The star and Newark advertiser. [volume], February 17, 1908, EVENING EDITION, Image 1

About The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909

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ESTABLISHED 1832. . NEWARK. N. J.. MONDAY. FEBRUARY 17, 1908. —14 PAGES. FAIR AND COLDER TONIGHT AND TUESDAY.
MORSE, DEFIANT,
DENIES CREDITORS’
CHARGES IN COURT
Ice Magnate Attributes His Indictments by State
and Federal Juries to Personal Malice of
His Financial Enemies.
SAYS HIS TRIP ABROAD HAD NO TAINT OF FRAUD
____•
Snapshot of Charles W. Morse and Mrs. Morse Just After fie
Was Admitted to $20,000 Bail.
/ ---■—
NEW YORK. Feb. 17—The nervous
shock that made Charles W. Morse
seem like a second Abe Hummel when
he was served with an arrest warrant
on the Etruria yesterday had entirely
disappeared when the multi-millionair;
was arraigned in court today. He war,
defiant when he responded to hts name
before Judge Dowling in the Criminal
Branch of the .Supreme Court. He said
that the charges of grand larceny under
which he lias been indicted on two
counts were the work ol enemies, and
that he would fight these to the end
The financier looked older than be
fore fie set sail for Europe two weeks
ago. There were new streaks of gray
In his hair and finds about bis face
that showed worry and loss of sleep.
Tet In nuumcr he was the same fight
ing Morse who before the. October panic
kept Wall street excited by bis stu
pendous deals.
Morse came from ills borne, 728 Fifth
avenue, under *20,000 bail, to plead to
the larceny charges just about as he
used to go to his ofiiee. Except for the
extra- gray in bis hair and the new
lines in his face, he was the same
Morse--full of fight, full of vigor and
Ideas.
Speaking of the two indictments
found agpinst him in the State courts,
Morse said:
"Well, if that's the worst they’ve got
against me. I'm not worried.”
Morse w'us informed last night that
an attachment for *200,COJ had been i
filed against him in Lawrence, Mars., '
lr: u breach of contract action by John
C. Reed a.nd Louis Fuehelu, of New
Jersey. Mr. Morse said:
"I do not know either of the men
mentioned in the dispatch, and 1 have
no interests whatever in Lawrence,
Mass., and never did have. 1 think
there must be some mistake, and that
tfils suit Is against some other person
than myself.”
Refreshed by a good night’s sleep,
Mr. Morse had recovered from the
iii the offices of his counsel, A. B.
Boardman and Frank Platt. He was
immaculately dressed. His eyes were
bright and ho spoke with the sharp
accent ni u man accustomed to conn
maud and who does not expect soon
to lose that command.
“I am innocent,” he declared. “Inno
cent of any Criminal Intent, and it will
be impossible to1 show that I did any
thing that should ‘Ubject me to the
treatment that was accorded me by the
city and the Federal Government dur
ing rny absence.
“I did not fiy. I was no fugitive. I
went away for a rest. If the case that
Is based on the use of the notes of
Judge O'Brien is all they have against
me J have no reason to fear.
'•I had straightened out my financial
affairs when I left New Fork, so that
there were no actions pending against
me, except one brought by a creditor
to whom I had given valuable collat
eral security, and I was informed by
my counsel , hut he had arranged with
this creditor not to press his suit. As
I had no obligations maturing for
three weeks from which I anticipated
any trouble, I saw no reason front the
standpoint- of my obligations to credi
tors why I should not take a fort
night's rest.
“I had no knowledge that District
Attorney Jerome contemplated taking
any proceedings.’
In a statement published before his
arraignment Mr. Morse said that the
personal malice of hie enemies was be
hind the Indictments that had bear,
found against him.
Morse pleaded not guilty and asked
for a postponement of two weeks, wiih
permission to change bis plea If dej
sired. The court fixed the hearing for
next Monday.
BURGLARS LOOT UNION ST. HOME.
