. Garrison, He asked the court to
appoint some one to conduct these
cases.
Judge j. b. T. Thornton said that
he would not preside at the trial OF
any of the cases, and would ask Gov
ernor Stuart to designate judge to
trv them. He also stated that, after
conference with the Board of Super
visors, an attorney found another
county would be selected to represent
the prosecution. No intimation was
given as to what attorney will prose-
| cute.
Garrison gave pail for his appear
ance at the first day of February
court. The court intimated that all of
the cases where the defendants ap-
| peared would be continued to the same
day.
Cant. J. E. Herrell Confederate
veteran, was treasurer of this county
from July, 1899, until February, 1911
when he resigned, on account OF the
failure of the Virginia Safe Deposit t
and Trust Corporation, surety on his
official bond, In 1907 a suit was
brought against him, as treasurer, by
the Board of Supervisors charging
| irregularities, in his office, and in 1912
the State Supreme Court of Appeals
| affirmed the decision of the lower
court against him. In the meantime
he was elected clerk of the Circuit
Court, of the county, He :appolnted
his son, Robert Edward Herrell, as
his deputy, and his daughter, jamie
Shields Herrell. copyist in his Of
/ flee, under the title Of "assistant
clerk"
! In October 1915, the attention Of
the Board of Supervisors was directed
to a number of alleged irregularities
in the clerks Office, and upon the re-
quest of members of the board, Judge
Thornton on December 6, impanelet
a special grand jury to investigate
these charges.
$ On December the grand jury re
, turned one indictment against Rober
! E. Herrell charging him with forger!
, and a capias was at once issued To-
/ him. At the same time, the grand jur.
. requested the court to appoint som
! one to investigate the clerks office
} Complying with this request, tn
7 court employed Harry R. Thomas, o
' Alexandria county, whose written re
port is partial one, as Mr.. Thoma
J is still examining certain papers Tile
8 by the clerk; in the Office Of the audi
g tor of public accounts. The indict
] mcnts returned involve charge
3 identical in part with those preferre
in the report.