The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-20
THE ALEXANDER MYSTERY.
MRS BURKE MAKING A STRONG
FIGHT FOR HER 100000.

Tangible Proof that the Captain had Large
sums Of Money when he Boardcd with the
GARDENERS In Harlem-Who Relieved him
Of his Money Bag on his Death Bed.
The investigation in the matter Of the property
owned by the late Capt. Alexander, OF New Or.
leans, was resumed yesterday before Surrogate
Hutchings. The proceedings were instituted on the
complaint ofa mrs Burke, daughter Of the deceased
who alleges that her father died possessed Of con-
siderable amount OF property, consisting Of bonds
and ready money, which she believes 10 have been
made away with by persons named Gardiner, with
whom the deceased bvarded for some time, and In
whose house no died. II has been already proved In
evidence that the deceased in the habit OF keep
ing his money on his person, and that II was taken
Oh the body afIer death by the Gardincrs. They
however, claim that the amount very small, and
that II had been given TO them as present by the
old man very short time previous 10 his DEATH
The following testimony was taken yesterday:
Mr.. William T. Dewey testified that he knew Capt
Alexander, and went 10 see him on the 18Th OF
March, 1892 and then urged him 10 put bis bonds In
some place OF security On the 18th Of January
about ten days before his death, he saw Capt Alex
ander's bonds, counted them, and took memoran-
dun OF s27, $50, contained in = bag. There was
another bag, but he did not examine Its contents
He had often written letters for the Captain to his
daughter, always couched In affeetionate terms.
Capt. Alexander was a very careful man, and had
carried his bonds about him for some time.
MIR. James II. Winchester, shipbroker and commits
sion merchant. OF ii South street, testified that
Capt Alexander called at his once once week. In
December. 1853 Mr.. Leeds (Mr. winchester's part
ner) counted Capt Alexander's bonds in lis pres
ence, and they amounted TO $500 Capt Alexander
was rather eccentric, and on being urged TO put his
bonds in some Safe Deposit vault, said nobody
Swain once called on witness, and asked him what
he knew about Capt. Ale1ander's estate. and why
Lecds had been making trouble about II, as he and
Mrs. Gardiner were the rxhtul heirs.
Mr.. Leeds corroborated the testimony Of the last
witness. and added that he had counted Capt. Alex
ander's bonds for him. and thought lie was worth
about $4,000. In December 1868, he bad ti5 900
see Mrs. Gardiner, and when he remarked that the
Captain had about 100000 she feigned surprise He
>lhcn proposed putting the Captains money In some
Trust Company, but she said that Capt. Alexander
keep II until some one came who had better
right than she had. During the conversation
she said that shortly before the death OF Capt Alex
ander he in distress, and moved his hand across
| his breast, and that Mrs. Graf cut money bag
| from OF his neck and removed 1t he then fell
back and looked at them, while heavenly smile III
up his countenance though he was fully satisfied
that the Dag had gone where he wished witness
called again with Mr.. Peckham the special collector
appointed by the Surrogate, and saw Mr.. Gardiner,
but he said that Mrs. CardiLer knew more about the
| matter than he did.
| Mr. O. Randolph Held. broker. testified that Mr.
James Graf, In May or June, 1863. desired him to
sell 1900 bond, which had been gift to friend
| Of his
The Investigation was here adjourned until Satur.
/ day morning At II O'Clock.