Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-04
VICTIMS or swISDLER.
Prom a SucceSsfuI Eawyer to a Fug =
tiye from Jusiice-'ietbOSo OF
Iyta Operations.

An instance Of most contemplate dis
honesty has Just come to light in the
case Of Jonas II. Goodman, a man who
did net rob persons who could bear the
loss, but selected as his victims widows
anil children, whom he deprived OF the
substance which WIS left them a8 n safe
guard through life 4; who did not contiue
himself to swindling strangers in whom
ho had no personal interest, but chose
his giie and his brothor-in-law to suffer
by his pccuIations. The New York Ir'-
tune has the following
Several years ago, Jonas II. Goodman,
Of Room 30, No. - Broadway, was
doing q fine law business in bank
ruptcy, banking, and general CONNER
cial cases. He. his wife, and his four
children were living at a fashionable
boarding house kept by Mrs. Fishblatt,
ut No. IS west Onc-hundred and twcn-
ty-ffth street, and Goodman was one of
the members Of the Mt. Morris Club.
Ie developed mania for gambling,
however, and his income of from SlO,-
GOO TO $50, 900 % year dwindled rapidly AS
his neglect Of hIs business made itself
felt. borrowing money was the first
method Of solving his difficulties, and as
the time went on Mr.. Goodman found 1t
necessary TO resort to other means Of
making ends meet.
G0odmau's known victims include
Mrs. Harriet Traub, whom he robbed Of
$4,000; Charles A. Miller, $500; Mrs.
Jonas II. Goodman $40, 600, her dowry ;
and NJ. c. Lcten, his brotherin-law, Of
sum estimated at Sj5, 900. What his
entertainments in other directions
have been can hardly DO estimated, be-
cause his victims are counted by the
dozen. In addition 10 what has been
mentioned bis debts amount b thou
sands OF dollars. But, irrespective of
the money itself be is guilty Of having
thrown several persons into rum, the
most touching case being that of young
Miller, mentioned above, who is now
languishing in the TOmbs prison on &C.
count OF GoOdman's Vaccinations.
The embezzler's methods wore almost
as ingenious rs were those OF bedell and
Foster. The case Of the Irsub estate is
an Illustration. Solomon Traub died IN
July, 1887, and left his wife and family
nothing but policy in the New York
Lite Insurance Company for $1,000 ;
Harriet Iraub and her two children,
Blanche, aged seventeen, and Ernest.
aged fifteen. being the heirs. Goodman
had been Mr.. Traub's legal adviser, and
before his client was buried the
lawyer rushed up TO the house
and persuaded Mrs. Traub 10
come to the Suuogstes Office,
where, be said, he had some important
papers for her 10 sign. The papers were
an Application for letters OF administra-
ton by Mrs.. Traub, and Goodman cum
nlngly inserted clause without her
knowledge praying that he be appoint
ed co-aaministrator. The sOrrowing
widow unsuspectingly signed the docu-
ment, the bondsmen being furnished by
Goodman in the person Of a Mr.. kamin-
sky oiiGs kammaker and Mr., ParsOn,
who represented themselves TO be worth
in the aggregate Sl74,OO0.
As soon as the papers were issued,
Goodman drew the money and told Mrs.
TTsub that the Surrogate, under the law,
had 10 hold the amount for 8 year. This
lie was believed by the widow. and she
waited until the end Of the year before
she made any claim. Then. about six
weeks ago, after failing 10 keep a num-
Der OF appointments, Goodman dissp-
peared. Blanche Traub then became q
client Of Charles ID. Evans, OF No. !
Murray street. who has been trying 10
bring Goodman 10 justice ever since.
Mr.. Evans has petitioned the Surrogate 10
Withdraw the letters of co-adminis.ration
in order TO get into legal position which
will enable him TO proceed eriminally
against Goodman. The lawyer has also
puOlieiy cited Goodman TO appear. Yet
Mr.. Goodman has not appeared. but,
what is more. has disappeared, and has
not been seen here in six weeks. de left
the office one day, saying be intended 70
| Join his family at Tannersyille. IN heI