The New York Herald Newspaper, March 21, 1873, Page 5

SEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH ZI, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET, TIE BULL'S HEAD BANK. A. Sudden Suspension and a Startling Method of Stealing. How the Robbery Has Been Covered Up and the Clews to the Robbers Destroyed—The Discovery Made Several Weeks Ago— Strange and Reticent Statements by the Officers of the Institution— The Books Either Stolen or Mutilated by the Defaulters. The Former Standing of the Bull’s Head Bank—Its History and Supposed Resources and Liabilities—Bumors on Change. Yesterday people on ’Change, and in most bust- ness quarters to which the rumor reacned, were startled by the announcement that the stanch old Bull's Head Bank, at the corner of Twenty-fifth street and Third avenue, long believed to be almost invincible in point of financial strength and man- agement, had suspended payments, and that its affairs, in a most confused condition, were under- going careful and anxiousexamination. The cause Of the stoppage was not definitely known by many Persons about town; but proceeding to the doors of the bank building one might have seen posted up in conspicuous’ position over the steps of the stoop the following notice :— OOO ROLOLETELONELE DELON DNNEDODE HE DE. : BANK CLOSED, AFFAIRS ARE BEING INVESTIGATED—WILL a PORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AON AOIOLIOOELOLOIE DEED LE DODEEO IEEE OODOEE In front of this unsatisfactory announcement a Small crowd had gathered on the sidewalk and Bteps, in the midst of which there were severa: very excited individuals whose minds were troubled regarding their petty deposits in the bank, while ‘Others, who had really large sums in its keeping, Were possessed of comparative calmness, and looked upon the sudden event which had over- taken itin arather depreciative light as to the magnitude of the disggter. This feeling was, of course, encouraged by Messages from the interior of the counting room, the entrances to which were strongly guarded by half a dozen policemen, who spoke in mysterious whispers, like the watchers by a deathbed, A poor and trembling man came rushing up with gcrumpled bank check in his hand, and riveted by his frantic actions the gaze of all those present. He wrung his hands and snapped the joints of his fingers with a bitter expression of countenance, as if thereby to get rid of some hideous hallucina- tion which afflicted him. The amount belonging to him which was in jeopardy was $40, with which, if he could draw it, he had hoped to meet a very pressing bill. The smaliness of the check and the greatness of the necessity of getting it cashed formed a ludicrous contrast. But perhaps the man’s anguish was occasioned by some former ex- perience of the horrors of the ‘upper tier” in Lud- low street, 7 In the midst of his singularly incoherent ravings tears actually started from his eyes and his face turned purple with emotion, He was at length quieted somewhat by the comforting ministrations pf the persons about him, whose persuasions in- fluced him to believe that matters were not so bad ts they seemed. Still he could not get his money in time to settle his bill, and went away very down- hearted. Alter much difficulty and after several times being retused any information, a HERALD reporter succeeded in obtaining a favorable reply to the fol. owing note :— To Mr. E. F. Mean, President :— Will you be kind enough to give me what information u safely can concerning the trouble tn the aftairs of the nk? Tt would ceriawly be much better ior you it the press were given reliable and official intelligence on the bject than if they were left to interpret the multitu- jinous rumors that are abroad. After considerable further delay the reperter was finally admitted into the barricaded building and ushered into the private office of the Presi- flent, where he found that gentleman, in company with another and gray-haired officer of the bank. Mr. Erastus F, Mead, who is only President pro tem., was elected about three weeks ago to that position, subsequent to the discovery of the trouble in the affairs of the institution and upon the resignation of its old and nonorea head, Mr. Richard Williamson. What significance this re- tirement has in connection witn the present dim culty—if indeed it has any—caunot yet be ascer- tained. Itis stated, however, upon what appears to be good authority, that the Board of Directers has of late ocen divided by internal feuds about the discounting of certain notes, which culminated tn the adoption of resolutions calling upon Mr. Williamson to resign his office, to which request he at first very strongly demurred, but finally yielded. It is asserted that this was the primary Cause ofthe “crash.” One faction of the Board did, it is alleged, everything in their power to hamper the anairs of the bank, and caused many sons Who had large deposits to withdraw them, They furthermore, It is said, used all their infu- ence to induce the Metropolitan Bank to refuse to act any longer as clearing agent for the Bull's Head Bank. INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT. Mr. Mead received the reporter with a nervous air and invited him to be seated, In answer to in- quiries he said :— “We have discovered that there has been money extracted from the bank, but in what manner we cannot tell. Iam unable to give any figures re- garding the loss.” “Why are you in this ignorance ?” “The books have been mutilated, We know only approximately to what extent’ we have been robbed; but what our estimate of the amount of the detalcations is I would not like to state. We think, however, that the aepositors are safe from loss, “What is the condition of the bank according to your latest balznce sheet’? “That I cannot tell you. The liabilities to de- poets amount, probably, to twelve or thirteen jundred thousand.” ‘What are the assets?” “T cannot tell, as the accounts have been de- stroyed and some of the books taken away, and perhaps ourned.’? “What efforts have peen made to clear up this mystery?” “We have been to work upon it fora week. The Mutilation of the books first cailed our attention to the fact of our losses, One morning the clerk came here and tound them in the condition in which they are now, and discovered, also, that some of them were missing. Ia those which still remain some of the leaves wave been taken right out, One o! the most important of those which have been injnred is the general ledger.” “When was this discovery made?” “1 cannot say. A MEETING OF THE BOARD ‘Was held about three weeks ago, and a committee ‘was appointed to examine ailairs and was com- posed of the iollowing gentiemen :—Messrs. W. L, Cogswell, Jacob Vorhees, Jr. ; Thomas Rae and my- sell, It was only this morning that an expert was called in to aids. We have no suspicion as to who the detauliers. We have found no trace which present would poin’ vo any one, A clerk was sinissed a short time after the discovery, but merely for the reaxou that we wisued to reduce our clerical force. The oniy way we could get at our standing