The New York herald., 1875-08-23
JERSEY CITY FRAUDS.
THE vAPoR GAsLIGHT swNDLE-How BUMsTEn
WAS CHEATED OUT OF THIRTY THOUSAND


DOLLARS.
The Commissioners Of Jersey City who are charged
with having received seventy five per cent OF the vapor
Gas Company's stock say they received dollar
OF the stock any interest in the contract No at
tempt has been made, however, to explain the swors
testimony that 1sZ per cent of tho companys stoch
placed in the hands OF the brother OF Of
them, 1sz per cent given to the OF another,
ana 1917 per cent to the chosen representative Of
third before tho contract awarded and that for
this controlling interest the stock not Of
consideration paid Ono Of those who was present
in tho meeting at which these allotmenh
made Major David B. BridG
ford, we'll known contractor, and ex Confederate
officer When the former testimony taken in thu
proceeding in the New York Superior Court Bridgford
was absent in the West He returned last week, and
subpnnaed by ex-Judge Rankin, counsel for
Walker. who. will be remembered. is the creditor Of
Fayette and who is seeking the seventy vS
per cent of stock the ground that the transfer by
Fayctte to the Commissioners OF Public Works was
fraudulent and void, no consideration having been paid
therefor.
BRrDGFoRD WAS SWORN
and examined before Judge Freedman in the Superior
Court Chambers, Friday last. He testified produo
ing memorandum made at the time, that on January
g. 1872, meeting was arranged at the house Of B. W
Gillette brother Of Commissioner Gillette and who was
present with James H. Startup, son of Commissioner
Startup Major Harris, Michael Nathan and the wit
ness; that 1t there agreed that 1sA per cent
OF the stock OF the Fayette Vapor Gas Com
pany to be transferred to B. W. Gillette,
for his brother President Of the Board of Public Works,
1sA per James H. Startup for his father Com.
missioner startup and 1s& per cent to william Robert.
son, formerly partner Of Commissioner Bumsted in
organized by w. Gillette taking the chair and James
H. Startup acting secretary
O. Is there any doubt in your mind that the transfer
of stock by Mr. Faycte to each of the parties you have
named made TO them in behalf OF Commissioners
Gillette, Startup and Bumscdf A. No doubt whatever;
know IT. that was the agreement and understanding.
The witness further testified that Robertson subse-
quently declined 10 hold the stock in Bumstcd's behalf
that John Soper Jersey City surveyor suggested TO
witness that lac would hold it for Bumsted and that wit
that a few days
MEETING
another was held at Taylors Hotel, in Jersey CITY, the
same parties, with the exception of Commissioner Gil
ette being present. and further details there agreed
upon that the next meeting was at the office of New
York lawyer, Commissioner Gillettes brother, Commits
sioner Startups and witnesses being present; he
could not say whether the others were present not;
that the papers there signed for tho permanent
ganZaon of the Faycttc Napor Gasght Company,
under the laws of the State of New York. that
ing to Bumsteds request Soper as representing his
stock made president Of the company that subse
qucnt meetings always held at the Office of William
Starup Co., No 16 Chambers street, that witness held
his stock for two years and allowed share
in the profits although assured by of the officers OF
the company that profits were made, whereupon hd
sold to Samuel McBurncy, Of Jersey City, that he
present one Sunday evening at tho house of James
II. Startup in Jersey City, when Commissioner Startuu
was present. and the affairs of the company talked
receiver was appointed by Judge Speir OF the Su.
perior Court on the application Of Mr. Rankin and
Injunction order has been served upon the Messrs Gil
letc although their stock sold time ago) and
the Messrs Startup and the other stockholders prohb
itng them from transferring from their possession any
OF the stock or other interest which Fayette had owned
in the company or contract
Walkers counsel, Mr. Rankin states that Bumsted,
shortly after his release from State Prison, informed
hm that Soper had refused TO give him the stock which
had been placed in his hands to be held for him bum
sted), and that others had robbed him IN similar way
in his absence, saying, with some feeling Men who
wouldn't have had a shirt on their backs but for mo
HAVE ROBBED NE NOT LESS THAN THIRTY THOUSAND
DOLLARS" ="
The holders OF Fayettc vapor Gas stock exceed
ingly wrathy with Fayctc for giving such testimony
he did. Az an interview held at the companys oicc,
No 161 Chambers street and which is also the Office OF
William Startup n Co., liquor dealers, Fayettc told
by the younger Startup Id give you 800 to 20 over
TO Jersey City and make the same AFFIDAVIT that was
present at that meeting" intimatng that If Fayette did
so he would bc arrested for perjury. When Fayette
saw Bridgford produce the memorandum made at the
time Of the meeting, confirming his testimony he set
out TO find Startup and the 500 He said he thought
Startup could risk Indictment by the Grand Jury he
iFayettc) could
The step In the history Of the Fayettc vapor Gas
Company will probably be taken month. when the
Grand Jury OF Hudson county Is TO meet.