Morris Herald – May 12, 1876

Excerpts from the Morris Herald for May 12, 1876.

CROOKED WAYS

The preliminary examination of R.B. Graves and James E. Rathburn, gaugers; William Rolley, storekeeper; Thomas McCabe, bookkeeper, and Charles Woodcock, and Thomas Gastlin, employee,– arrested for alleged crooked practices in manufacturing and putting upon the market large quantities of spirits, at the Aux Sable Distillery, near Morris, during 1874 –was begun Wednesday morning of last week before United States Commissioner Hoyne. Mr. Burke appeared for the government and Judge Hopkins for the defense.

The other parties named in the indictment as conspirators are; Charles H. Cronkhite, former owner of the distillery, who is luxuriating in her Majesty’s dominion; Peter Grant, who has also taken legbail; H. M. Conklin, who waived an examination, and left his case with the Grand Jury; and Charles Conklin, son of the latter who occupies a sick bed at his home in Morris.

John Gallagher and Wallace Shoop, former employees at the distillery; John McNellis, former owner of the distillery; and Alex Wilson, cooper, were examined, and sufficient testimony adduced to warrant the Commissioner in holding the parties, with the exception of Rathburn, who was discharged, over to the next term of the United States Court.

With the exception of Conklin the several parties were required to give bail in the sum of $5,000 each. Conklin’s bail was placed at $15,000. John Barr, of this city, went on the bail bond of Wm. Rolley, and that gentleman was allowed to come home. On Thursday, Thomas Goslin gave bond in the sum of $5,000 with Robert W. Robinson and William H. Donovan, as securities. Charles Woodcock and Thomas McCabe gave bonds in the sum of $1,000 each, with Stephen Keough, of Athens, Ill. As security in each case, and R. B. Graves, the gauger, gave his bond in the sum of $5,000, with Gilbert E. Ketchum, of Naperville, as security. Mr. Conklin has not yet given bond.

 

Typed and submitted by Kathleen Berner Groll.

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