was by taking an inventory, and in doing this we had arrived at that point when we thought it proper to discontinue business, The depositors will lose nothing. Icannot say as to the stockhelders. The surpins at the balance struck on Friday two weeks ago was $76,060. ‘The figures of the report of the expert, which was handed the directors this morning, proach mere nearly the balance arrived at. vy us on last Monday than any other that has been made. Upon its reception the Board resolved to close the bank, The Court will now decide, of course, who shall examine the accounts, ag it is @ case of voluntary bankruptcy, and there will be no meeting of stock- helders called until then,” ‘The President persistently refused to give any More definite statement of matters, and fre- quently in the course 01 the conversation checked certain remarks begun by the gentieman who was with him, as if fearful that something oi an un- Pleasant nature might be divuiged. RUMORS AND FACTS. ‘The other banks of the city were aware of the contused condition of the affairs of the Bull's Head Bank on Wednesday, but not that there was dan- ger of @ failure, Other persons haying some knowledge in the Matter were also seen yesterday by the reporter, and stated that the ‘delalcauon amounted to $300,000, The Metropolitan Bank is said to incur No loss, having received yesterday morning the following notilication, Bouts Hinap Bax arch 20—3 0'C E. F. MEAD, President pro te GW. WILLETT, Cashier, W.W, Me KITE Assistant Cashicr, that in consequence ix yet una cation or loss, ti ntable to us, just discovered that this bank is insolvent anc unable fo meet its Habilities. A committee of owt Byard wave been all mighs at open for business this morning, Semotiry you ss'carly as posaighe, that you may refuse to redeem Y iy ior us, Very ‘respectiy) W. WILLETT, Cashier. juarterly statement of the bank was made peoeiber 28, 1872, and is as follows:— +++ $200,000 One of the rumors of the street yesterday regard- ing the defalcation was that one of the clerks had recently disappeared very suddenly and had not been seen since. It was strongly asserted that he must have absconded with the stolen money. Other oy ek are to the effect that certain omMcers of bank have been speaged in heavy speculations im which they it great’ sums. if their appropriation of the property of the bank has been going on, as it Seems to have been, for any great length of time, the statement given above of its condition at the end of the last quarter must be false, and was falsely sworn to by the officers, whose names must always be in the affidavit accompanying it. On Wall street yesterday it was said that one of the tellers anda kkeeper of the bank were the de- faulters, and had taken not only the entire capital, but also the surplus of the bank. A thorough investigation o/ its affairs, which will now be made by an order of Court, will probably develop some startling tacts, and may, it is hoped, fix the guilt of the crime where it belongs, The Bull’s Head Bank is one of the oldest in the State, and has always possessed a fine reputation for the safety of its deposits. THE COURTS. John Roche, of the ship Liverpool, was brought before Commissioner Shields yesterday, charged with having, while on the voyage from Liverpool to New York, wounded a man named Hugh Little by gashing him across the throat and stabbing him in the head. Held in $1,000 for examination. The trial of Killman, indicted for attempting to rob the Park Bank, came up yesterday in the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The trial lasted but a short time, and the jury, after deliverating nearly an hour, returned a verdict of not guilty, and Killman was discharged, In the Fowler will case yesterday, before Surro- gate Hutchings, Dr. W. A. Hammond testified that in his opinion the decedent, Mrs. Fowler, was un- doubtedly insane at the time of the making of the will, The trial of Benona Howard, indicted for counter- teiting stamps for match boxes, was resumed yes- terday. The evidence for the prosecution was principally that of an approver, who testified as to the arrangements he had made for the engraving and “transfer” of the “eagle” on the penny match stamp. The case is still on, The case of Judge Quinn, Justice of the First Ju- dicia] District Civil Court, against the Comptreller, came beiore Judges Ingraham and Davis yesterday, in the Supreme Court, General Term, on an appeal by the city from an order of the Special Term over- ruling the demurrer of the city and giving judg- ment for the plaintiff for the full amount of his salary at the rate of $10,000. The Court reserved its decision. M The trial of Frederick Heggi, charged’ with the murder of Frederick J. Siegfried, by the alleged ad- ministration of poison, which is now progressing in the General Sessions before Recorder Hackett, had to be suspended yesterday in consequence of the indisposition of a juror. The trial will be re- sumed this morning. Edward 0. J, Hare pleaded gui'ty to a charge of forgery yesterday in the General Sessions. Sent to the State Prison for three years. In the same Court John Williamson, a car pickpocket, was sent to Sing Sing for two years and a half. In the Supreme Court, Brooklyn, the suit of Wil- liam Anderson against the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company of Boston—the particulars of which have already been published —a settlement was yesterday effected, the defendant relinquish- .ing eleven promissory notes for $18,000 and signing a document exonerating the plaintiff (Anderson) from the false charges preferred against him originally by the defendants, and on which the plainti’s counter action was based, COURT OF APPEALS CALENDAR, ALBANY, N. Y., March 20, 1873, In the Commission of Appeals causes Nos. 72 and 82 will be addea to the calendar for Friday, and no further calendar wilt be made up. THE RETRGSCTIVE SALARY STEAL. pot RSTO aa ‘When it became known that some of the mem- bers of Congress intended paying their *‘back pay’ into the Treasury letters like the following were sent to them :— WASHINGTON, D. C., March 12, 1873. DEAR SrR—Keport says you have directed the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House to pay over your extra allowance to the Treasury. If this be so will you not recensider and weigh the ciaims of the monument against all others? Isend youa circular letter, such as is addressed to each mem- ber of the Hele Ce Congress, Very respect- fully, your obedient servant, JOHN 8. BENSON, for the Soctety. THE CIRCULAR—“TO OBLIGE BENSON.’ WAsiINGTON, March 12, 1873, Srr—I beg to call your attention to a circular let- ter which, during the late session of Congress, I had the honer of addressing to Senators and members, suggesting a contribution by each towards the completion of the Washington Monument. About fifty affirmative responses were received, donating sums varying from $26 to $100, and a few negative ones, pleading “inconvenience.”’ Since then (unfortunately when too late for an appropriation during the session) a special com- mittee ef the House, alter examination of tne con- dition of the structure by engineers, and upon a full investigation of the whole subject, have unani- mously reported in favor of a contribution of $200,000 by Congress; and Congress has added $5,000 to the individual means of each Senator and Member. These two circumstances—the one establishing the duty of contribution, and the other rendering it easy to those to whoin before it was inconvenient—encourages the hepe that the entire body of the Forty-second Congress will set an example for their constituents to follow by giving Uberally to this neglected national object. It is publicly stated that many of those who op- posed the incvease of pay intend donating the ac- cruing sum to worthy objects of a public nature. It this be so it is submitted to them that, in the whole range of such objects, there is none more worthy than this; and if all those who voted against the increase were now to turn it over to this cause, they could thus alone complete the monument and win the applause of the world. The suggestion is respectiully urged upon their consideration. Contributions should be sent to President Grant, as President of the Society, or to Joun Carroll Brent, its Secretary. Due acknowledgement will be made in all cases, In all obedience, JOHN 8, BENSON, for Society. “YOU CAN SEND THE DONATION.” MARION, SMYTH County, V March 14, 1873. DEAR Sir—We, see in the papers that you have refused to draw part of the back pay due by act of Congress. A few persons, less than @ dozen, are trying to build a church, an Episcopal church, in this town, and are rather at a stand- still jor means, We vond suggest to your favora- ble coastderation the idea of taking this means ana devoting it ‘> building churches, and we would thank you jor a contribution for that pur- pose. If you feol inclined to respond favorably you can send the donation to Bishop John Johns, Alexandria, Va., and obtige our CHURCH COMMITTEE, THE CASE OF DISTI0T ATTORNEY BRITTON. The changes filed by the chairman of the Com- mittee of Fifty, Mr. £. T. Buckhouse, with the Gov- ernor of the State, against District Attorney Win- chester Britton, 07 Kings county, jor alleged male- feasance in office, have not, up to the present, been given to a commission for investigation. The er hit a copy of a letter from Governor Dix to the “Fiity” upon the subject: Stare or New Youre Execurive Derartwent, Aupany, March 17, 1878. Dean Str—On March 12, 1573, Mr. District Atuorney filed with me his answer to the charges made against him by your committee. Lenclose you a copy, thereof. The answer emphati- cally denied the truth of the charges and documents are su ae tending to show the truth of the defences in- terposed. ituink itdesirable before takiag any further action in the premises to call upon you to make a written reply fo this answer, which you will please to do with!n ten days. Tam, sir, respectiully yours, JOHN A, DIX. ba §, I, Bacrnouss, Chairman of the Committee of Mr. Britton has been informed by this mail ot this action of His Excellency the Governor. Respectfully, SOM DEWAY, Military Secretary. BISHOP OORRIGAN'S CONSECRATION, It has been determined by the Catholic authori- ties of the diovese of Newark that tie consecra- tien of Bishop elect M. A. Corrigan shall take place in St. Patriek’s Cathedral, Newark, on May 4, the third Sunday after Baster and the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph. it has not been an- nounced who the celebrant will be, thongh it is nerally belioved Arcubishop Bayley will oMiciate. The preparations will commence ere long, with a view to having the grandest and most imposing ecclesiastical ceremony ever witnessed lu New Jer- uk, under adyjwe of | sey take place ou ie above date, THE LONDON FORGERIES. Arrest of the Alleged Principal in the Bank of England Frauds. ACTION OF THE AUTHORITIES, George McDonald, alias McDonnell, was arrested at an early hour yesterday marning on board the steamship Thuringia, from Havre, by Captain Irving and Detective Farley, charged with forging and putting in circulation two acceptances of the Bank of England of the amount of £1,000 each and with being concerned with Frederick Albert Warren, George Bidwell, now fugitives from jus- tice, and Edward Noyes, at present in custody, with defrauding the Governor and Company of the Bank of Exgiand of certain sums, amounting in the aggregate to $1,000,000, For some time past Captain Irving has kept up a steady surveillance of all the foreign vessels coming into this port, with the expectation of finding some well known or suspicious chraacter on board one of them, This unusual watchfulness was caused by the knowledge of the frauds committed upon the Bank of England. Nothing, however, occurred to lead the detectives to suppose that any of the forgers had tried to es- cape to this country until the 13th instant, when Captain Irving received a telegram from Inspector Bailey, of the city of London police, stating that McDonald had sailed from Havre, France, in the steamship Thuringia for New York. . THE LONDON POLICE had followed McDonald to Crewe and Liverpool, where he suspected or heard of their movements, but were unable to catch him, as he suddenly changed his mind about starting for Liverpool. He doubled on the police, ran to Chester, from there crossed the country by way of Taunton to South- ampton, from which place he crossed to Havre and managed to get on board the Thuringia unmolested, Inspector Bailey, flading his men were baffled, sent the facts of the case to Captain Irving, with In- structions to arrest McDonald on his arrival, and informing him at the same time that a re- ward of $2,500 would be paid to hi and Detective Farley for their services, > the same time that the London pelice were com- municating with the New York detectives the solicitors and officers ef the Bank of England at London were telegraphing facts and instructions to Mr. Archibald, ° British Consul at this port, and to the American solicitors of the Bank ef England. These gentlemen, working on their own responsi- bility for the authorities on the other side, em- pioyed some private detectives to work up the case, A revenue cutter was secured and the pri- vate officers started down the bay. They had not gone many rope lengths, however, before Captain Irving and Detective Farley were after them, and the private individuals seeing the USELESSNESS OF TRYING to compete with the regular force, put back to town and returned to the seclusion from which they had incautiously emerged. Upon receipt of Inspector Bailey’s despateh Captain Irving laid the matter before Mr. Henry Smith, President of the Board of Police, who detailed Detective Farley to accompany him, and placed the police boat Seneca at the disposal of the officers, The detectives went at once to the office of the United States Marshal and were sworn in as deputy marshals. Then, in company with Mr. Judson Jarvis, they started for the Seneca. Having arrived on board the vessel, they handed to Cap- tain Speight, Commander of the cratt, Presi- dent Smith’s instructions, and shortly after the vessel steamed