Leonard Herrick, of 107 Union street
has reported to the police that his
house was entered and robbed Satur
day. A gold ring, a silver watch, and
a iady’s gold watch, with the Initials
K. 1’. E., were taken.
—___________
Divorce Suit Plaintiff Also Indig*
nantly Denies Throwing
Old Shoes at Him.
“WESLEY J. DUNN BOUGHT
BOTH RAIMENT AND DRINK”
Mrs. Dunn Says So—Besides,
There's Another Woman
in thf Case.
Mrs. Olive Blanch Dunn, who issuing
Wesley J. Dunn for divorce, todoy de
nied to an EVENING STAR reporter,
denied charges contained in her hus
band’s answer to the effect that she
hud monopolized his earnings. Shq de
clared she did not refuse to give him
money t > buy collars and gt shavd,
and Indignantly dnled thru statement
that she had thrown a irair of her
father's old shoes at him when he came
to her for money to buy a new pair.
Mrs. Dunn started suit for divorce
some time ago In her bill she charged
non-*upport, cruelty and adultery. The
hearing on the last charge came up this
morning before Vice-Chancellor Emery.
With her mother, Mrs. Henry F.
Blckcl. she entered the court room,
wearing a large picture hat trimmed
with violets. Mrs. Dunn is 23, striking
ly pretty and vivacious. She looked In
tently at her husband while he was on
the witness stand, hut ho avulded her
gaze. The morning was taken up In
the testimony of P. B. Hodge, a Plain
field druggist, v\ho had fill'd the pre
scriptions for the defndant In 1906.
To a reporter of THE EVENING
STAR, Mrs, Dunn hud this to say:
"We were married in August. 1902.
I was IS then, ami wo lived for a
while WJtn my parents ut 63 Wester
ville avenue, Plainfield. In 1904 my
TS.'Sban'd iod lim'd a disagreement one
night, and he left home. I didn’t see
him for ten BWInths after that."
"His answer declares you refused to
give him money for clothes.”
“My! He had all the clothes he
wanted. I never refused to give him
money. And as to getting shawed, he
always got shaved In a barber shop. I
notice be says he hasn’t spent a dollar
drinks and cigars since ho married me.
I wish I had all that he spent that
way.
"no, i never tnrew any ora snoes ai
him, cither, like he says. He always
bought his own clothes, ami never
asked me about It. lint wc had several
scraps, and I left him.
■'Since then I have lived with my
mother. Mrs. nickel, at 571 West l$2d
street. Now York."
Mrs. Dunn asks for counsel fees and
alimony. She is represented by W. L.
Anglemun. a Plainfield lawyer. Dunn
| la represented by Assemblyman S. S.
i Swaackhamer, also of Plainfield. The
hearing will be continued this after
noon.
HITCHCOCK GIVES
I UP P. 0. PLACE TO
AID TAFT BOOM
Meyer s First Assistant Con*
gratulated by President for
His Past Work.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—Frank H.
Hitchcock today presenteef to the Presi
dent Ills letter of resignation as first
assistant postmaster - general. The
President accepted the resignation and
made a felicitous response In which he
referred to Mr. Hitchcock's services in
the Postolilce Department.
Mr. Hitchcock expects to enter Im
mediately upon his duties as manager
of the presidential campaign of Sucre
4 lfni'4 IlfflccO tirlttnll Of.-, * »» 1
used as headquarters, have* been en
gaged In the Union Trust Company's
building in this city, und in a day or
two Mr. Hitchcock expects to have a
force of clerks at work. It is possible
that offices may be established also In
New York city, but that lias not been
determined definitely yet.
PAPA SHOWS DIDN’T GIVE
UP A CENT TO THE DUKE.
NEW YORK, Feb. 17,—Not a cent
was given to the Due de Chaulnes by
the father of the nobleman’s bride, who
was Miss Theodora Shonts, according
to a story published today. This re
port says that $00,000 was all the mill
ionaire settled upon his daughter at the
time of the marriage. The tilled hus
band of this American girl is wealthy
In his own right.
