The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-28

NEW YORK. Feb. 21.-Thc news that
Erastus Wiman had been arrested on
serious charge fell like a thunderbolt
on the ears Of the multitude of people
who heard the story tonight, and no one
was more surprised than Mr.. Wiman
himself.
Since severing his connection with the
r. G. Dun agency, Mr.. Wiman has occu-
pied a pleasantly furnished office III the
Field building at l Broadway. He was
busily engaged at his desk this after
noon when Sergts. Phil Reilly and Won
Cferichten walked in. They had bench
warrant for his arrest, which was al
ready prepared when the grand jury, an
hour or two earlier, had found two in
dictments against the eX-king of
Staten Island for forgery.
Detective Reilly approached Mr.. Wi
mans desk and said: You are under
arrest"
Wiman scarcely even glanced up.
turned very pale and mOtioned the de-
tectives not to alarm the clerks. This
was about 3 o'clock. Mr.. Wimau was
asked to accompany the detectives to the
district attorneys office. He put on his
coat without a word and went with
them.
No sooner were they beyond the ears
of the clerks than Mr.. Wiman anxiously
inquired the specific charges against him
and the nature of the punishment at
tached to each.
Don't let this be made public" he
said. What is the penalty for forgery
He was put in a cell in one of the regU-
lively refused to see newspaper men.
Gen. Tracy, his counsel, called at the
Tombs about o'clock and was i'm con-
sultation with his client for nearly an
hour Later in the evening Gen. Tracy.
when seen at his residence, said: L
haven't much TO say about Mr.. Wiman's
arrest. ] do not even know definitely
the complaint against him. and have de-
cided not TO begin Investigations until
tomorrow.
II want to see these charges that they
say are so numerous"
No Bail Until Friday.
When asked about the possibility of
Mr. Wiman securing bail, Mr.. Tracy
replied: "He will have to stay in the
tolnbs until Friday Tomorrow is a
holiday, and / don't think we can get
bail until next day. We will have it
Friday. though, and Mr. Wiman will be
released. That's ALL
One Of the charges against Wiman is
foI forging an Endorsement of +. w.
Bullinger to a check for s., 900, which was
drawn to Bullinger's order by r. G.. Dun
& Co. The other charge is for forging
the Endorsement Of Ogden Brewer to a
check also drawn by r. G. Dun & Co.
for $3.50. The checks were forged re-
spectively on Jan 20. 1893 and Feb. 6,
1893.
The first intimation of any charges
against Wiman was in the form of a
letter received at the district attorneys
office on the 18th inst. This letter as
given out is unsigned, but is said TO
have come from Mr.. Dun's attorney.
who is supposed to be ex-District Attor-
ney Nicoll.
The witnesses who went before the
grand jury today were r. H. Douglas.
e. W. Bullinger, Ogden Brewer and the
cashier of r. G.. Dun & Co. The counts
IN the indictments relate TO forgery and
the uttering Of forged checks, which
were drawn on the Second national bank
where Wiman had no account. The Of
Tense is punishable with not more than
ten years for each Of the indictments.
News Reaches His Family.
reaching the home of Mr.. Wiman, which
is situated at Tompkins-ave., or, as it is
better known, the Upper Terrace, St.
George, Staten island. When she heard
of the arrest Mrs. wiman, although
shocked, bore up with greater calmness
than was expected This was due TO her
implicit belief in the thorough honesty of
her husband and her confidence in his
ability 10 prove his innocence
Mr.. and Mrs. Wiman's married daugh-
ter, Mrs. Norman Walker, is also very
ill Harris Wiman, the second son, is
employed in the newspaper business, and
Frank, his younger brother, is in qhe
office OF Vermilye & Co., brokers in Wall
st. AS soon as word had been received
OF the arrest Mr.. Harris Wiman came
TO New York from Staten island and
went to the TOmbs, carrying a small
satchel with change Of linen for his
father. The night keeper Of the prison
received the satchel and consented to
take note from the young man to
Mr. Wiman- In this note young Mr.
Wiman asked his father if he
wished anything done and if he cared to
make any statements. In reply TO this
message Mr.. Wiman wrote TO his son
that he was both cheerful and well, that
he had committee no crime, that he had
no doubt Numbered and that he was will
ing TO stand the consequences. He added
ne Hdu dDcOlultlg refused 10 accept Dali
although offers had been made. by his
friends 10 get bOndsmen for him. His
note concluded with the statement that he
had an engagement to speak tomorrow
night in grammar school No. q, on
Forty-second-st., and, please God, he
would keep his enga cement. The young
man was not permitted to see his father
and had to be content with this cor
respondence. 1t may be that he wished
TO conceal from his family the despond-
ency he felt and to lead them to sup
pose that he was confident Of acquittal.
The subject Of his lecture at the gram
mar school Is the Great Northland."
1t Is one Of a series he has been deliver
ing in various grammar schools of the
city.
May BE n CIew.
Investigation In financial circles in this
city tonight by a representative Of the
Associated Press led TO the discovery of
what may be a clew to the present pros
ecution Of Mr.. Wiman. One Of the ques-
tfons sought 70 be solved tonight was
why a whole year should have been al
lowed to elapse Qt was in February. 1893,
that Mr.. Wiman severed his connection
with X. G.. Dun & Coz before the crime
alleged against him-if IL is a cTime-was
prosecuted. This inquiry created a good
deal Of interest.
One explanation advanced for the ar