The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-05-06
KILLED HIS ENEMY.
James Nesie Plumb Takes the Life
of Alexander Mnsterton-Both
Prominent New Workers.

New York, May s.--Alexander Mas
terton, a director of the Farmers Loan
d. Trust company, and ~ years of age,
was shot and killed Wednesday after
noon by James Neale Plumb i'm the Bur
lington hotel on West Thirtieth street.
Masterton was shot five times and died
within an hour or two. The murder
was premeditated, as is evidenced by a
voluminous statement written i'm adj
vance by Plumb and given out after his
arrest. AT present the real motive for
the crime is unknown. Plumb, in his
statements issued ITO the Public" and
entitled why /, j. Neale Plumb, Shot
Alexander Masterton," declared that he
had been actuated to do the shooting
because of a systematic bounding Of
him by Masterton. Plumb declared
further that Masterton had not only
ruined him financially but had attempt
ed TO ALLEVIATE the affections OF his wife
and children and 10 cause his social
downfall.
Plumbs statements deal with Pc
riod of his career embracing the past 35
years, are rambling in many places and
conclude with the following:
mo man has a higher regard for human
life than / have. But the Just and righteous
punishment Of Alex Masterton is decreed
by an outraged God. and / am simply
the humble instrument In His hand, as He
has selected me as His chosen instrument
of wrathful vengeance. / have rid the
world OF a man who was not 1T 10 live, and
whose death "A thousand times over could
never atone for the monstrous wrongs done
me"
Masterton and Plumb met by agree
ment in the Burlington hotel at 1880
p. III. in the apartments occupied by
Manager Cole. They had been there
but a short time when five shots were
fired in rapid succession. Plumb then
came out and walked into the recep-
ton room, awaiting arrest The muir
derer was taken before Police Capt.
Price, of the Tenderloin precinct, of
whom he is an intimate friend. He was
later taken before a magistrate in the
Jefferson Market police court and held.
Nothing was brought out at the hear
Ing that could be accepted as "A reason
for the killing, beyond the statement
made by Plumb that Masterton had
bounded him for many years.
The trouble between Mr.. Plumb and
the dead man was over money and do
nestle affairs. # began in 1861, when
Mr.. Plumb became engaged to marry
Miss Sarah G. Ives, daughter Of Abra-
ham Ives, president OF the Manufacture
ers' and Merchants bank. Mr.. Master
ton. was then clerk in Mr.. Ives bank,
and according 10 Plumb tried to break
off his marriage TO Miss Ives, but with
out success. When Abraham Ives died
in 1870 he left an immense fortune, and
Mr. Masterton was one of the trustees
of his estate. When Mrs. Plumb died
in 1877 Mr.. Masterton was managing
trustee OF her estate. She left about
5000 900, provided literally for their
two daughters and one son. All of these
are now married. Since his wife's death
Mr.. Mastcrton and Mr.. Plumb have had
endless litigations over the estate of
the children. Mr.. Plumb asserts that
Masterton mismanaged the money in-
trusted TO him, charged exorbitant
fees. and otherwise abused his trust.
Mr.. Masterton charged that the father
misspent the income, and on one occa-
sion tried TO recover $4,000 from him.
This suit lasted seven years, and was
eventually decided in favor of Mr..
Plumb, although il cost the children b
fees nearly $4,000.
Alexander Masterton was a leading
resident OF Mount Vernon, where he oc-
cupied a handsome home with his wife
and two daughters, Mrs. G. u. Tibbals
and Mrs. w n. Ferris. He was former
" connected with the old Manufactur-
ers' and Merchants bank of New York
and later was interested in the Farm
ers' Loan d Trust company. He had the
management of many estates and was
interested heavily in Westchestcr real
estate. He had held "A number of pub
lie Offices He was n prominent mem
Der OF the masonic fraternity and was a
popular man in Mount Vernon.
j. Ncale Plumb at one time was very
wealthy, occupying q fine residence on
Fifth avenue and having n half-million-
dollar villa at Islip, l.. /. Ii is said by
those who are intimately acquainted
with Plumb that he lost most of his
fortune, although he had sufficient left
10 retire from business 20 years ago.
He also is said by those who know him
best TO Ice popular, easy-Qoing man.