Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-04
HOMICIDE IN NEW YORK.
Prominent Financicr shot by James
Ncale Plumb.

NEW YORK, May 3.-Alexander Mos
terton, a director of the Farmers Loan
and Trust Company. Y years old, was shot
and killed this afternoon by James Neale
| Plumb. in the Burlington Hotel, on west
| Thirtieth street.
The murder was premeditated, as is
evidenced by vOluminous statement
| written in advance by Plumb and given
| out after his arrest.
AZ present the real motive for the crime
| is unknown. Plumb. in his statement
issued TO the public. and entitled "Why
| j. j. Ncale Plumb. shot Alexander Mas
! tertOn." declared that he had been ac-
tuated 10 do the shooting because Of a
systematic bounding OF him by Master
ton. Plumb declared further that Mas
terton had not only ruined him financially.
but had attempted TO ALLEVIATE the affec-
lions Of his wife and children, and to
cause his social downfall
STATEMENT FOR THE PRESS.
Plumb's statements. one Of which was
addressed 10 the Associated Press. deal
with period of his career embracing
the past thirty-fve years. are rambling
in many places, and conclude with the
following:
mo man has a higher regard for hui
man life than l have, but the just and
righteous punishment of Alexander Mas
tertOn 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 ven
geance. l have rid the world of a man
who was not fit 10 live, and whose death
a thousand times over could never atone
for the monstrous wrongs done me-"
THEY MET BY AGREEMENT.
Masterton and Plumb met by agreement
In the Burlington Hotel at ! 80 p. NJ, i'm
the apartments occupied by Manager Cole.
They had been there but a short time
when five shots were fired in rapid sue
cession. Plumb then came out OF the
apartments and walked into the recep-
ion-rOom, where he was arrested.
He was later given a hearing but no
thing was brought out that could be ac-
cepted as a reason for the killing, be-
yond the statement made by Plumb that
Masterton had bounded him for many
years.
PLUMB'S ALLEGED MOTIVE.
In his statement Plumb writes as fol-
lows
THE reason for taking this serious
step was that for upwards of thirty-five
years. commencing as far back as 1862
at the time of my marriage engagement.
this man has followed me like a sleuth-
hound from that time TO thls and yet |
was never able 10 discover the cause or
motive Of his vindictive animosity to-
ward me. as when he commenced to at
tack me had never seen the man or ever
heard of him.
Plumb declares that the wrongs which
Masterton had done him no law could
reach.
STORY OF THE SHOOTING.
a chambermaid at the Burlington. who
was the only one near the room in which
the shooting occurred. told the police that
she heard the men in angry controversy
Just before she heard the pistol-shots
one of the men, she said and she was
positive that it was not Masterton, said.
In loud, angry tone: 81 will not be sat
isfed with that amount" Two shots were
fired I'm quick succession moment later.
and then three more. Plumb came out of
the room. perfectly collected and said to
her: There's a man in trouble in there"
lie then went downstairs and into the
reception-room, where he was arrested.
MASTERTON POPULAR,
Alexander Masterton was a leading
resident of Mount Vernon, where he oc-
cupied a handsome home, with his wife
and two daughters. Mrs. c. b. Tibbals
and Mrs. W. y. Ferris. He was for
merry connected with the old Manufac-
turers' and Merchants Bank, of New
York, and later was interested in the
Farmers Loan and Trust Company. He
had the management of many estates,
and was interested heavily in Westches-
ter real estate He had held a number
of public offices. He was a prominent
member OF the Masonic fraternity, and
was popular man in Mount Vernon.
PLUMB ONCE RICH.
J. Neale Plumb at one time was very
wealthy, occupying a fine residence on
Fifth avenue, and having a half-milion-
dollar villa at lslip. L. /. 1t is said
by those who are intimately acquainted
with Plumb that he lost most of his for
tune. although he had sufficient TO retire
from business twenty years ago. He
also is said by those who know him best
to be "A popular. easy-going man.