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SHABF PBACTICE.And Moat Outrageous if True.Some dayB since the News had an allusion to the exceedingly sharp practice of an attorney by the name of Mattler. Since then we have ascertained what are alleged to be additional facts which we place before the readers of the People:About two years ago a colored man by the namS^f Benjamin Jefferson was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery of a house in the northern portion of fchu city. While he was yet in the station house Mattle^called to see him and subsequently vistelt;frbim in the jail. One day be made his appearance with a paper which he told Jefferson he wanted him to sign, that it was a bon# and if be signed it he would soon be at liberty... Jefferson, who could not read, thinking that it was all right and the lawyer was doing all he could for him, signed the paper with “his mark.’’ He saw no more of Mr. Mattler, but five days thereafter the grand jury failing to find a bill aginst him he was discharged. /Jefferson has a wife, a hard working woman, who, by washing around in different familes, had accumulated enough money to purchase a home in the neighborhood of the City Hospital. It cost, we believe $1,200. It seems that the paper signed by Jefferson was something in the nature of a quit claim to this property for services rendered by Mattler, which services were fixed at the handsome sum of $500. The paper was so carefully drawn and duly witnessed, that Judge, the other day, wtiose sympathies are said to be all for the poor colored man had to decide against him and the probabilities a*re that Mattler will get possession of the house of Jefferson and he and his wife will be turned out of it in their old age. They are still in possession, but it is expected ttyat a writ of ejectment will soon be issued against them.Jefferson says that he never for a moment thought he was signing away his property, that Mattler represented to him that the paper was simply a bond which by signing he would be enabled to obtain his release, and that so far as he knows Mattler never did an hour’s work in his behalf. He was arrested solely uptfn suspicion and never had a trial.This seems to us to be a peculiarly hard case, and it Mr. Mattler has been engaged in this kind of sharp practice his brother lawyers owe it to themselves to have him disbarred from all further practice. We should think that if the facts are as they have been related to us, and which we have given above, that a charge of obtaining money or property under false pretenses might be successfully preferred against this attorney. Those in whose employ Jefferson now is represent him as being every way trustworthy, and his wife as a very reliable and hard working ^jnman.. ........Q]wschoCoExpThstealThcuriiAt cure It n«Th land thee It the j wasT1 the ] Apr Tl itedIjOOBiandsuclclayTinarrliceioneiApaviAncpletWtwowitlwonAaveimerIndTllifctlA Mc( Fric of t It ufae han“jproi for lt;menAfourthelimt.
Newspaper Details
Indianapolis People
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Sun, Mar 09, 1873
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Sherri H.
USA 20 Jan 2017
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