Connecticut western news., 1878-10-09
A SCHEME TO STEAL.
BOLD GAME TO ROB AN ESTATE IS CON- CocTED IN NEW YORK AND FAILS
 IN PHILADELPHIA.

A Philadelphia letter says On the 25th of August last Robert Whitaker, possessed of $1 ,O0O, ,00O, was killed on the Pennsylvania Railroad near Bristol, Penn, by train from New York to this city. Whitaker was business man of Philadelphia, and resided here, having his country-seat near the place where he was killed. As soon as he died dispatch was received by the Register of Wills here from William R. Dickerson, a lawyer of New York, requesting the Register not to receive any will of Robert Whitakre, as he Dickerson would bring the will over Tn 8 few days. In the document two men named Sheetz and Wegus were named as Executors, while Dickerson was appointed counsel for the estate, with power to direct and control the Executors. In fact, the will gave the whole management of the estate into Dickerson's hands. The heirs were cut off with paltry sums of $15, ,O0O each, and the hundreds of thousands were Dicker- sons beyond doubt, had he succeeded in his desperate game. It has now been learned that the Dickerson will is a fraud, and that the signatures were forged, As has already been announced in the zSnaes, Dickerson is in prison, where he will probably remain for a number of years.
 The bold scheme to get possession of
 
 the dead mans millions was concocted in New York City, and at room in French's Hotel the villany was per- petrated. It is believed the forgery was committed by Herman c. Pulte, who is known here as "shyster" " lawyer, and who has been caught in several affairs, which should have given him long residence in jail, but he always wriggIed out of them. The seal to the will was made by an engraver in Nassau street and the paper on which the fraudulent document was written was purchased within stone's throw of the hotel The will purports to have been made in July 1875, and the writing appears faded and old. This was accomplished by chemically prepared ink. A few days since woman expressed from New York to this city bundle of papers tc Pulte. Instead of reaching him, they fell into the hands of detective. Amons the papers were several sheets contain ing Whitaker's name, showing that Pult' had been practicing the forgery. H' had sent for them so that in cas, Dickerson was successful in having tn, fraudulent will probated, he could no shut Pulte out, but the latter would have these evidences in his possession t. hold as whip over his partners hea( with threat to expose him
 In addition to Pulte, who is also il prison, Joel VanarsdaIe, Bristol lawyer shiftless sort of fellow, has been take1 into custody. He was present at French when the will was made, and is partne in the scheme. During his lifetime and business transactions, Whitake made some of the worst men in the com munity his companions, among others those who have tried to rob his heirs Dickerson jumped his bail here, at tn time he took up his residence in NeN York, for embezzIement. He was at on time an honorable business man, bu h1s greed for gain overtopped his goo qualities, and he gave himself up to ras cality. He is nearly seventy years C age, and decrepit. When admitted t prison, and asked his residence, he saic "I have no residence guess I migE as well stay here for the rest of my life. , The chances are that he will.