Captain Mann

Captain Daniel P. Mann makes an entrance as an aside in “Used Up:”

“Mann? — Captain Mann?” here screamed some little feminine interloper from the farthest corner of the room. “Are you talking about Captain Mann and the duel? — oh, I must hear — do tell — go on, Mrs. O’Trump! — do now go on!” And go on Mrs. O’Trump did — all about a certain Captain Mann who was either shot or hung, or should have been both shot and hung. Yes! Mrs. O’Trump, she went on, and I — I went off.

Why should Capt. Mann have been shot or hung? What is the duel?

April 26, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Cork legs were an object of amusement in Mr. Hadaway’s comic piece. Yes, that is Billy Burton performing “The Cork Leg,” scheduled for April 29, 1839. Is a false leg a comedy or a farce?

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June 10, 1839, The National Gazette. (Philadelphia)

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Transcription

Distrlct Court — In Bank, June 7, 1839.

Charles Jones vs. Daniel Mann. — Action on a promissory note drawn by T. W. Dyott, and endorsed by tbe defendant, Daniel Mann, for 1,550 dollars, duly protested, and held by the plaintiff.

The defendant, Daniel Mann, filed his affidavit of defence, resisting the claim of the plaintiff, on the ground that the consideration of the note was for unlawful Manual Labor Bank Notes, held by the plaintiff, and redeemed by Dr. Dyott, by means of this endorsed note — and that as the law discountenanced the Bank and its notes, there was no consideration for the note in question, and it could not be enforced against tbe defendant, as endorser. The plaintiff’s attorney, Mr. Brewster, moved for a judgment, notwithstanding the affidavit, which was argued by Mr. Philips, for defendant.

The Court, Mr. Petitt, President, considered the affidavit of the defendant to be insufficient, and ordered judgment to be entered for the amount of the note. The Judges said that the question was well settled, and without doubt.

Judgment for Plaintiff.

June 11, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

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Note the advertisement near the bottom of the column:

CORK LEGS, HANDS, ARMS, &c. — JOHN F. THOMAS, No. 79 RACE Street, (below Third,)

Philadelphia, informs the afflicted and the public in general, that he continues to manufacture

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS,

on a plan the most correct and least complicated. Having through necessity invented, made and worn an Artificial Leg for 25 years, and been a manufacturer in New York for 20 years, he feels confident of giving satisfaction to all who call on him for LEGS, ARMS, HANDS, or the COMMON WOODEN LEG. All letters for advice must be post paid.

Varner, 1933 replicates this advertisement (from the April 17, 1839 edition, with slight edits) in type; referenced by Mabbott.

Do you hear the echo of a certain diddler’s false address (1831 or 1843?):

BOGGS, HOGGS, LOGS, FROGS & CO:

No 110 Dog Street.

Transcription

Charles Jones, vs. Daniel Mann — District Court, in Bank, June 7, 1839. — Action on a promissory note drawn by T. W.Dyott, and endorsed by the defendant. Daniel Mann, for $1,550, duly protested, and held by the plaintiff.

The defendant, Daniel Mann, filed his affidavit of defence, resisting the claim of the plaintiff, on the ground that the consideration of the note was for unlawful Manual Labor Hank notes, held by the plaintiff, and redeemed by Dr. Dyott, by means of this endorsed note — and that, as the law discountenanced the Hank and its notes, there was no consideration for the note in questiou, and it could not be enforced against the defendant, as endorser. The plaintiff’s attorney, Mr. Brewster, moved for a judgment, notwithstanding the affidavit,, which was argued by Mr. Phillips, for defendant.

The Court, Mr. Pettit, President, considered the affidavit of the defendant to be insufficient, and allowed judgment to be entered for the amount of the note. The Judge said that the question was well settled and without doubt.

Judgment for Plaintiff — United States Gazette.

June 14, 1839, The National Gazette. (Philadelphia)

Page 1, Col. 4:

Transcription

On Thursday morning, process was issued against T. W. Dyott, Jacob Ridgeway, Daniel Mann, T. W. Dyott, Jr., J. B. Dyott and C. W. Dyott, charged with a conspiracy to maintain and support an unlawful banking device, called the Manual Labor Bank.

