Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-01
rsrrc1AL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. !

VIII De TeiedSeu Odburudys AHle SNOHt AS-
calls the details of a most remarkable case.
rsPEcIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.l
PHILADELPHIA, July 31.-William r.
Dickerson, who was the principal defend
ant in the suits growing out of the forgery
of millionaire Robert Whittaker's will ten
years ago, and who was sentenced to ten
years imprisonment in the Eastern Peni-
tentiary, will be released from prison on
Saturday next, after having spent just
seven years and IL months behind the bars.
Two years and one month was the commu-
tation he received for good behavior.
When Dickerson was sentenced he was
also ordered to pay fine of 81 900, but he
will probably plead insolvency, and in that
way be relieved Of that much of his punish
ment. Dickerson, Joel NJ. Van Arsdalen
and Herman c. PulGe were arrested in 1878
on the charge OF having forged tie will of
Robert Whitaker, a miserly millionaire
who lived on Sixth street, opposite Wash
ington square. Dickerson was lawyer
and claimed to have transacted Whittaker's
business.
TOO MANY WILLS.
w men the mlSeT was hlll6O dI q Tal1TOdu
crossing at Holmesburg his relatives brought
forward for probate will. They were told
that Dickerson, who was in New York, had
written to the Register to the effect that he
had the latest and true document The heirs
went to him, and he offered to deliver the
paper to them for 500, but it was refused.
Diekerson says they then raised the cry
of forgery and finally sent him to prison.
Be that as it may, the heirs fled caveat
and one of the most famous will contests OF
the country was begun. Dickerson pro-
duced will, witnessed by Thomas G. Row.
lett and Herman c. Pulte, in which the old |
miser left an estate of 5000, 900 to found a
school for orphan girls on the plan of Girard |
College.
William Whitaker, Daniel Sheetz and |
A. B. Negus were made executors, but they |
were to be subject to the advice and consent |
of William r. Dickerson, who was made |
solicitor of the estate. The other will left |
the estate to the relatives of the dead miser !
The heirs put detectives on the case, who |
discovered that Dickerson was in close con- |
ference with Pulte, j. Wesley Hellings, |
Jonathan Schofeld, Joel Van Arsdalen and |
a famous Western forger named Joseph B. |
Reed.
CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY.
They claimed that the Dickerson will was
forged and Dickerson, Pulte and Van |
Arsdalen were arrested, and in October,
1878, indicted for conspiracy to forge the |
will. Habeas corpus proceedings were
begun before Judge Briggs, and the bail of
each was brought down to these figures:
Pulte, $4,000; Van Arsdalen, S8.00O and
Dickerson, s., 1000. In the civil proceedings
the Register of Wills granted a rehearing,
and afterward an issue to have the case tried
in the Common Pleas was granted.
On April 9, 1879, a settlement was effected
in favor of the heirs, and Dickerson'S will |
was set aside. Lawyer Furman Sheppard
was taken into the case about that time, and
succeeded in having the verdict set aside.
The trial, which was the longest in the
country, not excepting the Beecher trial,
was begun on January 26, 1880. John G.
Bullitt, Samuel Dickson, John G. johnson
and Samuel Pancoast appeared for the
heirs, while the Dickerson party was repre-
sented by Furman Sheppard, j. J. Mac
Miller and Maxwell Stevenson. One hun
dred and fifty witnesses were examined, and
for nearly five months the Judge and jury
listened to the evidence.
THE HEIRS WIN.
Finally, after a five days speech by Mr..
Bullitt, and two three-days' speeches BY
Mr.. Sheppard, Judge Allison delivered
charge covering 76 pages of printed pamph-
let, strongly in favor of the heirs, and being
out one day, the jury on the 9th of May
gave verdict for the heirs. The trial cost
nearly 500, 900 and consumed over 5000
pages of typewriter testimony.
In 1881 Dickerson, Pulte and Van Arsda-
len were put on trial in the Criminal Court
They were represented by Aaron Thompson.
f. Amadee Bregy, Isaiah V. Brown, Henry
NJ. Miller, Louis Bregy and Henry f. Hep
burn. The charges against them were.
first, with executed conspiracy; second, with
executed conspiracy; third, with
making a written instrument.
and fourth, with uttering and publishing it. |
Pulte pleaded guilty, turned states evil
dence and was sentenced to three years i'm
prisonment, dating from his original incar-
ceration, his term thus expiring on October
8, 1881. A motion for new trial was re-
fused, and on September 3, 1881, Judge
Pierce sentenced the other two men to pay a
fine Of 81 900 each and undergo an impris-
ment OF ten years.
AGREED WITH HIM.
Dickersou, when he was sent to prison.
was SO feeble that his friends thought him I
on the brink of the grave. Prison life, how
ever, seems to have agreed with him, and.
although time has told on him, he is really
| far more healthy man now than he was ten c
Years ago. Van Arsdalen, who seemed {
NNNS' anu III the Desb vi uedlIn, OleQ Lnree :
years ago in prison. Pulte is still in this
'lIy and engaged in building operations.
William X. Dickerson came to this city
rom Bucks county in 1887, and was ad-
nitted to the bar. Hewas an active LAWYER
md began successful crusade against the
ow offices, which were then charging fees
ar beyond the fee bill. In 1850 he was a
eform candidate for District Attorney.
William b. Reed being the successful can
idate.
Two years later Dickerson conducted an
ther reform canvass with the Sherif's
flee as the objective point, but again met
nth failure, Samuel Allen, the Wing can
idate, being elected. Dickerson was a
equitable and accomplished lawyer until
e became connected with the Van Arsda-
en-Pulte gang.