down the bay. The officers re- mained out cruising about during Tuesday and Wednesday without seeing anything of the vessel. Yesterday morning, however, Sergeant Walsh, of the Semeca, announced that the Thuringia was coming into the harbor, The Seneca immediately moved inthe direction of the big steamer, and the officers at_ the same tiine with tne Quarantine authorities. McDonald was found without much trouble. Detective Farley continued searching for him, while Captain Irving and Judson Jarvis kept watch on deck to see that no one escaped. ‘The detective arrested McDonald just as he dreas- ing to ashore, and Mr. Judson Jarvis hed all beh Pd ae found upon him. On his person rere covered £2,000 gold coin, and in his runks A QUANTITY OF DIAMONDS valued at $10,000 and a large Supply of watches, Jewelry, gloves and other articles of dress, The risoner Was then put on boara the Seneca and rought to Police Headquarters, where he was locked up. The plan of operations Eth a by this gang of forgers, of which McDonald is supposed to be the Principal, was.a most ingenious one, and was car- Tied out with a patience and perseverance worthy ofa better enterprise. They began by opening an ottice close to the Burlington Gardens Branch of the Bank of Englan and assuming an air of serious commerce. To obtain discount ac- commodation with the Bank of England itseli is a very dimicult matter, involving the necessity of an introduction by a director. Of course it would be next to impossible for the principal of a gang of forgers to get such an introduction, as very careful inquiries are made as to character and solvency. The branch of the bank, however, at Burlington Gardeus is a place of much more easy access than the purent institution. The forgers—or, as tlcy should be more properly called, ‘‘check raisers’'— must have beer thoroughly posted ov the internal arrangements of the banks, for their operations were couducted with @ most astonishing pivety and regularity. After establishing the office and putting on as much as possible of .a@ business air tke next step taken by the conspirators was to open a deposit account o! the ordinary character with the branch of the Bank ef England. To do this an introduc- tion by some custumer was only needed, and the only evidence of solvency the bank would re- quire would be the deposit of a sufiicient cash balance. That Was at once forthceming, for the men comprising the firm of brokers were plenti- fully supplied with money. They were evidentiy in no hurry ; at least the principal or head of the firm was @ man ef cool disposition, who could afford to take his time and wait the culmination of tus plans. He took care to i SECURE A GOOD REPUTATION before venturing on his ultimate enterprise. The business of the office over which ne presided went on for some time just like that of an ordinary house in good standing. He drew upon his bui- ance and renewed it, but has always kept it ata good figure. Finding everything going along smoothly, some bills were deposited; they were good bills and passed on their way securely, Still the manager was in no hurry; he seemed to thoroughly understand the charac- ter of the market he was dealing in and he continued his transactions at the bank until he acquired the reputation of a person en- gaged in legitimate business and entirely trust- worthy. All the machinery being in working order the moment was supposed to have arrived for springing the mine. Bad bills were sent in and accepted without hesitation, and this went on until the conspirators had obtained nearly a milion of dollars. Some of the money was invested in United States bonds to avoid the appearance of doing anytaing unusual, as the parties concerned in the affair were known to be Americans. An opin- 10n prevails in London that the bills presented and on which the funds were obtained were forgeries. Such, however, is not the case. It would be next to impossible to yp the bills of many of the leading houses in ndon, for the reasen that the paper used by tnem is peculiarly tinted, marked in water and printed upon in a manner to completely defy imitation. It would also re- quire a penman of most EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS te reproduce with sufficient accuracy to betray a Londen bank official the numerous signatures there must have been on many of these bills. ‘That they passed unquestioned is @ proof of their seeming genuineness, and goes also to show teat they could not possibly be made These bilis were drawn at three montl te, and the Issuers no doubt expected to get safely out of the Way before anything could be discovered in the matter, They entirely ignored the almost inevita- bie chance that always prematurely brings to light transactions of this kind, They presented two bilis upon Which the date of acceptance had been omitt and that negligence reveaied the whole conspiracy. fhe calendar was at their dis- posal, yet the: failed to avail them- selves of @ single day at the hour of their greatest need, “This circumstance points out still more forcibly the fact that the op- erators were not exactly forgers but check raisers. Their manner of operating was, as soon as the business of the office was in running oréer, to pro- cure a check fer a small amount from some mer- chant Known to stand well in the commercial worid, wipe out the figures by means of an acid lately invented for the purpose, and fil im the check again jor any amount the manipalators wished. During” this opera- tion nothing 1s disturbed Hut the writing, the color of the paper and the water marks, Printing and signature are preserved, as they are the prin- cipal things to carry the instrument tarough, ‘there has been A GANG OF THESE same men working in this city sor the past three montik, Some of th were arrested @ icw days ago by Detective and are now awaiting most self-possessed men one could meet. He has not betrayed the slightest nervousness or agita- tion since the moment of his arrest, and conducts himself more like a man against whom some gross outrage was committed than a prisoner charged with a stupendous crime. He is @ tall, fine lookin man, about thirty-two years old, of rather sligh' build, wit a smal! head and dark hair and long, flowing beard, At three o'clock yesterday afternoon he was taken before United States Commissioner Gutman ‘at his office, No, 29 Nassau street, On the man- date issued by the United States authorities the Commissioner made THE FOLLOWING ENTRY :— The defendant, George McDonnell, brought before me this 20th day of March, 1873, under the warrant, and ad- Vised of the charge against him, and desiring an adjourn- ment for examination, he is committed. to the custody of the United States Marshal for examination before me on Tuesday, March 25, 1873, at twelve o'clock, at his request. JOSEPH GUTMAN, Jr., United States Commissioner. The following is a copy of the warrant under which the arrest was made :— WARRANT OF ARREST. Leaving out of the warrant its legal verbiage and superfuous phraseology, it is merely necessary to State that it says complaint has been made, on