BATHING IN WINTER AT SHORE.
ATLANTIC CITY, Feb. 17.-The
Boardwalk throng turned out in full
glory yesterday. A rise In the tempera
ture made wraps superfluous, and some
of the women wore new spring cloth
gowns. The day was ideal until a chilly
breeze sprang up In the afternoon.
Several daring bathers took a plunge
JOHN F. RANDOLPH, TREASURER
OF ALL THE EDISON COMPANIES,
PUTS END TO LIFE BY SHOOTING
I WEST OkANQE MAN WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE TODAY. |
SHOES OF A BOY
WEDGED TO RAILS
Paterson Brewer Helps Father
Rescue Young Williams
from Brie Train.
[Special to the Evening Star.]
PATERSON, Feb. 17.—With train
bearing down on him and hundreds of
excited passengers standing on the
platform of the Market street depot,
former Senator Robert H. Williams, of
this city, and Senator John Hlnchliffo
knelt on the frozen tracks and un
laced both shoes from the ex-Senator's
12-ycar-old son Harry.
With the shoes unlaced young Will
iams pulled to one side, while his
father and Senutor Hinclillffe wrested
the shoes from their wedging point be
tween the car rails and the wooden
guard. Had the boy been alone there
is no doubt but that lie would have
been mangled under tile wheels of the
Erie train due in Paterson at 8:14,
bound for New York.
Attend* IVcwiirk School.
Young Williams attends the Newark
Academy, and is e regular traveler on
the 8:14 train. This morning young
Harry was accompanied to the train
by his father.
The latter entered the station to talk
with Senator Hinclillffe, while young
Williams and his companions romped
on the outside. While running across |
the tracks the boy’s left foot slipped i
between the rail and wooden guard j
and he fell. Raising himself, he found |
his foot wedged in tightly, and using :
that member became fastened, too.
The boy’s companions saw their
chum's predicament only from the
funny side. The rumbling noise of the
approaching train was a signal for the
former Senator to h ave the depot and
look for his son.
Both Senator Hinehliffe and Mr.
Williams rushed to the lad’s side and
began tugging away ul the laces in
his shoes.
The engineer saw the men working
and tooted hie whistle, but both Sen
ators paid no heed, ami till the time
young Hai ry stood smiling, while his I
companions crouched near the depot In
tear.
With the shoes loosened the boy
stepped out of them, and all danger
had passed.
TREE CAUSES ICE JAM,
FLOODING ENTIRE TOWN.
ROCHESTER, N. Y., Feb. 17.—High
water continued in the Genesee River
here, but while the river is at Its "great
est height Jn years, freedom from float
ing ice will stop danger of a flood.
At Genesco, however, a largo tree
jammed against the Genesee River
bridge, caused a oaqk-up of water and
a flood has followed.
1__1_»oS. tvid
TM guilty; sobs
T
WON’T ACCEPT PLEA
Taken Before Judge for Destroy*
ing Another's Utter, Mrs.
Maloney Breaks Down.
[Special to the Eveuitig star.}
TRENTON, Feb. 17.—When Mrs, Ann
Maloney, of Newark, was called upon
to enter her plea to an Indictment
found against her by the last Grand
Jury on a charge of destroying a letter
which did not belong to her, Mrs. Ma
loney entered a plea of guilty, apd then
attempted to explain to Judg^ Cross
how the letter canto to be destroyed.
Her explanation was broken very fre
quently with sobs and weeping.
The woman was completely broken
down, and at times her condition was
pitiful. Mrs. Maloney said the letter
was delivered to her, after which she
opened it through mistake, after
which time one of her children de
stroyed the letter by throwing it In the
stove without her knowledge.
Judge: Cross refused to accept her
plea of guilty, and ordered that, she
plead not guilty. When the plea of not
guilty was recorded Judge Cross or
dered that the woman be released on
ner own rccugriisu.m.'e* u is iiKCiy mat
the Indictment will be nolle pressed at i
an early date.
