The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-16
WAS mrs. PUTNAM BRIBED !?
TWO HORNS OF A DILEMMA
How Man Acts Who Has Either slandered
Woman or Who Knows the Truth
and Dares to Tell Falsehood.
AN INTERVIEW WITH WIN. L. ALLEN.

AN INTERVIEW WITH WIN. L. ALLEN.
Startling % was the story SET anoat by one Will
liam L. Allen, Q merchant doing business at o.
Pearl street, that Mrs. Avery d. Putnam had
ceived pribe OF 900 from the friends OF Foster
for signing the letter to Governor DIX. far
more curious was . general and sweeping denial
from the same source which appeared in q card
on yesterday. copy OF this letter came to the
HERALD once late at night, but, being unauthent-
Gated, 1t was confidently believed to be forgery
and was not used. After the admissions which Mr..
Allen had, on the Saturday previous made to our
reporter. and the public boasts which he had re-
peatedy uttered, 1t seemed incredible that he could
be the author Of the letter. The afidayts
of many reliable and prominent merchants
had been placed at the service OF the
HERALD, three Of which had been printed,
yet five days after the article appeared-aiter Mr..
Allen had maintained the most logged silence to
a multitude OF reporters who had visited MIN, and
especially to the same HERALD reporter who had
originally called upon him, and before whom he
had gone SO far as to tell who furnished the
money-after all this the HERALD representative,
the merchants and Aliens personal friends were,
one and ALL given thoroughbred sensation yes
terday morning in reading this card. Although 1t
had never been charged that the money was paid
Through" Allen the intent Of his letter certainly
was to deny everything. II Mrs. Putnam has been
sandered by Allen, her cousin by marriage, it was
certainly most despicable act. Believing then,
that Allen would be ready and anxious to explain
this unen vtabe position. HERALD reporter called
at his ONCE yesterday afternoon to give him an
HOW ALLEN ACTS AND FEELS
Entering the room William L. Allen was found
seated st his desk, moody and silent. He did not
see fit to return the reporters SalutatiOn The
PLANTATION given above offered for the nOn-ap-
pearance OF the letter IN the HERALD.
'YOur card this morning places you in position
in which an explanation OF your reasons for clrcu-
lating the story In relation to the bribery of Mrs.
esd to s p ss ros
81 positively refuse to be interviewed told you
SO the first time you came here, v SAID Mr.. Allen.
'You also told me several other things, as You
will doubtless remember" said the HERALD man.
Silence from Mr. Allen.
.sYou even ventured to name the man who had
furnished the money did you not ?" mildly asked
No answer from Mr.. Allen.
"YOu told me, in so many words, that Mr. Kemp,
Fosters uncle, had supplied the money!" said the
stil no answer, although our representative
waited patiently for it.
most cruel SANDER to place upon Mrs Putnam.
You are certainly the originator Of 1t; have youno
Mr. Allen sat and gazed at the reporter. but save
q nervous twitchng Of his hands, he manifested an
assumed indifference to what was being said to
reporter quietly asked, as he unfolded piece OF
manuscript-"Mr. Allen, have several questions
c GscN %n IN replying
IL will not be interviewed" said Mr.. Allen In
holy horror. AT the same moment: turning to ms
down every word which has passed between myself
and all the reporters. l have copy-no, have
two copies OF some interviews. Things never 60
into newspaper straight"
az am glad that you have kept copies OF our In
nish them" said tie reporter bowling himself out
Mr.. Allen left his ONCE soon alter.
HOW ALIENS FRIENDS TALK.
1t may be incidentally stated that the HERALD
reporter returned to Mr.. Aliens office to give him
another opportunity to talk. and that while sitting
there, awaiting the entrance OF the proprietor, the
"where is Allen ~ said q large, hnelsoking
"Out, y said the clerk with spartan brevity.
~ am astonished to see his letter in the papers
this morning" said the stranger.
'Why ?n asked the Laconic scribe.
"Because he contradicts his former statements
am sorry to md him in such an uncomfortable
situation" said tile gentleman, meanwhile walking
Familiarity inside the railing and taking chair and
AIthourh the reporter remained until i've p. M
Mr.. Allen did not return. The letter was prob
ably zoo much Of an effort for him. Illuminating
upon the value OF CONFIDENTIAL advisers In general
Mr.. william Hurburt, of Hurlburt Son, e5 Pearl
street, was visited by HERALD reporter and
stated:-"Mr. Allen consulted me about writing
that letter, and strongly urged him not to doit:
/ did my best to convince him that he could not
afford to do so. He will regret it,"
How Mr.. william L. Allen Encountered
Another Reporter.
Shortly after noon yesterday HERALD reporter
No. called at Mr.. William L. Aliens place of pusi-
ness and, proceeding to the rear of the store in
CURED OF young man in the ONCE If Mr.. william
L. Allen was in.
10 Mr. Aunu tha =,
was the response, and the young man pointed to
man who was much larger and not young.
As the reporter approached from behind
Mr.. Allen turned sharply around and walked
toward the rear Of the store. He is q tall
man, OF large frame, and wears fun, dark
beard. and is devoid Of any expression in feature
save q certain sullen semnolency. He was sur
mounted by 'plug' hat and had his hands thrust
deep into the pockets of dark close-buttoned
overcoat.
'Are you Mr.. William L. Allen" inquired the re-
porter
al am" replied the individual addressed
'Wel, sir, Ihave come to inquire whether let
ter received at the HERALD ONCE, and purporting
to be signed by you, is genuine, and whether 1t
was sent by you or with your knowedgeG 1t con-
tains denial Of the published statements that you
know Of money having been paid to Mrs. Punam
for her signature to the petition in behalf Of
The big man began to move away by the right
flank.
The reporter nanked with him and continued
"and denies also that you ever''-
The retrograde movement by the same flank was
continued by the heavy mau and by the reporter
likewise.
THAT yen ever stated 50 to any one whatever
That's all right said the large man, in kind
OF whisper over his left shoblder and in an instant
he was In full retreat but in good order. He had
about six PAGES the start Of the reporter but was
overtaken just as the inner once door closed be-
hind him. The bulky man walked up to q stove
and, coming to o halt, went into camp forming his
lines with his rear to the enemy. The reporter,
who followed, again opened Communications.
~ should like TO know, Mr.. Allen, whether you
sent that letter Or not as 1t was thought possible
that In view OF the facts 1t might be a forgery"
He turned as II awakened ron q dream and