New York Dispatch

"Sheeny Mike" Discharged from Custody.

"Hirsch" Harris, according to his story, is one of the best persecuted men that ever fell among thieves.

Last Tuesday afternoon an examination of the Kremantz burglars was held at the Newark Police Court, before Justice Mills. It will be remembered that Hirsch Harris, William O'Brien alias Porter, and Michael Koontz alias Sheeney Mike, were arrested in New York about three weeks ago by Newark detectives, upon a charge of breaking open and robbing a jewelry shop in Oliver street, Newark, and that the accused parties were taken to Newark jail upon a requisition from Governor Parker.

At the examination two of the fair daughters of Harris sat beside their father, and closely watched the proceedings. Porter, on being put upon the stand, swore that he met Harris at the Jersey City ferry, and after a little conversation with him, he was addressed by him as follows:

"PUT UP TO A BIG THING."

Say, Billy, I'll tell you something. I can put you into a thing, a good thing—it's a jewelry shop in Newark. I can put you into it on consideration that if it comes off, you will use your influence that I get it cheap.

Porter said that he came to Newark with Harris, and was shown the jewelry shop. The next day Harris came to the house where he was, in Twenty-sixth street, with three men with two black traveling bags; they went into a back room, and the man who kept the place said he could not leave the stuff there. Harris then asked Porter if they might take it to his house, No. 318 East Thirty-seventh street, to weigh. They took it there and weighed it. It consisted of jewelry, long chains, bracelets, ear rings, coral and cameo sets, etc. They came to the conclusion that it was worth from $2,400 to $2,600. It was put back in the bags, and in the evening Harris and one of the men took them out. Porter also said that he got a chain from his wife which she got from one of Harris' daughters. The young lady opened her eyes widely at this remark, and exclaimed indignantly that

"IT WAS A LIE."

These interesting young ladies appear to feel a deep sympathy for their parent; they visit him frequently, and during both days of the examination sat patiently beside him during the whole time.

His counsel is Mr. Wm. B. Guild, Jr. On the second day of the examination, Thomas Smith, a barkeeper, of No. 206 East Twenty-sixth street, testified that three men came into Baugh's saloon, where he was employed, with a valise. He said Harris was one of the men. They went into a back room, and laid out a quantity of chains, bracelets, etc., upon the table. There being no evidence against Sheeney Mike, he was subsequently discharged. While he was in jail his mother and sister visited him. They appeared like very respectable people, and were deeply grieved on account of Mike's reputed connection with thieves and burglars. It is believed that some of the principals in this robbery are still at large.

HARRIS' STORY.

A DISPATCH reporter visited the Newark jail a day or two ago, and was received by Warden Johnson with that gentleman's usual courtesy. At the request of the reporter, Col. Johnson politely conducted him to the cell in which Harris was confined. On being introduced by the Warden, Mr. Harris arose and cordially extended his hand. His manner of hand shaking is that of a warm-hearted man. He looks anything but the notorious "Fagin" or "fence," who is alleged to receive the swag from the "Artful Dodgers'" and "Charley Bateses" of New York. He is a little below the medium height, heavily built, has dark curly hair, regular features, and is good-looking. He has the appearance of a respectable, quiet broker.

PERFECTLY INNOCENT. OF COURSE

On the reporter asking him under what circumstances he came to be imprisoned, he clapped his hands upon his breast and exclaimed: "I knows nothings at all about it." He had neither coat nor vest on, "Just as you see me," the prisoner continued. "I vas going into my leetle tin shop and men comes along and give me de catch under de arms, und dey hoists me into de carriage, and I didn't know vere I vas goes till I finds myself here."

"A PUT UP JOB."

Reporter—Some of your friends say that this is a put up job on you, Mr. Harris.

"It isl it is!" said the prisoner, with an air of perfect innocence. "Dey tinks I has monish, and day wanto to get it out of me. I works hard and educates my daughters and dresses them nicely, and they thinks I am rich."

Reporter—What is your business?

"I has a little tin shop and works at my trade. Once I carried two trunks and sold tinware to the people at Union Hill."

On being asked his name, he replied, in excellent English, that it was Hermann Harris. He says that he lives at No. 383 Broome street, up stairs—has a wife and four daughters living with him. Is rather intimate with the doctor down stairs. He says that he has lived there for twenty-one years, and that his neighbors knew him to be

AN HONEST HARD WORKING MAN.

He had often met Sheeney Mike at a coffee house and both being Jews, they were tolerably well acquainted, but not intimate, and they had no business transaction such as were charged against him. Porter had been in his house once, several months ago. He believed he came there with a friend—had no transactions with him.

On being asked if he ever melted up any "stuff" in his little tin shop, he said he never did anything there but make tinware. He says he knows the man who "put up the job" on him—they wanted to get money from him, but he would lie in prison six years before he would pay a cent. While speaking of his wife and children he burst into tears, which affected the sympathetic reporter considerably.

A PERSECUTED MAN.

"Then you are an innocent and persecuted man, Mr. Harris," said the reporter, at the conclusion of the interview.

"Yes, yes, before God I am; it's all lies that they say about me—every word lies," said the prisoner, with another copious flow of tears. On taking leave of him, Harris again pressed the reporter's hand warmly, and repeated that it "was all lies."

Since he has been in jail, Harris has been kindly treated, and his quarters have been made as comfortable as circumstances will allow. He talks fluently, and having traveled in different lands in his earlier years, he related some thrilling and romantic incidents. He was once in South America, and speaks with great enthusiasm of the opportunities of making money in that country.

The daughters of Harris do not deny that he is a notorious "fence" and "Sheeney Mike" and Porter tell many amusing stories of his transactions.