oath, under the terms of the treaty entered into between the United stutes and England in 1842, beiore Joseph Gutman, Jr., United States Com- missioner, that one George McDonnell, otherwise McDonald, did, on the 29th of February, 1873, at London, together with one Edward Noyes, now in custody in that city, and Frederick Albert Warren and George Bidwell (now a fugitive trom justice). commit the crime of forgery—the utterance of lorged paper—and did feloniously forge and utter, well knowing the same to have been forged, two Several acceptances of two several bills of ex- change, each for the payment of £1,000 sterling, lJawiul money of Great Britain and Ireland, with in- tent to detraud the Governor and Company of the Bank of England; and did conspire to commit the alleged offence with intent to defraud that pank; that McDonnell, otherwise McDonald, was now seek- ing an asylum within the territory and the jurisdic- tion of the United States. The warrant further recites that Sir Edward Thornton, the British Min- ister at Washington, made an appiication, under the tenth article of the Extradition Treaty, for the arrest of McDonnell on the charge above specified. The mandate of the President authorizing the issue of this warrant is signed by Secretary Fish, and the warrant is dated the 18th of March instant, and is signed by Mr. Joseph Gutman, Jr., United States Commissioner, Alter the examination Mr, McDonnell was re- moved to Ludiow street jail, where he will remain until Tuesday next, It may be well to observe that the Commissioner has no power to bail the prisoner, who must remain in confinement until the question of his gutlt or in- nocence has been passed upon in the proposed in- vestigation, A quantity of bonds and other papers mentioned in the telegrams received by Mr. Jarvis not being found upon the prisoner, that oficer obtained power yesterday to search for them wherever he may thiuk they are hidden. Late in the afternoon Mr. Jarvis served Captain Irving and Detective Farley with papers directing them to hand the pris- oner over to the United States authorities, which was accordingly done. THE WABASH FORGERIES, ee ETN, Arrest of the Principal in the Wall Street Swindles. What They Knew at the District Attorney's Office—Austin Also Indicted and Soon To Be Captured—How the Case Now Stands, ‘The readers of the HERALD will remember the forgerics of Wabash and Fort Wayne certificates which came to ligat a few days since; how a num- ber of certificates of these stocks were placed in the Continental Bank by one Austin, the partner of John Oddie, a broker, doing business at No. 9 Broad street, as collateral security against a cer- fication of a check of $25,000, and how, after the deposit of these securities they were found to have been forged, For some time it was not known whom to accuse of the forgeries, but, after a while, suspicion fell upen Austin, the partner of Mr. Oddie, and all the circumstances of the case warranted the assumption that he was the guilty Party, as he had disappeared immediately after being apprised of the discovery of the forgeries. The manner of doing the thing Was suficient evidence of itself that there was more than one person concerned in it, and the whole detective spirit of Wall street Was put upon the track of the case. At firstit was supposed that the criminals had in their employ some one in the office of the Wabash Railroad Com- pany in this clty, who tore the certificates out of the books of the company and transferred them to THE PARTIES IMPLICATED, But this lime of belief seems to have been aban- doned, and it seems pretty evident that the certifl- cates themselves were forged—that is, the designs and lithography—and that the affair was a whole- sale conspiracy to flood the street with these cer- tificates and fly away before the forgeries were discovered, This whole design, if it existed—ana there is every evidence that it did—was nipped in the bud by the action ef Austin in send- ing the certificates to the Continental Bank on Saturday afternoon last. ‘The very stupid blunder, also, of signing the name of a firm which did not exist was the principal reason why the afuir was discovered. Whoever endorsed the cer- tificates put upon them Kuhn, Loeb & instead of Kuhn & Loeb, and the bank immediately sent down to the firm, which prenounced the endorse- ment a forgery. On Monday evening Mr. John Oddie returned to the city, having been recalled by a series ot tele- grains. He immediately made a statement showing his own implication inthe affair, and on thes very next day went vefore the Grand Jury aud gave evi- dence which led to the Grand Jury finding A BILL OF INDICTMENT against Austin and a man named Wright, who was said to have been impiicated m the aifair, Mr. John Oddie ts said to have given his evidence from information and belief. Having been in the ofice at times with Austin he had ofte;. noticed there the man rege and had observed him to be very intimate with Austin. He had never alluded to this intimacy, as it was none of his business, but he had had his suspicions aroused since by the tact that since the departure oi Austin Wrigit hac not been seen, and seemed also to have disappeared, Yesterday afternoon Detective Sampson miys- | teriously went to the District Attorney's oMice in company with @ small built, well dressed man, ‘They crove up to the Chambers street entrance and went in very quickly and unobtrusively. They re- Maiued some time there and then weit out in the same way, re-entered the coach ana crove up- townwards, Shortly after @ HERALD reporter called at the District Attorney's office. Mr. Phelps was in and Was asked about the case, “f wil not deny,” said Mr. Pheips, “that Wright has been arrested, but my lips e neces aly closed about the case, because I understand that some OTHER PERSONS ARE TO BE LOOKED AFTER, and it might spoil the arrest of the others to tell you how this one has been accomplished.” “Have you any objection to let me know in what manner Wright is culpable in the matter?" “I don’t know myseli. Detective Sampson has charge of the case and alone knows how the thing really stands, Wright, however, was arrested on a bench warrant.” Some time aiter the HERaLD reporter saw Mr. Allen, the Assistant District Attor: Mr, Allen said that he knew vory littie of the case; that an indictment had been granted against Wright in conjunction with others. He added that Wright was the real an in the case, and that Anstin was merely @ go-between for Wright and the bank, ‘That frem Wright 1t was beped to get all the ticulars ef the affair and wie were his fellow Spirators, The FBRALD reporter asked whether Wright was ea to be the man who forged the names, rf. Allen said that as he understood it not only did forge the names, but the certificates them- selves—that 18, he had the plates counterfeited and then signed them, Further than this it seemed impossible to obtain. At Police Headquarters, where Wright was taken, he was locked up au secret. They refused to give any information about the matter. MR. ODDIR'S STATEMENT, A reporter culled on Mr. Oddie