—
BEFORE JEROME
Voorhees, with Combes, Latter
Bankers’ Life Secretary,
(jive Security.
Former Governor Foster M. Voor
hees and Frank G. Combes, foriner
president and secretary of the Bunkers'
Life Insurance Company, today sur
rendered themselves to District At
torney Jerome in N#w York on the
indictment for perjury found against
each in connection with their conduct
of tho company's affairs.
Justice Dowltns in the criminal
branch of the Supreme Court fixed bail
in each case at $2,500. Surety was
furnished by tho Fidelity and Deposit
Company of Maryland, a representa
tive ot which accompanied both men
to court. They will plead to the indict
ment on Holiday next.
Wealthy West Orange Resident Takes Double
Barreled Gun to Goal Bin and With Poker
Pulls the Trigger-Found by Wife.
“I NEVER DID ANYTHING CROOKED,” HE WROTE,
INSANITY BLAMED FOR SHOCKING TRAGEDY
JOHN F. RANDOLPH, treasurer of the Edison companies, a man of mod
erate wealth and a close business and personal associate of Thomas A.
Edison for many years, today sho^ and instantly killed himself in tho
cellar of his home at 73 Valley way West Orange. Inherited Insanity I3
given as the probable cause of his suicide by Mr. Edison.
A number of letters, among which was one directed to his wife, and which
was written last night, indicate that R .ndolph's act was premeditated. In tho
letter to his wife, which was examined by Deputy County Physician 8. A. |
Muta, was the following remarkable declaration:
‘T never did anything in my life that was crooked. I have always been
honest. Any property that ] leave b<longs absolutely to you and to our chil
dren.”
Randolph planned his deatli with a grim determination that brooked no
possibility of a lluke. He personally answered the door-bell ring of Patrice
Brody, a chauffeur of one of the Edison automobiles, who called for the
treasurer at S o'clock this looming at his residence.
___
SCORE FLEE FROM
BEOS 10 STREET
US HOMES TALL
Heavy Timbers Keep Tons of
Material from Crushing
Man to Death.
BIG BUILDINGS’ FAtL
DUE TO RECENT FLOODj
Other Structures Tottering and!
Pittsburg’s Inspectors Are ;
Rushing investigations.
i
PITTSBURG. Pa.. Feb. IT—With a
gront roar two brick dwelling houses
located at 22 and 24 Penn avenue, in
the district inundated by the Hood
waters, collapsed early today and fell
into the street.
A score of occupants, warned by tiie
cracking walls, barely had time to
reach the street before tons of brick
and plaster tumbled into the streets.
F. C. Anderson was cut and bruised
by flying debris und a score of other
persons narrowly escaped being
crushed to death. AH but Anderson
rushed to the street in their night
clothes just a moment before one of
the buildings fell in a heap.
Hear ('nils. Hunt Man.
For some time great excitement pre
vailed as it was reported many per
sons had been buried under the debris.
Anderson's voice could be heard calling
for h'-Ip and frantic efforts were mado
to release him.
The police and firemen found the
man was wedged between heavy tim
bers in the basement, and over him
were tons of brick and plaster braced
in such a manner, however, that ho
was entombed, but not seriously In
jured. After several hours’ work he
was released and sent to a hospital.
The escape of the other occupants
was miraculous. The loud crackling of
the walls a few minutes before the
houses collapsed served as a warning
and saved all from being crushed.
Other Buildings Slinky.
Other buildings in the vicinity are in
a like condition, and building Inspec
tors are makrig a thorough investiga
tion of the places.
Suffering among the flood victims is
intense today, owing to the cold
weather, and all charitable orgnniza- I
tions are engaged In alleviating the
misery.
Reports are being received showing
the damage to be widespread and
heavy.
On the norlh side patrolmen in skiffs
are distributing coal and food to im
prisoned families. For this purpose
4.000 loaves of bread and 1,000 pounds
of bologna were secured last night.
In the manufacturing district a gen
eral cleaning up is In progress, and
by nightfall ull evidence of the flood
is expected to be obliterated and busi
ness resumed.
