The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-05
Sujt Of Llfiend Against the Planters
National Bank.
WITNESSED THE WRONG SIGNATURE.
,1,.. Alfriend Testifies That She Did Not Give
Her stepson the Right to Take
$500 Worth of Securities.

Mr. Edward NJ. Alfriend. formerly of Rich
mond. but now residing in New York.
The evidence in the case shows that during
the months of May, June and July, 1889, Ed
ward NJ. Alfriend was conducting an insur-
ance business in Richmand under the firm
name of I. VI. Alfriend q Son T. NJ. Alfriend
being his deceased father.
During this time he had discovered at the
Planters National Bank a number of notes.
and as collateral rendered fifteen shares OF
stock of the National Bank of Virginia. thirty
nine shares of stock of the Virginia State In
surance Compan5 and fifteen shares OF stock
of the Union Bank of Richmond. the stock
amounting to the aggregate value OF about
90 100.
With these certificates of stock were powers
of attorney from Mrs. Sarah E. Alfriend. wit
messed by John d. Newman.
The collateral was accepted by Mr.. Mann
s. Quarles, cashier OF the bank, and the notes
discounted.
MOVED TO RAILWAY.
Just about this time Mrs. Alfriend moved
TO Railway, n. j., and few days later her
sister. Miss Ayres. came to Richmonc
Between the time of Miss Ayers arrival IN
this city and Mrs Alfriends departure the
latter's niece. who had accompanied Mrs
Alfriend 10 Railway, died very suddenly.
Mrs. Alfriend did not wish, under the cir
cumstances, at that time to return to Rich
mond, hence the reason for sending Miss
Ayers.
The latter came here TO get the stock
referred to above and other articles from Mrs.
Alfriend's residence on north Twelfth street.
The stock had been left by Mrs. Alfriend in q
wardrobe drawer enclosed in an envelope. and
when Miss Ayers returned 10 Railway Mrs.
Alfriend asked about the stock.
Miss Ayers replied that she had not toundlt,
btrt only an pnVplODa IN the drawer which
contained nothing.
Mrs. Alfriend then wrote to Richmond and
ordered they be advertised as lost and giving
notice to the two banks and the insurance
company that the certificates had been lost
and that she would apply for renewal OF
them.
Mr.. QUARLEs HELD THEM.
Mr.. Ouarles of the Planters Bank (the
bank that held the certificates given as col
lateral by Mr. Afriend), went TO the Union
Bank and National Bank of Virginia and TO
the Virginia State Insurance Company and
informed them that he held the certificates
advertised as lost as collateral for the loans
made to Edward NJ Alfriend, and that the
certificates bore the power of attorney OF
Sarah Alfriend to Edward NJ. Alfriend. and
that the transfer of power was witnessed by
John ID. Newman.
Mr.. Alfriend was then communicated with,
and he teegraphed Mr.. Quarles that he
would have mailed at once a letter from Mrs.
Alfriend which would satisfactorily explain
the matter.
In few days a letter was received from
Mrs Alfriend to Mr.. Quarles which reads as
follows:
Il write to state that gave Mr.. Edward
NJ Alfrend the stocks owned by me and
standing in my name that he could borrow
money on them for his use. and hereby re-
call my instructions TO Mr.. ID. Baker, Jr., IN
regard to getting new scrip. the original, not
being lost but in your possession. L had Tor
gotten entirely giving them to him.
oyERPEBsUADED.
Mr.. Baker referred 10 above is the man
whom Mrs Alfrend wrote to in Richmond
asking that they be advertised az lost.
Mrs Alfrend. while on the stand Yesterday,
was asked, why did you write to the bank
that you had given the stock to +. NJ. Al
frlend.when now you are denying it,"
Mrs. Alfrend: He overpersuaded me; he
insisted upon it that had. | knew had not,
and told him | could not remember ii. He
said did, and being oyerinhuenced copied
the letter reproduced abOve) just as he had
written it. / did not mention the different
stocks. but with that exception l copied the
original"
Colonel Gordon: AT the time you wrote
that letter stating you had given them to him
did you know that statement was not true!"
Mrs. Alfriend: Il had forgotten. He per-
] wrote it by being persuaded by him, think
ing such thing might have been, although
could not recall a word of It,"
The evidence further shows that when Mr..
Alfriend told Mrs. Alfriend that he had used
the stock for collateral she expressed consld-
cradle surprise and denied ever having given
the stock 10 him.
In court yesterday she defined having ever
given Mr.. Alfriend any powers of attorney
or signed any blank powers OF attorney on
the stock.
1t is evident that the stock was in the
possession of the bank before she was ac-
quainted by Miss Ayers that the stock was
not in the wardrobe drawer.
HIS DEPOSITION.
Mr.. E. NJ. Alfrends deposition taken in
New York states: Il am dramatist, reside
in New York. and in May, 1885, became very
much pressed Tor money.
MY stepmother. Mrs. Sarah i. Alfriend,
had been in the habit of aiding me financially,
loaning me money and indorsing for me.
Knowing that she possessed some securities
that had been left By my father | one morn
ing at breakfast asked her 10 loan Inc those
securities 10 raise money upon.
She refused at first. but finally consented
10 lend them TO me, and went out Of the room
and got them.
Il told her it would be necessary in order
for me TO negotiate a loan on the stock that
she should sign the power of attorney to me.
IL had obtained from Mr.. Quarles, of the
Planters Bank, two blank powers of attorney.
She signed one blank power of attorney on the
back of the certificates of the National Bank
of Virginia and two blank powers Of attor-
ney."
MRS. ALFRIESD's DENIAL.
This evidence was denied by Mrs. Alfriend
Yesterday and she further stated as regards
the powers of attorney that she had never
done any such thing n her life.
The evidence yesterday also showed that
Mr.. John ID. Newman did not witness Mrs.
Alfriend as to the signing Of the powers of
attorney
The certificates were brought TO Mr.. Al
friends office by the latter, and Newman be-
in familiar with Mrs. Alfriend's hand
writing then witnessed it. AS Mrs Alfriend
denies having signed the certificates New
man evidently Witnessed the handwriting of
another.
After brief argument yesterday the case
was submitted 10 the jury, and IN a few mo-
ments they brought in verdict in favor Of
Mrs Alfriend.
Colonel w. w. Gordon appeared as counsel
for the bank and Messrs. Staples and Mum
ford were counsel for Mrs. Alfriend.
Mr.. Mann 5. Quarles, cashier of the Plan
tiers bank. when asked by a TINES man yes
terday as TO whether there would be any
criminal prosecution against Mr.. Alfriend or
what steps he would take 70 recover the
money, replied that he was unable TO say at
49, i l..