last evening, at his residence, to learn, if possivle, some jurtuer particulars about Wright. It appears irom Mr. Oddie’s statement that ne is not the one who lodged the information against Wright, nor has he known until within the last two or three days what the man’s connection with the forgeries has been, The name of the man in full is D. D. Wright, and he sometimes goes by the alias of Stanley. {t appears that, years ago, Wright was a very expert bank note engraver in Albany, and was employed more or less in all the big note companies, He in this manner became very wealthy, and was accounted a man who wanted for nothing. The jact that Wright is an engraver of this merit bears out the story that he counterfeited the entire certificates, and not sim- ply the signatures. He is not Known in Wali street, though by this affair he will preb- ably be pretty well known hereafter, In answer to a question as to where Austin had pos- sibly fled, Mr. Oddie said he bad not the slightest idea; but he sincerely hoped he would pe caught with the money in iis possession. It begins to be thought that Austin has gone to Canada, though the detectives have probably a clew, as Wrigit and Austin undoubtedly knew each other's where- trial. MeDonald'’s right name is supposed to be abouts, and the ove captured may possivly now Livingstoue, and it is said he was engaged | “blow’ oy the one wiois at large. itis sin- in ap $80,000 case some three years ago oo to be hoped that the whole gang will be with =the firm of Jay Cooke & Co, | caught and the mysterious practices of the piot- He is apparently one pf the coolest, } ters brought to liguy SPRING FASHIONS. The Grand Opening Day in the Metropolis, The Modistes ard the Multitade of Sight- Seers at the Leading Houses. AMERICAN TASTE IN DRESS. The Newest Styles in Bon- nets and Hats. Opening Day in the fashion world, whether It re- fers to the Spring season or the Fail, is an exceed- ingly uncertain date—worse, even, than Septua- gesima or Corpus Christi in the Catholic calendar, There, indeed, limits are placed to the extension in date of these religious observances; but fashion claims an indulgence of time which renders it very dificult for a chronicler of styles to select a proper date for the general opening. Yesterday was chosen bya number of first class houses as a fit occasion for a grand display of Spring fastitons. The imclement weather had no effect upon the pardonable entliusiasm which the fair sex display at this season, When the fickle goddess holds her semi-annual levée, Broadway was thronged with carriages, and many a cloaked and well-mufied form passed througli the heavy folding doors that mark the entrance to our merchant palaces. On Sixth and Eighth avenues, those bustling thoreughfares, well stocked with hives of industry, there were less carriages and more people. It was as difficult toget near acounter in some of the west side stores as it was to obtain a good view of @grand marshal on St. Patrick’s Day. Then there Was the ceaseless hum of business in the Bowery, that remarkable locality, where a modiste, to quote her own words, “has a special display of fashions on every day in tne year.” Expressions of satis- faction and disappointment were equally apparent yesterday among the many iadies who went to see what was to be seen—dissappointment on account of the small number of real novelties and admira- tion for tne freshened appearance of old favorites, Quite a revolution has taken place in fashions within the last few years. There was a time when Paris ruled New York quite as much as Bordeaux or Marseilles, But nous avons changé tout cela, The fall of the Empire and the stormy interregnum which preceded the epoch of tranquillity and peace under President Thiers brought many an Ameri- can feminine mind to a sensible frame of reason- ing in regard to fashions, There were discussions and developments in respect to the exact meaning ot Parisian supremacy in fashions. Many pinned their faith to the idea that the worthy Eugénie was not only Empress of France, but was also the sole dictatress ef Parisian fashions. But when, thanks to this age of enlightenment and rapid communication, they discovered that in many in- stances the worst characters in the French capi- taland the least patronized milliners there made a business of supplying the American market in the all-important question of “what to wear and how to wear it,” the wrath of our belles brought around a better state of reasoning, and, of course, our own modtstes Were not long m discovering the change, Now we believe there is more real original- ity displayed in the leading houses of this city than there 18 1n man, on the other side of the Atlantic. AMERICAN TASTE IN CRESS. The absence this season of uncouth extrava- gances in styles and materials will be a convincing argument in favor of the progress made here in this respect within the last lew years. Adaptabil- ity and convenience have taken the place of what ouce was known as mere fashion. American ladies refuse to become frights because some nobody acress the water dictates it. One may waader through a large establishment nowadays and find no two dresses or bennets alike. Every shade of complexion, every figure and every peculiarity of appearance in a lady can be suited in the multitu- dinous array of styles and materials that are dis- Played this season, There exists no longer a rule und tape measure for the outward decoration of the daughters of Eve. Independence in fash- jon has come, better late than never, as @ successor to mdependence of thought. The importers feel this fact keenly and trim their salis accordingly. <A great deal of altering aud adapting is resorted to before imported styics are consigned tothe verdict of their customers. All honer te our ladies jor their spirit and inde- ndence in bringing around sucha state of things, ‘0 patertamilias can grumble now when his mouey is se judiciousiy laid out. TILTING BONNETS. The complete transformation in the style of coitture has demanded a similar change in the chapeaux, in order to meet the exigencies of the case; but yet this does not appear so much in the shapes as in the manner of wearing them. As the question lay between having them tilted over the eyes or enjoying a geod, open outlook, it has been decided in iavor of the latte: ponsequently we hall see the majority of the bonnets, as well as the hats, tilted on the back of the head, iu true sailor fashion, To most faces this is decidedly unbe- coming. » When a bonnet ts placed a little far back on the head it is not so bad, as the strings afford seme re- lief at the sides; but a hat thus worn has noting to redeem it. It is said that this manner of wear- ing the hat was introduced abroad by a beautiful woman, Wao Was content Lo ,00K a little less beau- tful herself, in order that those Who she was cer- tain would follow the style might look hideous, Let any lady whois tempted to sacrifice her inui- vidoa! tastes amd conditions*in this matter to o caprice of fashion just ponder # moment on the above statement, and then arrange her chapeau where