The morning call., 1894-02-24
HAD SPARED THE FAMILY.
The Accused Gave Suggestions
to the Circulars Author.
SILENCE OF THE FINANCIER.
He Says That He Applied for Bail
Because His Eldest Son
Is Dying.

PASADENA, Feb. 23.-R. G. Dun, presi-
dent of the Mercantile Agency Associa-
tion, arrived in Pasadena about week
ago. and is now Quartered at Rose cottage,
Raymond Hotel, with his wife. When
questioned to-day by an Associated Press
reporter in regard to the arrest of Erastus
Wiman, he stated that as the Associated
Press report sent out from New York was
so entirely correct it left him nothing TO
say.
AS he did not deem it necessary to enter
into further particulars the report re-
ferred TO was verified in every particular.
"Wiman's populations were known"
Mr.. Dun said, 'before his connection
with the Mercantile Agency was severed
and were the cause of such actiQn on the
part of the agency officials" This was in
February. 1898.
When questioned as to why action in the
case had been so long delayed. Mr.. Dun
said it was largely on account of Wiman's
wife and relatives.
With reference TO the circular published
and industriously circulated. about
month ago, by some person unknown, in
which were revealed many hitherto very
dimly understood facts in regard to mer-
camille agencies and their methods OF
doing business. Mr.. Dun said he did not
attribute its authorship to Wiman nor did il
have the slightest bearing on pushing the
the case against him. He, however.
opined that Wiman had given the author
some valuable suggestions.
'The matter" said Mr.. Dun, "was put
into the hands Of our attorney year ago,
as before stated. and action was delayed
chiefly on account of Wiman's family. His
wrongdoings, however, became so gen.
eTai and of such enormity that we deemed
it our duty TO the public, as we'll as our
selves. 10 bring action against him in the
criminal courts. When the case comes to
trial all the charges will be fully substan-
tiated."
NEW YORK. Feb. 22.-In response to
note sent in by reporter this morning
Ersstus Wiman, from his cell in the
Tomb bs, wrote the following: 81 did not
intend TO ask for bail. but the dying con-
dition OF my eldest son, the dreadful sor-
row that overshadows his mother and
sweet wife surely demand my presence
beside them. if l can get friend to 60 on
my bond. / am in communication with a
gentleman and hope to be able to go to
Staten Island to-day. As 10 the rest can
say nothing"
The last sentence was In answer to :he
query as to his reported intention to plead
guilty. His son, w. ID. Wiman, is lying at
the point of death at New Brighton, Staten
Island, Of pneumonia and does not know
of his fathers arrest.
Erastus Wiman is still in the Tombs
prison despite the earnest endeavors of
many prominent gentlemen who worked
hard to-day to procure the S23, 900 bail re-
auired by the authorities. j. Frank En-
mons, president of the Staten Island
Rapid Transit COMPANY, accom- panied by
81. l.. Horton of Ii. L.. Horton tS Co.,
bankers, called tonight at the District
Attorneys Office to 20 on the bond. Dis
trict Attorney Fellows was not downtown
to-day and Assistant District Attorney Y.
NJ. Davis represented him. 1t is stated
that New York real estate was offered as
security, but as ii was only valued at
$4S.000 Davis did not like to accept il in
the absence of Colonel Fellows. Emmons
and Horton, accom- panied by Major Bart
lett Of Staten Island. left the courthouse
saying the necessary bond would be filed
Tomorrow