The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-23
MR.. WIMAN Will NOT TALK.
The Staten Island Millionaire Refuses
to Be interviewed in
the Tombs.

New YORK, Fob. 90. -Erastus Wiman
stsadfastly declines to receive visitors
since his incarceration in the Tombs,
with the exception Of his lawyers and
members OF his family. Warden Fal.
Ion says that Mr.. Wiman, under the
circumstances, does not appear unduly
depressed, and seems TO take matters
easy. After the first great surprise at
his arrest he seemed to have summoned
much courage, and does not betray any
unusual amount of anxiety.
In response to note requesting An
interview. Mr.. Wiman sent out the
following written statement: Would
by very glad to do 80, but under the
advice of General Tracy will make
no statement till my turn comes. Am
sorry to deny anything to newspaper
man. but must adhere to that deterni- -
nation for the present
In response to inquiries sent in by
friends this morning, Mr.. Wiman in
variably returned word that he was
comfortable. Same of Mr. Wiman s
friends maintain today that he would
not accept bail, if it should be pro
cured. They think that Mr.. Wiman's
speculations in Staten Island real es.
tate. which has naturally deprecated
in value, involved him to great ex.
tent, and that then, driven to despera-
tion, he did wrong.
Erastus Wiman has been conspicuous
in business circles in the United States
since 1865. and of recent years has also
been before the public constantly as a
philanthtoDist ami rs writer on socio.
logical questions He is u foreigner by
accident of birth. His parents were
both citizens OF the United States. He
WAS born in Churchville, near Toronto,
in 1888 His father was a poor me-
chsnic. Wiman began earning his living
early AZ a newsbov, and between times
he picked up some education at public
schools. When 10 he got job i'll the
Toronto Globe as roller boy and fin
ally got to be a printer. He drifted
from typesetting into writing on the
markets and finance for the Toronto
Globe. His fame as n marketman spread
so that when r. G. Dun & Co. wanted
to start a branch of their commercial
agency in Toronto, in 1861, the agency
was offered to Mr. Wimuu, and he &C
cepted it, Four years later he came to
the New York Office. He insisted on
the firm branching ont its business,
and carried out this policy until r. G..
Dun 81 Co. instead of having sixteen
agencies had 1916.
Soon after he came to New York he
became interested in the development
of Staten island. He invested all the
money he could risk in property there,
and devoted the greater part Of his
time to improving it, He got control
Of the Staten Island Rapid Transit
railroad, and of the ferry to Staten
Island. and managed them so as to de.
velop both shores of the island. 1t was
through his efforts in later years that
the bridge over the Kill Won Kull
was built aud the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad got an eastern outlet to New
York city There has been practically
no great improvement on Staten Island
since the day Mr. Wiman went there
that he was not interested in, directly
or indirectly.
Two years ago he was supposed tC
be very rich man. His fortune was
estimated to be- not less than SO, 600, 600
and some placed it at $5 600, 900.
AS a public speaker and rs writer
Mr.. Wiman has been most noted for
his advocacy Of commercial union he.
tween this country and Canada. He
has devoted u great deal of time and
money in helping along the growing
sentiment of this annexation. Mr..
Wiman has been prolific writer for
the magazines aud newspapers He
wrote book addressed to young men
on the way to achieve business sue
cess. 1t was story Of how he had
succeeded.