New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-14
EDWARD WEMPLE'S DISGRACE
THE EX-CONTROLLER ARRESTED FUN
ARSON.
ACCUSED OF TRYING TO BURN DOWN i'-
HOUSE OF 4 NEIGnBoR At FULTONvIILE-
SUSPECTED or OTHER sIMI-
LAR CRIMES.

Amsterdam. n Y. Nov. 13.-Ex-State Con-
troer Edward Wemple was arrested a' "
tonville this morning. on the charge OF set''ie
fire 10 the dwelling OF Herbert II. ro''""'
on Sunday evening. A basket filed with sh"
ings and newspapers, soaked with Kerosene o'
was placed against door in the rear oi 'i'e
house. The flames were discovered by l.. v
Peck, the cashier Of the Fultonville Bank anu
We're extngushed in time to save the HOUSE
The arrest OF Mr.. Wemple created somethiHs
Of sensation in this city and throughout lne
Mohawk Valley. where he is so well known MS
arrest. however. had been expected. Some'hiiis
like six weeks ago the Wemple Foundry at
Futonville in which the ex-Controller h"u
been interested since boyhood, was sold al AS
sgnees sale. About the time a transfer OF the
property to be made the foundry was
found to be on fire. and before the local hre-
men could do any effective work the building
was consumed. The fact that the ex-Controler
had said that II William h. Wemples Sons
could not retain possession Of the property no
one else would led to suspicion being centred
on him. There were several circumstances that
tended to strengthen the belief that Wemple
caused the fire. ii having caught in portion
Of the building where no fire had been used, and
he having been seen in the building shortly be-
committee was organized and held frequent
meetings. called witnesses and endeavored to
get at every fact relating 10 the case.
Sunday night after the attempt was made TO
burn the house Of Mr. Fonda. the basket and con-
tents were taken in charge by he village authort-
ties. Wempe was suspected Of being the cause
of this incendiary attempt, though reason for
desiring To destroy the property OF his neighbor
can be assigned. \ detective put on the case.
He gained admittance to the cellar OF Wemple's
house and there found not only such klndling
wood as the basket contained. but found that
pieces that had been cut or split from the wood
were in the basket.
When this strong circumstantia evidence Of
Wemples guilt came TO the attention Of the in
vestigating committee his arrest was immedi ately
resolved upon. AM ii followed this morning He
was arraigned before Justice Of the Peace. who
held him to bail in the sum Of $4,000. his son~n-
law. A. Broom. "A manufacturer Of Fultonville.
and ex-Depuy Controller Westbrook Of this city.
going on his bond. Through the Dissatisfaction
neys Office II is learned that proof of another In
cendiary attempt by the eX-Controler is forth
coming. Charitably inclined acquaintances as
cribe his conduct 10 a disOrdered brain. and yet
nothing can be discovered in his conversation or
his home life to Justify this claim. His wife and
two daughters keenly feel the disgrace into which
his conduct has precipltated them.
Mr.. Wempe began his political career a
Supervisor Of the Town Of Glen. In which Fulton
VILE is located He was then elected 10 the AS
sembly then a Representative in Congress.
which was followed by term i'm the State Sem
ate. Before being elected To the Office Of Com
trOler and then reelected. he received a hand
some complimentary vote in the Saratoga Demo-
cratic Convention for Governor He never was n
man of large means. but had "A competence. which.
added To a snug fortune possessed by his wife.
placed him in fair financial circumstances. When
he entered Congress his habits became dissipa I'D
his fortune has since fitted away ami to-day he
stands object subject for the sympathy OF
his friends. II has spent large sums Of money
in politics. He took the Keeiey but there
no improvement In his Incorporate habits
= haI IA -
his father he became Of the proprietOrs of the
Wemple foundry n: FultOnville He belongs 10
one Of the noted families Of the Mohawk Valley.
Wemple one of the State officers of 1891 under
contempt Of court for refusing To obey the man
date Of the Supreme Court in regard to counting
the returns from Dutchess County