Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-07-20


". Meyer, the alleged wholesale posoner,
remains In his cell at police headquarters,
awaiting the errival of the officers from
New York and the issue of the papers sur
rendering him to the Empire State authori-
lies. He maintains stoid silence regarding
himself but denied having lived in New
York, or having lived under the various
aliases claimed for him.
He was positively identified this morning,
however, by ID. Robertson, assistant general
superintendent of Pinkerton's National De
tective Agency OF Chicago. The doctor, how
Rver, strenuously denied ever having seen
Robertson before.
Mrs. Nicer, who was taken to Harper's
hospital late Wednesday night, gave birth
to q son last night. She will remain at the
hospital under guard until she RECEIVERS suf-
Hcienty to be taken to New York.
story of Meyers Career.
The story of the fearful crimes with
which Meyer is charged sounds like ro-
mnnce. If the charges against him nre
true, he is fsnd, and his skill in the CON
coction of n strange poison has seldom, IT
ever been surpassed. The startling nara
tive, as told by detective Julian, is sub
stautiully as follows:
t'Meyer is n native OF Minden, Prussia.
lie came to this country when quite youug,
being now only 80 years OF age, and settled
Ia Chicago.
lie was already married., and his wife
died. soon latter he began the practice of
medicine, under whit were regarded
suspicious circumstances. 1t was believed
that sue had been poisoned. Then followed
the death OF wealthy north side grocer
named Goldermsn, and Meyer was tried
tbs charge of poisoning him.
The charge YVES not proven and Meyer
i,,l r,l. Lar ,a,,1,
widow She was worth about 49,, 900.
Their welded life had not continued long
before Meyer was again arrested the
charge of poisoning his wifes son. He
again got off on some legal technica|ity.
Then his wife discovered that her own con-
sutution was slowly being wrecked in some
mysterious manner. This continued until
she became hopeless invalid. She finally
left Meyer md procured divorce, always
asserting that he had tried to slowly poison
ker.
Begins Uis InSuranco Racket.
In 1885 Meyer married the girl who
ILered his last arrest. She Miss
liresscn, and her father was a thrifty Chi
cago merchant who had accumulated con-
siderable property. The old man soon dis
covered that his name had been forged to an
insurance policy in the Germsnia company
for large amount.
Not being quite ready 10 die for tho &C.
,ommodaton OF Meyer, he swore out
warrant for hi, arrest. Meyer went to
Denver, but was brought back, tried and
again acquitted.
While in prison at Chicago awaiting trial
ne formed the acquaintance OF "A young
man named Ludwig Brandt, son OF u gem
tral in the Norwegian army, who led fast
life and also got into trouble for forgery.
When Meyer again resumed his practice ne
employed Brandt as col ,ector.
In August, 1891, tho life OF Brandt was
insured in four companies for an aggre-
gete of $500. Tue name used was Gustav
Maria Joseph Baum. Among toe compa-
MES was the New York Mutual Life, the
policy in which was for $500 A month
later Meyer and his wife vent to Europe,
returning 10 Chicago tho following Deem
ber
In February, 1892, the wife Of Meyer
was married to Brandt, under the name OF
Emeline Rother, he using the alias Baum.
Brandt then went to the insurance compa-
MES and had the policies transferred to his
wife.
The Next Scene of tho Drama
occurred In New York. Brandt and Mrs.
Meyer appeared there Mr. and Mrs.
Baum, while Meyer figured as William
Reuter-, boarder in the family. The
scheme which had been planned for the pur-
pose for swndIing the insurance companies
seems to have been for Brandt to feign ia
tai illness, pretend to die and then disap-
pear, while Meyer and his wife would sub
stitute some other body for his, secure the
insurance money and follow at their leisure
The death Of Brandt, however, turned out
TO be genuine. He WAS taken sick March B,
1899, and DIR. Minden, a reputable New
York physician, was called to attend him.
The symptoms were diagnosed as dysentsry
md Brandt grew rapidly worse, and died on
March 80 Before the funeral DR.. Meyer
and wife-the latter still figuring as Baum's
widow-colected $4,000 from the Washing
ton Life Insurance company and $1,000 from
tho New York Life.
The Mutual Life, however, suspected that
all was not right, and telsgraphed the Pink
erton detective agency at Chicago This
led to an investigation. When Meyer and
his wife learned that an investigation had
been set on foot they hurredly left New
York.
This Confirmed the Suspicions
One of the managers Of the Mutual Life
went to Chicago, where he found Meyer s
picture in the rogues' gallery. he at once
recognized him as the William Reuter- who
appeared in New York. He also discovered
that Meyer had returned TO Chicago on May
], 1892, cleaned out his office and disap-
peared.
Six weeks ago Detective Julian, armed
with complete evidence of Meyers guilt,
started on search to discover his whore
ebouts. Several weeks were spent in Chi
cGgo, after which he went to Toledo. Here
Meyer was identified is n man who had re-
sided there under the name of Hugo Weiter.
Meyer appeared in Toledo in June, 1892
Ho uai q dOmhstic nama1 Mary Naisa
and tried to insure her in the Mutual Life
as Mrs. Weiter. The effort was unsucoess-
full, and Mrs. Meyer then brought the girl
to this city, where her life was insured in
the Equitable Life for $1,000.
The Meyers then went to South Bend,
Ind The girl accompanied them. There
the doctor started bucket shop. lie took
in partner and tried to work a swindle by
having the latter skip out, 80 that Meyer