it will be most becoming to her style of lace. setting aside the manner of wearing them, the chapeaux of the season are some of them very beautiful, Fanciful tmey may be, but harmony is essential in the toilet; and as long as we continue to use such an amount of trimming on costumes, fancilul bonnets and coiffures must be expected. Straw promises to be more fashionabie even than iast year, All our favorites are renewed, and & host Of ethers, accompanied by some ‘new varieties in the Way of iaucy and embroidered shawis. Soft ¢cru chip is a novelty, and will prob- ably be cheaper than the wi Colored straws will also be much worn—sage green, Various shades of olive, browa and gray. Straw trimmings are also yevived in many beautiful designs. Lace will be used to an alinost unbovuaded ex- tent. Long lace brides are revived, either to be vied under the chin or fastened lower down with a bow or small bouquet, as they were several seasons: ago. When a fashion is so generally becoming tt is a pity that it should ever be renounced. Ver: few iadies past taeir first youth can afford todo without strings of some kind, and lace ones have a wonderiully softening effect on the compiexion, A lace veil or some oth rimming is disposed at the back of all chapeaux, to shade the place where the chignon did ersiWhile abide, But THE CROWNING LOVELINESS of the bennets this season resis in the flowers. ‘They are slinply perfection, so natural in their ap- pearance and delicate in their hues that one almost expects to inhale a subtle periume while admiring them. Ali the gracetul, drooping flowers are ur- ranged in long, trailing sprays, while the more dig- nified varieties are massed in bandeaux or bou- quets. Flowers will be a fureur, and ne one cap gay hay to such loveliness, Mixed with some of the montures are leaves oi silvered bronze, which look nice On straws; others composed of larger and heavier flowers have ornaments of oxidided siiver mingled with the leaves. Handsome buckies and pins of the same material are much used in combination with silk and veivet, It is essential in both hats and bonnets that a narrow appearauce at the sides shall be main- tained. ost usually the trimming t# massed iu the back or the front, or it may be placed a little to the right or left ef either; but the effect must be narrow at the Sides, 80 48 to harmonize with the present style of arranging the dress. Hats and bounets are still so intimately con- nected as iD thany cases only to require a pair of strings to designate them, The Kabagas is stilla leading shape, the brim variously indented to suit the fancy, When in straw this requires very little trimming, but it is usually made in silk to match the costume, in which case the crown 1s a soft pul. The most distinct style of hat is a modification of the stately Rubens, with a high, receding crown, and the brim turned up on one In bonnets proper most of the 3 have rolled coronet fronts, and the crowns, while rather bigh, are placed more upright than formerly, so that, while worn rather far back on the head, they will not have the appearance of fatling off. Short capes also form a@ distinct feature, but are close to the nead, TUE ONE REAL NOVELTY is a new bonnet, with the brim shading the face. It 8 acounterpart of the bonnet wern at the com- mencement of Queen Victoria's reign, modified, of jarse—but only im size, not in shape—and is ally very becoming and coquettish in 3 fits quite’closely to the head in the bac down fat at the sides, and the front afferds room for the high colffure, while the crown secommo- dates the comb, It Is @ shape most suitabie for straw, and requires the trimming to be set up against the crown, This is a specialty of this city, and with itis exhibited one made in ‘fancy straw, trimmed in a most striking manner with straw- colored gros grain ribbon aud biack velvet, It is une nouveaute worth seeing, and is aptly named the “Vietoria.”” Sunilar in suape, but meditied in every respect, is @ aunty bonnet, of white chip, calied the “Crown Princess.” ‘This has a mere re- ceding and smailcr crown than the “Victoria,” “nd ws WuAMed With @ most lovely combination of ol the vaunted centres of fasnion | delicate blue and salmon color, with a of crushed tea-roses at the side. re te as striking, but entirely different in style, is the *Alsacienne,” which a sort of Rabagas but with a very high crown. It ts of Leghorn, bound with black velvet, the rest of the garniture consisting of black velvet combined ina most ar- tistic manner with eau du Nil royale silk, an Alsa<« tian bow, arran; im @ novel manner, on the front and a black lace vell falling in the back. The “Marquise” is of black chip, a very becoming shape, with a coronet front, the trimming consist- ing of Senant black thread lace arranged en cas. cade in the back, a large crushed crimson rose, with buds ana foliage, langudly resting on tha crown, half hiaden in black lace. The “Aurora” is A LOVELY HAT OF WHITE CHIP, trjmmed in a most graceful manner with a scarf ot Of rose-colored crépe de Chine, black velvet being spaighously intermingled and a rose tip resting lightly on the crown. A youthful face could hardly, desire a more charming setting. One would never tire of gazing at a little marvel of millinery, the “Vienna,” which 1s the perfection of color, the most audacious yet the loveliest com- bination being used in the garniture. The hat is of white chip, a sailor shape, with the brim caught up on the right side, and is trimmed with scaris of royale silk, ean du Nil and rose frais, disposed in & most artistic manner on the top of the crown, tha whole surmounted by a crushed yellow rose resting! on a few light-green leaves. The first expression is, “How liar !’? but @ moment after one ex- ae “How lovely !’’ and is sure to return to gaze at it again. In addition to millinery, some of onr houses alsa exhibit an endless variety of stylish designs for every garment required for ladies’ and children’s dress. The new redingote, the Jexandra,” ia pronounced the most distingué ent of the sca- son, and divides the honors with the ‘Neilson,’ intended for the Leseaped ape wien and the ‘“Wat- teau,”? which will be u: for more dressy goods. A new polonaise, the ‘‘Duchess,” is of the boufiunt order and is very becoming. The favorite in the sacque dolmans is the “Atherly,”? which has squara sleeves and a vest front. The ‘Eureka’ is of tha mantle shape, Decidedly the most convenient and stylish sult for @ miss 1s one known as the “Laura.” This has @ polonaise in the blouse style, and is specially ap- propriate for materials. For boys the ‘Everett’? suit is novel and becoming. THE COMING NOVELTIES, Hats and bonnets, as may be seen, lead the vafw in Spring fashions. We shall reier again to soma of the handsomest designs we have seen in thid important department. Dress materials and costumes are not yet placed upon exhibition at the leading houses, and novelties may be expected by, our fair readcrs, In ladies’ and gentlemen’s furs nishing goods many interesting features ara promised. Ctothiers who depend upon the sternes sex for custom and