June 14, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Page 2, Col. 2:

Transcription

See column 2:

AS IT SHOULD BE. — Processs [sic] was issued yesterday morning against T. W. Dyott, Jacob Ridgway, Daniel Mann, T. W [sic] Dyott, Jr., J. B. Dyott and C. W. Dyott. They stand charged with a conspiracy to maintain and support an unlawful Banking device, called the Manual Labor Bank, falsely representing the capital of $500,000, and cheating and defrauding the community. ...

June 17, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Page 1, column 3:

June 19, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Coverage continues at column 5:

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June 19, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Trial coverage continues at column 1 of page 2:

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June 25, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

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June 21, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

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July 1, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

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July 3, 1839, The National Gazette. (Philadelphia)

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Transcription

DYOTT’S MANUAL LABOR BANK.

The Mayor’s Decision.

Jacob Ridgway, Daniel Mann, and Thomas W. Dyott, Jr, appeared this morning before the Mayor, at 11 o’clock, when his honor delivered in substance the following opinion relative to certain charges preferred against them. We commend it to attention as a proper and dispassionate view of the position in which the defendants arc placed, without any testimony having been heard in their favor.

This is a case of conspiracy, in which certain individuals arc charged with colluding together to «lo an unlawful act.

It is one of deep interest to the parties concerned, and highly important to the community.

I need not here remind the parties taut this is only an examination by the Mayor, in order to decide if there be probable cause lor a judicial investigation; but it may he proper to suggest to others, who have beard so much testimony given here and spread before the public, that this is an ex parte examination, in which all the testimony is heard against the defendants, and none in their favor; and although it may be the duty of a magistrate to bind over, a judicial tribunal may entirely acquit. It is unjust, then, to form an opinion unfavorable to these parties, some of whom have for many years been among he most respectable of our community.

From the partial nature of our examination it must fall heavily on the defendants. Let us then forbear hastily to condemn anyone. The duty of the magistrate is to hear the testimony, and if he is satisfied there is cause to bind over, he must do so. After carefully considering the testimony in the case, I am of opinion that there is cause to bind over the defendants.

I therefore direct that Thomas W. Dyott and Jacob Ridgway, and Thomas W. Dyott and Daniel Mann, be bound over to the next Court of Criminal Session on a charge of conspiracy to defraud. Jacob Ridgway and Darrel Mann in the sum of $5100 each; T. W. Dyott is already in custody; J. U. and C. W. Dyott have not appeared before me. There does not appear to be any testimony to authorize the binding over of Thomas YV. Dyott, Jr , and he is discharged.

Much has been said during the examination relative to Stephen Simpson, a witness for the prosecution, and of his connection with T. W. Dyott. 1 have not been able to remove the impression from my mind, that he has been an active agent in the transactions of the Manual Labor Bank from its very commencement. 1 therefore hold Stephen Simpson to bail in the amount of 1000 dollars to the next Court of Criminal Sessions, on a charge of conspiracy with Dr. Dyott.

Daniel Munn (and Stephen Simpson gave bail; Jacob Ridgway refused to give bail and surrendered ^himself into the custody of the high constable, and applied to the Court of Common Fleas for a writ of Habeas Corpus, which was granted. The writ was made returnable on Wednesday next, and in the mean time Judge Randall held Mr. Ridgway to bail, in the required sum of 5000 dollars for his appearance. By this proceeding his whole case will have to undergo another examination, the object in view being the final discharge of the defendant, as his counsel assume that sufficient cause has not been shown authorising his being bound over on the charge alleged against him.

July 4, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

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July 10, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

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August 3, 1839, The National Gazette. (Philadelphia)

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October 14, 1839, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Thomas, the cork leg man, is “outed” for attempting to pass a fraudulent note.

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Transcription

TAKE NOTICE — Having been informed that there is a Note in circulation, or which might be in circulation, dated Sept. 3, 1839, at 7 months after date, for Two Hundred and Seventy-five Dollars, in favor of John P. Thomas, Cork Leg Manufacturer, now of the city of Philadelphia, I hereby notify that the said note was fraudulently obtained from the undersigned, and such can and will be proved by respectable witnesses, and will not be honored by me.

WM. WILLIAMS.

May 14, 1841, Public Ledger. (Philadelphia)

Dyott meets his end after his second {!} arrest.

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Thomas W. Dyott