New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-17
VICTIMS OF PERSECUTION.
THOMAS poTTERs THIRST FOR REVENGE.

HOW HE TREATED MRS, PLUME AND HbA' SN-' -
SUIT FOR 900 DAMAGES.
suit which was brought to trial in the Hudson
County Circuit Court yesterday reviy ed a scandal
which agitated Jersey City society last summer 1t is
brought by Robert G. Plume. son of julia A. Plume,
to recover SO 900 damages from Thomas Potter for
alleged libel Mr. Potter is a wealthy contractor, VINO
carries extensive business in this vicinity ana In
Boston and elsewhere He is one of the best known
in Jersey Cit,. Mrs Plume was loft widow with
infant two years after her marriage, which TOOK
place in 1860. and from that time until 1888 MI.
Potter alleges that she aud her the recipients
of his and his wife's bounty. The young man was
graduated from Rutgers College iii 1881 and shortly
afterward was taken into Mr. Poters employ and sent
Boston assista Mt superintendent Mr. Potter had
extensive dredging contract IN Boston Mt that time
In 1882 Mr. Plume took general charge OF Mr. Poters
business. aud remained in his employ until August
1884. when he resigned. lie was to be married on
October T. 1884, and two days before that date he
learned that Mr. Potter accused him having embezzed
or stolen $50 1t this accusation that the libel suit
is based Counselors Boscherling and Herbert ap-
peared for the plantiff, ami Mayor Collins aud Mr..
Douglas for the defendant.
Il was shown in evidence that Mrs Plume and her
had lived with the Potter family off and on for
number of years. Sometimes she paid board ana at
other times she did not. In 1872 Mrs. Plume was
subordinate teacher in of the public schools IN tho
lower part OF the city but about that time Mr. Potter
was elected to Board of Education and made presl-
dent OF the Board lie caused Mrs Plume to be trans
fcrred TO school in Greenyilc and shortly afterward
had her promoted TO the prncpalshlp. lie also bad
will drawn up in when he bolucathed to Mrs. Plume
one-fh Of his estate IN consideration OF his re-
spCct and esteem tor her. After the rupture OF his
friendly relations Mr.. Potter apparently became rs
bitter IN his anmosty a he had previously been warm
in his friendship. After Young Plume's marriage no
and his wife aud his mother went to Portland, Oregon
intending to settle down there Mr. Potter learned
where they were and wrote several bitter letters to
them lie also wrote a communication which was pub
l,,hed in "Thc Portland Orcsonian' accusing young
Plume of THEFT and charging Mrs Hume with being an
unfit person to employ eel as teacher, she ia'Ihg
secured an appointment IN school there lie WIote
letter o. David = Fnuc, Oi waterbury. Conn., an
ulele .f young Plume charging the y0un2 man win
theft Mrs. Plume aud her son ana dang hter-lh-it"
came back from Portland and cudcaY0Ted 10 udNc hI
Potter indicted for malicious per-ecuuon nut la'lcd
The story OF the case va, published IN June a7t "uu
Mr. Potter alleges bat the publication was malicious
Ol the part OF the lium"s, a. II "a' mue 'e" GAYS
before The marriage Oi his eldest daughter huhoeI
ot the letters written by Mr. Potter were pTodn''t M
tho ;ral. There are enough OF them to make small
,nc Of the letters concludes follows in speaking
Of Mrs Plume, lie uas made an enemy VINO
viii follow him rs long A. be lives. hc mas uhhrC'S-
niy love nf hi- even IT have 10 90 10 Boston shall
Ice home to night and tomorrow night ana shall not
allow YOU 10 remain in Gr,cnyilc after youi company
Ia. ro9c VITA bitterness IN my heart love you
',, n,I ,',.. .ouI TuM"
I'm another letter be says: " | had n paid agent IN
purl,nd before YOU reached there, ana lo-uaN nave
tL1cs correspondents there, two 81 whom ar" unHer
r,ul,r salary to watch and report your moH enCht'
aa veil "a those of yOur son; your record vi" Io,'"
y,u itlu "A week into my house where you may VISIT
In. rec ,rd will meet him face 10 lace III al busih' s.
- i,t, ,,nirn ne enter. Don't YOU think
th,t rluuiug away from me u poor paying Spt'""-
tt,n Now | would rather du y"n go'l IMAM harm'
/ would rather save you iiom \'u.S'' "Hu so..
ti,ud. aud the fatal past few years than push YOU 10
r,. yr.l and 10 ruin hut Nou must make choice oI
,Soich II shall be- No moro cntrcaty from e. IL you
Tor ono ittc month longer persist IN the course You
hsyc pur-ucd the Last .iX months. YOU VIII Hud me
u,,nrI b,o a. death. Could You encompass my dllh-
IL would bring YOU relief Tor by tue provision o
will made fortnight ago one halt OF all nave III the
world /. ,rt apart to uc used in following YOU ana
yours uttrrmo-t parts OF the eatth-to pun'S"
Tho dcyili-h trrachcry oi You BOTH
Mr.. Ilimc that she ucN cracccpt any money
from Mr. Potter except loan. and sho repaid NM
At one time she loaned Mr.. Potter eZ.o" ana ne P''h
II lurk She first accepted so month Tor hcr ser
,ior. IN the Potter family and after she h'camc
teacher she paid ner board About The tlme "i the
runtufc she made some thristmns presents to Mr;
poicf cmldicu In 'Or present oi Sou ne nan
made 10 her son but Nj Potter sent them Oaca iLc
ulniptin tcstined that be was three years III Mr.
fntters em,loy and was not accused OF thelt uuu'
after he had resigned. , ,.....
The defence u III bo that Mr. Potter wrote the letters
because he learned that Mrs Ilume ana hri sou nau
heeu Wilt lug lin and h- family. and that they were
i,iiegcd communcntions most OF them having oeeh
urr in an,wer 10 letters written to him. lhc caso
vii 20 q tot day.