Great amounts of goods have been
destroyed by water in the basements
of business houses.
GLOBE B. AND L. A. HAS $46,001.96.
The report of tire treasurer of the
Globe Building and Loan Association
sliows assets, $49,001.96; average earn
nings. 9 2-3 per cent. The election of
officers will lie held Thursday night at
Gross's Hull, 153 Springfield uvenue.
I’Wilmf!*&?'• •‘ft
"Just wait, please." Mr. Randolph
Mild to the chauffeur. “I will be with
you In five minutes.”
Then he closed the door, went Into
his smoking den, secured a double- j
barreled shotgun, which h*' haw often
lifted ns 11 f.ioniVer of the Mountainside i
* Club, and walked dow n to u. i
cellar.
There he took a poker from nep-T'tSie -3
| furnace and ordered a < oal bin. Flat.
inn the barrel ends over hie heart and
using the poker to explode the gujr, he
discharged both barrels. There was a
tremendous report and Mrs. Randolph,
his 5-year-old daughter L'oia, and sev
eral servants rushed into the collar.
Dr. Randolph was found lying in the
coal bin, weltering in Ilia own blood.
Death had been instantaneous. Mrs.
Randolph fainted and it was neces
sary to call a physician to restore her
to consciousness.
Deputy Couniy Physician Muta and I
Dr. William M. llrien were at once ap
prised of the tragedy and rushed to the
house. The former at once pronounced
Mr. Randolph dead and gave Ills opin
ion that it was a cage of sniede.
Thomas A. Edison, when told of the , 5s
tragedy, was deeply affected, lie made
the following statement to an EVEN
IN'ft STAR reporter:
"John K Randolph was one of ipy
best friends, and one with who I have
been identified over wince tho Menlo
Park days. He started work with m<‘
as an office boy, and through his
ability worked his way Into the treas
urership of all the Edison companies.
"His accounts arc, in absolutely sound
condition and lie has always manipu
lated the finances of our companies In
a thoroughly business-like manner. He • j
was one of the men I most highly
prised, both for his business ability and
personal qualities.
"I am convinced that his mad act
was due to inherited insanity. His
brother died several months ago in tho
State Asylum for the Insane at Tren
ton. where, he was an inmate. 1 can
recall that on one occasion Mr. Ran
dolph absented himself for two weeks
from his business, with no explanation.
Investigation revealed the tact that
there was a taint of insanity in Ills
family."
The brother referred to by Mr. Edi
son was Uoorge F. Randolph, of Me
tuehen, who died at the Htate Hos
pital for the Insane, at Trenton, on
July 26, last year, of typhoid fever. He
was committed for the first time to the
asylum on January B, 1905. and was re
leased and recommitted three or four 1
times later, suffering from recurrent
attacks of insanity.
At the time of the suicide, Vivian,
the 13-year-old daughter of Mr. Ran
dolph, had started for the IVest Orange
High School. A servant was sent after
her and she was brought back to the
home, where her father lay dead.
Mr. Randolph was treasurer of the
Edison Phonograph Company, the Na
tional Phonograph Company, Edlron
Manufacturing Company, Edison Stor
age Battery Company and the Edison .1
Portland Cemnt Company. He had
been thirty years In Edison's employ, jj
and was one of the ten oldest men in
point of service in the employ of the
wizard of electricity.
Besides acting as treasurer to the
Edison companies, Mr. Randolph was
also private secretary to Mrs. Thomas
A. Edison. One of the letters he wrote
last nig',it was addressed to Mrs. Edi
son. Among the other Otters were sev
eral addressed to the heads of depart
ments of the various Edison companies
None of those who received these let
ters cared to discuss their content* to
lay.
Mr. Randolph was fifteen years old
when he started work for Edison. Hi
was forty-five years old ut the time of
his death.
Denials were officially made today .
rrom the Edison offices that the suicide
was caused as a result of overwork.
It was stated that Sir. Randolph had
avery possible assistance in his duties.