Evening journal., 1889-01-19
THE WIZARD SWlNDLED.
Thomas A. Edison Robbed of
$4,000
TWO uNGRArEFUL EMPLOYEES.


Pennsylvania Capitalists Get a Rich Boz
nanza, ana the Great Inventors Conf
dential Agents Pocket Fortune for
Themselves on the Work Of His Genius
NKw. YpRss Jan. 10. The story published
yesterday to The effect that Inventor Thomas
A. Edison had discharged his patent lawyer,
John G. Tom.nson. because the latter had
not obtained as much as he should for Mr.
Edison's photograph, has been fully verified
Mr.. Edison. il is said, has lost about S250,0
and principally through the negligence or
worse Of a man he had made wealthy.
Mr. Edison himself was exceedingly reti-
cent about the matter yesterday, although adj
hitting the truth Of the statement
very close friend of the inventor was
=aese communicative. This gentleman said
Mr. Tomlinson WAS struggling lawyer when
Mr.. Edison met him The professor threw
ali the business possible in his way. The ac-
oaintanoe 81 the two ripened into the warm
est friendship Eight years ago Mr.. Tonlin-
son had charge Of all Mr.. Edison's legal
affairs. Later on the young lawyer made
himself SO Indispensable to Mr.. Edison that
he made him attorney for the electric light
company
Tomlinsons revenue from the company be-
came soon 50 large that he hired nicely fur
nished Offices at 40 Wall street, and became,
through his ability, one Of the best known
patent lawyers In July last Mr.. Edison de-
sired 10 capitalize the patent Of his phono
graph His laboratory work kept him 50
occupied that be had little time TO devote to
business details Whether at the suggestion
OF Mr. Tornlinson or some one else does not
transpire, hut Mr. Edison engaged f. ].
Giluand, a practical electrician, at a salary
of 81 900 year, to help raise the money nee
essarv The agreement was that he
should receive 80 shares OF stock in the
new company and Tomlinson 800 shares.
Sill iland and Tomlinson worked hard TO Sc
cure the cash, and finally interested Jesse X.
Lippincott Of P.ttsburg in the scheme.
One day the two called upon Mr.. Edison
and informed him that they had been offered
500. 0OO for the invention. The professor
was not satisfied with this offer
He believed his contivance 20 be worth
more. On asking his agents II they could
secure no better terms they are said 70 have
assured han that $500 600 was the limit
''Ths Wizard. after much hesitation agreed
to these terms ICuiinson drew up a bin Of
sale, the cash was PAL and the valuable in
vention became Mr.. Lippincotts property.
The Pittsburg gentleman lost no time in
forming corporation. He interested c. A.
Cheever. the rubber dealer OF this city. and
Pennsylvania capitalists in the enterprise
and the stock went off like hot cakes Messis
Tomiinson and Gilliland being permitted to
retain the shares agreed upon az the outset
The North American Phonograph company
was incorporated and the stockholders we're
laughing in their sleeves at the ridiculously
low price at which they had purchased the
phonograph. when Professor Edison was
given a tip that not only astonished, but
finally grieved ard enraged him. 1t was that
Mr. Lippincott had actually paid $4,000 in
stead Of $500 900 to Messrs. Tomlinson and
Gilliland.
Immediately the inventor instituted an
investigation for the purpose of ascertaining
where the additional se50,00O had gone Co.
II took him not a great while TO discover that
Tomlnson had charged not less than S62, 500,
and some say $4,000, for the onerous task Of
drawing up the bin OF sale Whether Gill
land had pocketed the remainder Of the $3.50
900 or had divided it with Tomlinson the
reporters informant was unable 60 positively
state Professor Edison was loath 70 believe
that he could have been tricked by man
whom be had lifted from comparative OBJ
scurity and poverty to no inconsderable
fame and wealth. He summoned Tomlinson
TO his presence, and that gentleman indig-
nantly denied that he had in any way
wronged him the Wizard, nevertheless,
proceeded 70 sift the thing TO the bottom.
Further inquiry resulted in his gaining pos
session Of afiidavits, which he presented be-
fore the law committee OF the Edison com
pany This consists Of ex-Judge Noah Davis,
chairman. Edward H. johnson, president OF
the company; Charles Smithers and Mr..
Wright Of Drexel, Morgan & Co. Both Pro
fexsor Ellison and Mr. Tomlinson appeared
before the committee and told their stories
A member Of it is said TO have remarked
that sufficient evidence was dsduced 60 at
least prove romlinson guilty Of serious
brfach Of professional honor, in misrepresant-
ing a transaction to a client than which
offense none is regarded more base by the
members OF the bar.
Whatever may have been the character Of
the commuters report il apparently was not
complimentary 70 Mr.. Tomlinson, for three
weeks ago be was compelled TO sever his rela-
lions with the company. and with that an
Income variously estimated &C from So, OO0
to $4,000 q year.
Mr. Glihland Is no longer associated with
the Edison company either. With neither OF
them Is Mr.. Edison now on speaking terms
On the other hand il was asserted yesterday
that suit would be brought very soon to as
certain what right Messrs Tomlinson & Gill
land have TO the S250,0J0 they are declares
70 have clea ed by reason Of the phonagrap