In the case of E. M. Hewlett

Alexandria Gazette, July 12, 1886

In Trouble Again.––Felix Quander, a rather notorious colored character of Fairfax county, who some days ago swore out a warrant for E. M. Hewlett on a charge of stealing two cows, which it was shown were given Hewlett as a fee, went to Hillsdale near Washington on Saturday, and was returning towards the Navy Yard bridge with the two cows when Officer Anderson arrested him on complaint of Hewlett and locked him up at the station house charged with stealing the cows. 

Alexandria Gazette, July 13, 1886

Got His Cows.––Felix Quander, colored, of Fairfax county, was tried in the Washington police court yesterday, charged with stealing two cows belonging to E. M. Hewlett. The complainant stated that Quander gave him the cows for a fee. This Quander denied, saying that he never authorized any one to take the cows from his place. Judge Snell dismissed the case, and while Hewlett was endeavoring at the police court to see how he could lay hold of the animals, Quander drove the cows away. 

Alexandria Gazette, July 29, 1886

Requisition.––Yesterday a requisition was received in Washington from Gov. Lee, of Virginia, for the arrest of Emanuel M. Hewlett and Walter Plowden, who are charged with having stolen three cows and one colt, valued in all at $180, from Felix Quander. On May 23d last Hewlett, who is a colored lawyer, seized the cows and a colt belonging to the latter, who lives in Fairfax county below this city, claiming them as his fee for services to Quander. The latter brought charges against him in the Washington Police Court, a short time ago, but they were dismissed. Yesterday the requisition was presented by Sheriff S. E. Sangster, of Fairfax county, to Judge Merrick, who directed a warrant of arrest, and both the parties were soon afterwards taken into custody. The Judge after examining the requisition papers declined to accept bail from the prisoners, and they were turned over to Sheriff Sangster who at once started with them for Fairfax Court House.

National Republican, September 22, 1886

In the case of E. M. Hewlett, tried at Fairfax Court House, Va., last Monday, on the charge of the larceny of three cows from Felix Quander, the jury failed to agree and were discharged.

National Republican, October 19, 1886

Mr. Hewlett Exonerated.

The second trial of Mr. E. M. Hewlett, the attorney-at-law of this city, at Fairfax county, Va., which took place yesterday, resulted in the honorable acquittal of that gentleman, the jury being out scarcely five minutes. Mr. Hewlett was charged with . . . the larceny of three cows [belonging to Felix Quander], which the former had taken possession of under a certain agreement. Quander's wishing to recover the cattle and not caring to take chances of a law suit, sought to gain them by criminal prosecution. Mr. C. Maurice Smith appeared as counsel for the defendant, and it was clearly shown that it was a case of persecution, which the jury indorsed as true by the verdict they rendered.

Evening Star, October 1, 1888

Struggling for a Horse.

A Lawyer Who Tried to Enforce Collection of a Fee.

An amusing sight was witnessed in front of the Police Court Saturday afternoon by about fifteen hundred persons. Lawyer Hewlett, Frank Jones, Felix Quander and Quander's two sons were struggling for the possession of a horse. All the parties are colored. The Quander family was struggling against the other two. The animal in question formerly belonged to Quander, who is about seventy-five years old. He resides in Virginia, and the animal was taken from his place about two years ago by the lawyer and another colored man. The lawyer took the animal as a part of his fee as counsel for Quander, who was then in jail, and, as he claimed, by authority from Quander. When the old man was released from the Fairfax jail he disputed the lawyer's right to take the horse, and the case at that time attracted considerable attention, the courts sustaining the lawyer. Three cows were also taken with the horse, but the old man got them back shortly after his release from jail. Last week he learned that the horse was on the premises of Frank Jones, colored, and he swore out a warrant, on which the latter was arrested. Jones was acquitted by Judge Miller, and an order was made returning the animal to Jones. When Jones started from the court the Quanders made an attempt to take the horse from him. Lawyer Hewlett went to Jones' rescue, and the five men held to the animal. Someone struck the animal, and the five men were turned about in the street and on the side-walk for some minutes. The lawyer then got the horse out of the crowd, and ran along the side-walk for some distance. The Quanders soon overtook him and another struggle ensued. Policeman Slack and others arrested the Quanders and Hewlett, and charged them with disorderly conduct. When the party arrived in the court the old man put his hat down and said: "Gentlemen, just wait till I get a lawyer." The old man left to find a lawyer, but did not return. It is supposed that he went across the bridge and that the only lawyer he was looking for was in another jurisdiction. As he did not return his two sons and Lawyer Hewlett were tried for disorderly conduct, and were fined $5 each. The boys were released on their personal bonds to pay the fine this week, and the lawyer paid his $5.