The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-26
KNEELAND'S FATAL SHOT.
DID A FEAR or BEING INDICTED M
PEI MN TO Suicide?
Allegations OF PERJURY and Forgery Against
the Dead MANA Referees Decision Given
Against Him-The Disputed Signatures.

allegations OF PERJURY and Forgery Against
the Dead MANA Referees Decision Given
Against uim-The Disputed Signatures.
The remains of william c. Knccland, who
shot himself in his Office in Hudson street on
Wednesday last. were buried in Greenwood
Cemetery on Saturday.
Since Mr.. Kneclands death the allegations
made against him in 1871 in the suits aris-
ing from the Evcrgrcrns Cemetery frauds
have been rctod. Mr.. Kneeland was ar
rested on the charge Of selling lots in the ceme-
terry for his own benefit. but on his appearance
before the Grand Jury he was discharged. Then
he sued tho officers of the cemetery and several
lot owners for damages. but did not make good
his claim. Litigation in regard to these frauds
Is yet pending.
Threats Of Indictment were made recently in
two cascs. In 1860 Mr.. Knceand bought several
lots in Central avenue. near Myrtle avenue.
Brooklyn and $4,000 was recently raised on
mortgages on the properly through Mr.. Oscar
II. Stcarns. n Williamsburgh lawyer Certain in
cumbranccs were on the property which Mr..
Stcarns paid. it is claimed. under proper au-
thorization. John Hope. who was the prima
facic owner Of the mortgages sned Stearns for
tho amount. and the latter cndcavored to throw
me case out OF court on the ground that HOPPE
was not the real owner of the MORTGAGES. He
avcrrcd that kneeand owned them. On Friday.
previous 70 his dcnth Kncclnnd testified before
them: Mr.. Stcarns ard Mr.. Charles NJ james,
u rrai estat, broker. testified that knceland had
told them that he was the owner. and had per-
sonally given them dire 'tions relativcto putting
thr mortgages on the market.
,,Durlng IN. reference. or Immediately after II,
Mr.. Htcarnss counsel said, cmphntcnlly. that
thrre had been perjury In the case. and he WINS
going to the bottom OF it, When. the referee
and lawyers met on Wednesday. Mr. Kn"elnnd
was not present. He shot himself that evening.
II r asserted that the evidence nrainst him was
sufficient TO convict him Of perjury, and that
%
made by Mr.. George Merritt Of 1888 William
street the son Of John j. Merritt. who, with Mr..
Meyers. was concerned in the Evcrgrcens Gem
etery matter ut the. time Kneeland IS alleged to
have committed the frauds. Mr.. Meyers has
Zen very ,Dtter IN the dcnunriatiun Of Mr..
knreland. both before and since the suicide.
Holskr 4 knecand failed in 1866. They
were manufacturers OF machines and models
at Water and Cherry streets. when IL became
evident that The business could not 60 on,
mort9agc on tho stock WIS given to Mr.. John
! Merritt. and at his instance n sale was made.
la this way he recovered. in whole or in part
money which he had invested there He said
that this money was loaned to the firm or paid
y H. Tor ~" manufacture OF certain machines
for him. knechnd claimed tina, Merritt was
partner, nnd should have shared the losses. A
sun WIS h"gun IN which Sarah Holske and he
wrrr rlnini iis against Merritt. The defendant
n.WcNrr. dlc, AMI MS widow. as admlnstra-
~ IT, alleged that after the death 81 John ].
Merritt three forged papers were produced by
Mr. hnc.land. referring 10 n copnrtnnrship
between Merritt and Holske and Knirland. The
three alleged signatures Of John j. Merritt to
thrs" papers were photographed on mrge
caro- with twenty other genuine ones. and were
picked out BY several experts. A son OF Mr.
Merritt testified that his name WIS John Mcr-
John j. Merritt. Jr."
Again. tho three papers We're dated respec-
lively April rs. June 9. and oct. a. 1866 A
physician testified before the refcrce that he
saw and heard John j. Merritt acknowledge his
signature to the paper dated June q. in the
Greenwich Bank. AZ 400 Hudson street. This
paper referred to the paper dated April IL. so
mat II the one signature is genuine the other
must bee genuine.
The weight Of evidence secmed to tho referee
IN invor OF the defendant. H. decided that Mer-
rlit had not been partner. and that Mr. Knee
land could not recover He did not in lis re-
port declare that forgery had been committed
nui u L. argued that he must have believed that
m sl-nui urrs re iorgrr"s. because they were
attached 20 papers explicitly declaring the cX-
~ ne" ~ partnership.
the decision hai the force Of jury yer lirt
and did not have 70 await confirmation by a
court. II WAS nude on Friday. the 10th inst
iNe days before the suicide, and WIS immrdi-
.irly communicated TO Mr.. kurrland. Mr.
Alhiher. Nj. In Glands counsel. tod him that
y" would az unce enter an appeal. and that no
indictment could be- had ON the case until the
al ural should lf decided.
Mr.. George Merritt told several persons Mt
an 1. NJ times that 10" WAS going before the
rand jury &C Ntw York today (MondAy. Now
- d. have hntN.und inilf a.