New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-29
THE COURTS.
A BLAcKMAILER IN CUSTODY.

A BbACkMAlLER IN CUSIOD1.
THE LIFE OF SIMPSON, THE PAwNBRoKER, THREAT
ENED UNLESS he PAYS $780, MYSTERIOUS
WOMAN.
A young man signing himself George c.
Randolph was arragned before Justice Bxby, at the
Essex Market Police Court Saturday morning. charged
with attempting to rob-" the effort to extort money
by threats denomnated in the statute. Randolph was
arrested ON Friday q warrant obtained by William
Simpson, jr the Chathamst pawnbroker, the follow
letter being the immediate occasion OF Mr. Simpson
bringing the charge
AsToR HOUSE. July %, 1873.
WILLIAM SIMPSON 5r
SIR judge that you. from actions and speech
this morning. intend to put bold face on this matter
and, sir shall l. InOw give you in paper, above my
signature and address, my terms. want from you IN
cash (1 300 fifteen hundred dollars to Tor the
home that you have broke up aud II do not give 1t
to me shall shoot sight You threaten TO have
me arrested WellhOw you have good grounds TO pro
coed. am oupen for an answer until Tuesday morning,
10 o'clock, bv mail or herald personal Very resP'L
GEO. q. RANDOLPH, 2,311 Second-ave
In explanation OF the letter, which he had received
that morning, Mr. Simpson made substantially the fol-
lowing statement to Justice Bixby Simpson and Ran
dOlph formerly visited Miss nmberly These visits
continued until last December when Miss Tmberly was
married to the prisoner After the marriage Randolph
persistently annoyed Simpson by demands for money
based something in connection with his former visits
On the Sd OF the present month, Simpson in order to
release himself from these opportunities paid Randolph
$1,000, and received receipt releasing him from any
further Olams This witnessed by William Sinclair
clerk OF the Supreme Court and with In his posses
sion Simpson believed the matter be settled forever
In this he was mistaken for Randolph Immediately re-
newed his demands for money, and being threatened
with arrest he continued them, he wrote the letter
given above.
The prisoner was brought into court by officer Sat
urday morning. and after brief delay his counsel,
companied by woman said TO be Mrs. Randolph. The
three persons consulted for few moments after which
In
Justices questions, said George c. Randolph OF
No 231l secOnd-ave. born in Washington twenty
eight years ago, and my occupation Is that of sales
man guilty of writing the letter attached TO the
affidavit" After further consultation Mr. Hummel said
that his client had decided 10 waive examination and
asked the Court TO fix the amount OF the bail The JUS
tce fixed 1t 3,0OO and the lawyer and the woman
left the room aud Randolph was consigned TO his cell.
Mr.. Hummel said that effort would be made 10 obtain
BAIL but that Monday he would apply to Judge Dan
ies, OF the Supreme Court, for wrs OF certora and
habeas corpus when full particulars Of the case would be
made public and his clients side Of the story would be
told He said that such relations between Mr.. Simpson
and Mrs. Randolph, both before aud after marriage,
would be shown fully justified Randolph in the threats
he had made
The prisoner, a slender. unprepOssessing man. with
low forehead. light thin m9ustaehe anu gray eyes
he had been instructed by bis counsel TO say nothing
about the at will all come out on Monday, no
said He was asked where his wife could be found and
replied: There Is no your seeing her. Ihaye
told her not 70 say anything. VIII not say where she
is" Mr. Simpson equally reticent, and declined 10
say anything the subject further than what he had
told Justice Bixby.
No 23ll second-aye is half Of a small double-wooden
house with piazza running along the front upon which
the front door and parlor windows Open IL sets back
few yaIds from the street, aud Is almost hidden
by rose bushes and other sbrubbery. III
was evidently pretty country house, years
ago, when II the outskirts OF Harlem VII
lage. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Baker, wife OF the
owner of the house. the piazza talking with the
occupants of the other half OF the house. Mr. Ran
dOph has a room here she said but he has not been
home since - Mrs. Baker bestated and consulted
her neighbour Finally they concluded he had not been
home since Wednesday last. There Is no Mrs. Ran
doph that ever heard Of He has never had wife
any woman here, and have heard him speak OF
being married He roOmed here Tor several nights
aud has been at home every night far as know"
Mrs. Baker says she knew nothing Of his quarrel with
win Randolph good deal living next door, and have
talked and fshed with him. and heard OF his quar-
reng with simpson or or his being married. when ne
wrote that letter he been Just crazy drunk
or II crazy, OF his head-that must have been IT.