appreciation are already in the field with their new styles and materials. But Ol this more anon, ‘The coming week will bring forth developments in Spring fashions such as wil astonish even the most sanguine habitué of tha shrines of the fickle goddess, Thus opening day im the metropoiis has given us giimpses of a fairy Jand beyond, where the imagination of our fair readers may revel until we make further dix closures, HORSE NOTES, The Spring race mecting of the Chickasaw Jockey, Club will commence on Tuesday, April 29, and con-+ tinue flve days. Four of the five stakes, which wera announced to close on the 1st inst., have filled, the other, the Hurdle Handicap Sweepstakes, not hav« ing entries enough to make a race. The Trial Stakes, mile heats, for three-year-olds, has fiva nominations; the Miner Stakes, mile heats, for three-year-olds who have not appeared in publia prior to closing of the stakes, has eleven nomina« tions; the Robbing Stakes, two miles and repeat, for all ages, has seven entries, comprising Frank Hampton, High Constable, Emma Sansom, a gray gelding by Lightning, Frogtown, Alroy and Cape Race; the Chickasaw Stakes, two miles, for three year-olds, has also seven nominations. It is in contemplation by the club to oifer purses for both hurdie races and steeplechases. Ths style of racing is becoming popular in the South and South. west. The Eighth Avenue Rallroad Company will soon extend their tracks above 125th street, and then the trotting ground on “York Island”’ will be much circumscribed, “Over the Bridge” will soon be the only place to speed upon ier those who Care tor their horses’ feet and legs, The horsemen will have to accept the situation and make the best 0! it. But the questien arises, will speed be in ag great demand and command such prices as at present? The feet and legs of a fast trotcer cannot just long on such roads as Avenue St. Nicholas, Sixth and Seventh avenues, and fast horses must depreciate much in value when our wéalthy busi« ness men, who are the largest owners of such stock, have no dirt roads to speed their horses on on Manhattan Island. Prices asked for fine horses are very high thig Spring, and sales as yet have not been very nus merous. ‘The bay colt Prince of Wales, six years old, by Chevalier d’Industrie, out of ‘Tension, a hurdier, has been purchased im England for this country. The Prospect Park Association have opened @ novel trotting stake (or three-year-olds tor tha Fall of 1574, cailed the Excelsior Stakes, which is expected to be the most important and grand that has ever been trotted by three-year-olds, It will be seen that the association give the owners of all 1amous trotting stallions the opportunity to show someting more than words as & recommendation jor the great advantages for breeding trom their respective lorses—viz., with a subscription to the stake of $250, all of which is to be added for the youngsters to trot for, and none to be eligible ta the race save those who are the produce of such Stallions as are subscribed to the stake. It is esti- ted that at least twenty stallions will be rep. resented by one or more of tueir get, which will make # large stake for the winner, ‘The owners of stallions throughout the country, who are sincera in their recommendations of the merits of their respective horses, will do well to subscribe to this Stake, Which closes on the Ist of July fer colts aud on the 1st of September next for fillies. Mr. B. J. Treacy, of Lexington, Ky., sold on the 8th inst. four As?) highly bred trotting mares ta A. G. Ewing, of Nashville, Tenn. Charles Heinzel has a bay colt, by Messenger, Hambletonian, out of a Volunteer mare, whos dam was by Liberty, whois almost a fac-stmile o| W. HL Allen. ‘The colt is very fast, and only four years old. He hasevery requisite for great speed, Mr. Hannigan’s bay liorse George has been in tag country during the Winter. He will soon be put in training and be entered for all the Spring purses in which he will be eligible. Wiiliam Lovell purchased last week a fine bay horse, recently brought from Suffolk county, Loug island. horse is very fast now, and gives indis cations of being more so. Mr. Weaver has purchased the gray mare Belle of Toronto, by Toronto Chief, The mare has trotied in 2:40, The price paid was $4,000, When John Minchen heard that the owner of @ petittea, 14 colt had accepted the challenge to ti his colt he said, “It will be all right,” sowe may see an interesting race at an early day between two extraordinary youngsters, Mr. N. 8. Kenyon’s bay mare Bride of the Wind ig in fine OX this Spring and can trot very fast. Sue is a very pleasant roadster, Mr. Daniel Garrison las a number of fine horses at his country seat, Among them is hu Anna. Mr, Thomas P. Wallace's horses have all wintered well, Henry is looking very fine, and Triumph ig well liked by Join Doty, who is giving both horses pretiminary jogging on the road. Khode Hall, New Jersey. lebrated Patchen mare, Lady J. Townley has soid his old favorite Rocks to par- ties in New York for a road horse. ‘ Mr. James Reynolds has recently purchased a ne young sorrel mare, of the Wither Ke was raised in Maine and is considered very ys Milliman’s mare Lady Taylor, by Hamble- is one of the very few grays by the old She is a very pleasant driver and speedy tonia horse, on road or track, The Continental stables are weil represented om the road vy Mr. Horace Greeley, a 2 vare Lady Devlin, Mr. ‘8 sorrel gelding Sorrel Jake, Mr. Cowan's sori mare Lady Car- mon, Mr. Suydam’s George B. McClellan, Mr. hd- son's black gelding Dan, Mr, Butcher's bay mare Kawood’s fine brown gelding M». Deviin’s bay Kate, Mr. Uones’ black horse Black Prince, \ir. Nelson ho: Patchen, Jr., and Mr. Trimble’ 2340 team y Trimble and Alice Gray, William i, Borst will train Mr. Irving’s stable of trotters at Prosnect Park the coming season. Mr. Mark Littell paid R. W. Cameron $3,500 cash for the bay colt Reform, by Leamiagton, dam Stolen Kisses, The colt is remarkably well formed, nearly fiiteen and a half hands high, two years old and is one of the most attractive colts at Jerome Park. He is entered in the July and Hope(ul Stakea at Long Branch and the Flash stakes at Saratoga, Acouple of gentlemen engaged in a horse race in the streets of Maysville, Ky., the other day. The Mayor got the stakes, TROTTING AND PACING IN CALIFORNIA, AGRICULTURAL PARK, March 12, 1873,—Purse of $150; mile heats, three in five, in harness and rule. P. Farrell's Pacific 1 Colonel Dickey’s Etuan Allen J, Ainsworth’s Time, 2:47 '4— AGRICULTURAL PAwK, AT —2 494. 12, 1873.—Pacing 36 March race, single dash of two miles, for $150, Onward... Dick Gough Tim McCue NEWS FROM OURACOA. Curacoa, Feb. 24, 1873, At the demand of President Blanco, of Venezuelay the Dutch government of this island has give Notice to quit the soil to the following Venezuelean Generals :—Serrano, Galan and Carmero, The twa last named are considered the bravest of the opp sitionists, and Guzman Biance does not cou: Limgeli safe while they are so Dear to him, altho they are entirely wituout meaus and live on Buyer of fricuds,