New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-02
MR.. BERUELL'S ARREST.

A SERIES OF TROUBLES LEADING TO 1T.
BAH. FURNISHED ON THE CHARGE OF PERJURY
TIE ACCUSED MANS ACCOUNT OF HIS MisF0R-
TUNns-A SECOND MARRIAGE THAT DID NOT
RESULT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SUITS AND COUN-
TER-sUITs.
Robert II. Berdell. ex-president of the Eric Rail
way, who was arrested tuesday Gu charge OF per-
iury in a civil suit Yesterday furnished the rcqlls-
l!e bonds aud was released from the lOmhS; TX
Judge William j. GrOO a1d Taylor * Parker
app AIRED as his counsel at the District
Attorneys Office, and attended to the
drawing up of the necessary papers.
Nh Berdcl IS venerable looking. whte-laired
man. and is probably slXiy-fve years Old. \ IRB-
UNF reporter asked HIM for statement OF his side
"My troubles began" said Mr. Bardell, when |
weak enough to marry yOn9g d3shing , ana
some years, and in December, 1852, Married
Della Barnard, daughter of Chauhcey Barnard, OF
this city. Associated with me IN Erie Railway al
fairs Was AS. Murray, president OF the Goshen
Bank lie was a member of the Board OF Directors
and was my mos intimate friend. AZ his request
greatly improved It. Murrays home was directly
opposite TO IT, aud our families were
on intimate terms. We lived in peace ana happiness
until 1874, when Wisner Murray, son OF my TREND
became unnecessarily attentive TO Mrs. Bcrdell, and
she seemcd TO encourage hun. These visits ied 10 an
arrangement between my VIE and myself. MY
household at that time consisted OF my three emil
dTen by my first wife, three more by my second, MIS-
Il. w. PArkhurst, widow of my former confidential
clerk, her mother, Cnauncey Barnard, my wlie,s
father and brother OF Mrs. Berdelfs, who was OF
weak MUD. We continued 10 live IN this unhappy
way until November o. 1875. On the morn
Sswyd ait to- day attend we to y q Sas
ness Judge of my surprise on my return in the
evening " hen | found my home dlsmantled. All
the inmates except my daughter by my first wife
haCfieft the house with my wife,. My two sons were
not at home at the time. My wife had carried away
valuable paintings naid tables, brc-a-orac. beds,
linen securities from my safe, and other articles,
all valued at over 100000 house had been taken
in another part of the village and the moving was
conducted under the supervision of a man who had
been sent from a lawyers office in New-York City.
| subsequently, learned that Mrs. Berdell had been
in the habit of visiting the office OF the law firm IN
New-York aud that the principals of the firm had
paid frequent visits to my house in my absence.
The LAWYERS in time made themselves at home in
nv family.
her of suits was begun against me. Mrs. Parkhurst
sued me tor certain securities which she charged be-
longed to her. and brought cross-sllt against her
for an accounting. | was ready and willing to ac-
count TO her concerning all transactions. ana to pay
To her any balance which might be shown to be due
to her. Her husband, while he vas my CON
fdential clerk held q trust-deed on certain
valuable property in WooSterst this city, IN favor
of my children by my first wife. The deed was
made before my second marriage and under it be
collected large Sums of money which were never
paid over TO my children. He had a power of at
torney and complete control Of my business affairs
and al his DEATH in 1867, his wife, as his eXecurlx.
got into her possession a large amount OF
NV property. The suits have been in hti-
gition ever since. The alleged perjury Tor
which | have been arrested Is based
on statement made by me before the referee IL
the suit brought by Mrs. ParkhuIst that had sold
TO her. about the month Of January, 1870, twenty
lots in Brooklyn for $4,000. She de les this,
while tho fact is that the deed Is OF record III the
Registers Office in Brooklyn There Is also on
record the same office deed OF transfer OF me
same property made subsequently by Mrs. Park
hurst and can't where the perjury IS unless II
is OH her part The object of my arrest Is its hoped
for effect at this particular time, when three I'M
ahnut
In addition to the suits, one for divorce was in
stituted by my wife. woman was sent up from
New York and because | was seen IN her presence
the fact was used conclusive evidence of infdel-
ty against me. AT The same time began SUIT Tor
dlyorcc against Ely wife, the correspondent beng
young Mdrray. My wife, however succeeded IN
her suit against me, and was granted divorce with
allmony.
Wien my wife left ne the Murrays took sides
with her The sons insuted me on the street when
ever they met me; they hurled crrses at inc and
they made themselves as S TH'0u' son as ' has
heard rumors OF intended violence toward
me- and al his solicitation provided myself with a
revolver Ga July ID. 1876. on my return from
New York was met nj the Goshen railway station
by Wlsner Murray, A. T. Murray, jr, Chauncy Bar.
uard and J. H. Conner They crowded the door OF
the station that III entering bad to turn side
ways ard pass between them. As L ana so, a. =.
Murray, IT,, pinloDed my arms behind me, put his
knees u.dcr minc and forced nc backward III a
helpless condition The Others beat me on me tacc
win rawhde and an umbrella Their effort was
appaFen. ly to destroy my 6yeS.ght. W nile 1 was
being forced down my right hand was drawn
against my pistOl-pOclet, and my revolver was
actually forced mo my hand. drew the revolver,
and Wisner Murray, seeing II, ran away ne
Jumped over the counter OF tie rcireshnentoo IN
The station and stood IN doorway leading
from tho room. As hc faced mo l saw
him aim n pistol at me. was too quick
for him and he was shot His pistol fell at his feet.
| was arrested of My ilal was before > us
tce Coleman OF Goshen, and, after an EXTENDED IN
yestI.ation / was hOnOrably discharged. Bh. from
that time until now everything possible has Deen
brought to bear by my prosecutions In t,0usand
and one different ways 10 make my life unendnrLbe.
TEoy have not succeeded. however and Will fight
them until tho last. From the first il has been
foul conspiracy to rob INC Of my property aud to
desolatc nv home
Mr. Berdsli added that for twenty-five years he
had been a successful merchant iii this city, and
tnat ho retired from business III 1868 lie wGs
president OF the Erie Railway Company from 1864
10 1868. He also president of the Long Dock
Company, OF Jersey City, aud OF the Bergen Tunnel
Company. This tunnel was built under his presi-
dercy He hss also had large connection with
banking aud financial institutions, being AZ differ
emf times on the Boards OF the Central National
BANK OF New-York the National Trust Company,
lhe AstLa Insurance Company and the Republic ln-
suraDce Company.
Artist Ito pOrter)-" You carried my pic
ure 10 the Academy ana handed to tho commit
tee - Porter- Yes, and 1t pleased 'em nightly. Ii
don vou1 % u