New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-03
p. Ii. SUMNER ARRESTED.
THE EDGAR MYSTERY CONES Up AGAIN:
DEAD MANS NAME-ACCCSED OF A SCHEME
TO ORTAIN 4 EORTLNE BY ERArp.

DEAD MAN NAME-ACAl SfD OF A SCHEME
TO OBTAIN \ FORTUNE BY FRAUD.
Perrin H. sumner the real estate broker at
No. l0s Broadway, who recently became notori-
Gus in connection with the mysterious death of
an unknown man in the Getty House al lonkers,
was locked mp at Police Headquarters Last even.
inS On charge of forgery. lie went 10 Nonkers
and identified the body of n man who was b"-
lcVcd to have committed suicide in the Getty
House, as The body If his former friend. James
H. Edgar. an Engllshman who was said TO have
lcs' money in speculation NJ Wall Street bucket
shops. lie paid for the burial OF the supposed
Edears body but the police suspected foul play
and caused the body 20 be dug mp again and
photographed. Then Sumner said he had been
mistaken in his Identification. and declared that
the body was not that of his friend Edgar. Soon
he said lie had received letters from Edgar. who
iii in this city. Ills statements became
conflicting that the police inclined TO be-
licye that he never had known man named
Edgar.
Sumner previously had been known an al
legged swindler and had been arrested on a charge
ck-st.. ont of g, 900
In the li;lit OF the alleged conduct which led
10 Summers arrest yesterday interest in the mys.
~
is charged that sumner has expected To get con-
troll Of property belonging 10 the unknown Edgar
in England \ few weeks ago. it is said, Sumner
went 10 see f. y. Turner. a lawyer. at
No ~ Broadway whom he bad known
some time, and unfoldcd to him part of new
chapter in the Edgar mystery. sumner said that
Edgar who really was dead, had inherited prop
crty in England amounting TO about 100000.
Edgar could not Get possession of the property IN
his lifetime because he was in disgrace with his
family and an ontcast, but he was the oldest son
and had a claim which conld not he disputed by
other heirs. Sumner said he wished 10 get help N
the preparation of bogus power OF attorney and
a will in his favor purpor'ng TO have been cN-
ecutcd by James H. Edgar year ago. With
such papers in his possession, Sumner said, he
could begin a suit for the recovery of the prop
crty in ENGLAND. He urged Mr.. Turner 10 pre-
pare the forced documents and offered him share
Of the money which might he obtained If the pan
succeeded.
Mr. Turner listened to Summers talk and prom
ised 10 think il over lie made mp his mind 10
expose the scheme. and in order 10 help on such
a result he consulted George Il. Phoebus. n news-
parer reporter and aftcrward introduced him 10
Sumner as notary pullic who conld assist hlm
in the preparation of tie papers. sumner had
long talk with Mr. Turner and the reporter In the
lawyers office on November l., and he is alleged
10 have offered 10 PhoebGs n share Of the S3oo,ooo
amounting TO 10 pcr cent If his plans met with
success. n VS. necessary AZ first sumner sild,
20 get the power of attorney. Sumner WAS Will
ina 10 sin Ed.ar's name 70 tho document In his
own favor if PhoebUs would append to II
the necessary jurat and make the date
some time in 1859. Then AIr. Turner could
prepare the papers in suit Cor the recovery OF
Fdqar's fortune in England and could also draw
up a will. dated a year back. to which Edgars
name could be signed Sumner was explicit
that both the will and the power of attorney
must he drawn in his own favor, and be legally
attcsted. the knowledge of Lis guilt being full
protection for the interests of his coniedcrates.
rh6cbns found an excuse for refusing 10 90 on
with the actual preparation Of W forged papers,
declaring that his certificate as a notary was
not issued at a time which would fit the datfs.
He and Mr. Turner talked Of finding another
man 10 do The work; They delayed the AFFAIR
in order 10 qat sumner 70 commit himself further
There was talk that Ph9ebus might 90 before
n notary. and representing himself 10 be Edgar.
sign Edgar's name 10 power of attorney III
Summers favor. Mr.. Turner and the reporters
made no effort to find a notary for such a pur-
pose of course. and l. Is said that Sumner NJ
lcngth became tired Of waiting and declared tnas
no would furnish the power Of attorney wlthOnt
their aid
Yesterday the lawyer and the reporter went 10
g, INSPECTOR nyrncs and showed an alleged
fraudulent power of attorney. which they said
Sumner had given to the lawyer. The Lame
of Td!ar was signed TO the document
and IL had been sworn TO, apparently. before
Jeremiah W. Thompson. a notary at No. 80
Broadway The power of attorney WAS in sum
rcr', favor. and the notary had certified that
Edgar had appeared personally bcior" Inn.
1hr document was dated few days ago.
Inspector Byrrcs ~'nt tie paper and the witnesses
before Police Justice White. who issued a war.
rant Ter the arrest of sumner on the charge Of
f,~ncry and also "a subpoena for Thompson 10
appcar in the IomhS Police Court to-day sum
mr. was arrested in his Office in Broadway late
in the afternoon. lie said he lived at No. Az
tanned 10 defend him. He was locked up ~
Police Headquarters without making any state
rcn'. Al. A.
man who died ~ Tire Getty House III lonkers
probably was not Edgar. buI Boston man. and
that man probably had committed suicide. lie
thought however. that Edgar had disappeared or
had dcd and that SIMMER intended 10 make uss
of the Nonker> suicide as proof OF EdGaEs
death. The warrant on the charge OF forgery was
, surpri;, 10 Inspector Byrncs. who thoughs
that Sumner might be accused of the crime of
Of perjury on the statements made
py Mr. Turner and the reporter: Justice White
lLonght best 10 accuse Sumner OF forgery. but. as
Edgar cannot be produced aud may he dead. IL
MAY be impossible to prove the forgery of his
name
Francis : Turner could not he found ycster-
day When a Tribune reporter called AT his
office No. A. Broadway in the afternoon. ne was
NOT there The reporter went - his home. at
No. 3j6 South Broad-s.. Elizabeth, y. j; lie
was not there. and his family said he had left
word in the morning that he would probably ne
away all nixht. and in ease he did return would
not hp back until late hour. The family said
he had never mentioned the Sumner case at home,
and they profcsspd know nothing about II.
They could give no idea whore Mr.. Turner was
likely 10 he found. The lawyers Office was
visited several times in the evening. but az late
honr he had not Yet returned there.
cHiRGrD WITN ATTENPTED Jury BRIBlN0.