The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-04

freedom. Tho object OF this abduction,
Plumb ciaima, was 10 forae the girl to
give up her father.
Plumb declares that wrongs that Mas
terton had done him no law could reach.
His words are: '~rhe man who brought
all this trouble In my declining years
no law can reach"
In addition to theaa ooneptrucies,
Plumb gocs Into lengthy details regard
ting the alleged efforts Of Mnsterton and
others to bring about q marriage be-
tween ono Of his daughters and q WORTH
less fortune-seeking Englishman. who
had made tho boast that he "eould win
the little American Miss.'' z
Plumb did not, however, add anything
to the statement which had been pre-
pared in advance regarding thp events
that toak place tust prior otho shoot
ing. He appeared cool Immediately ON
his arrest. but when at the police sta
ton word came thnt Masterton had
died, Plumb broke down and said: ut
had to be-"
An Angry Conversation.
4 chambermaid at the Burlington
who was the only one near Che room in
which the shooting occurred. told the
police that eho heard the men in angry
conversation Just before she heard tho
pistol shots. One OF the men, She said,
and she was positive It was not Master.
ton. said in loud, angry tone: II will
not be satisfied with that amount" Two
shots were fired in quick succession o
moment later and then three more.
Plumb came out of the room perfectly
collected and said to her. Il
There's man In trouble IN
there" .g-sg
He then went down stairs, and then
into the reception room, where later he
was arrested. sf
Alexander Masterton was leading
resident OF Mt. Vernon, where he oc-
eupied handsome home with his wife
and two daughters, Mrs. c. B. Tibbals
and Mrs. W. N. Ferris. He was for
merly connected with the old Manufac-
turers' and Merchants Bank OF New
Farmors' Loan and Trust Company.
He had the management of many es-
tates. and was interested heavily In
Westchester real estate. Ho had held
u number OF police Offices. He was
n prominent member OF the Masonic
fraternity. and was popular man in
Mt. Vernon.
]. Neale Plumb at ono time was very
wealthy, occupying g. fine residence on
Fifth avenue. and having a half million
dollar villa at Isiip, L. /. 1t Is saN by
those who are Intimately acquainted
with Plumb that ho lost most OF his
fortune although he had sufficient to
retire from business twenty years ago.
He Is also said by those who knew him
best to be popular, easy-go!ns man.
A number OF lawyers Interested In
the legal proceedings OF the Plumb
Masterton case were greatly surprised
to learn OF the ulurder. Lawyer Da-
vid Mcclure. who represented Master
ton In proceedings In which the two
men were involved. was greatly sur
prised to hear Of the shooting. which.
however. he did not wish to discuss. He
said. however. thnt he had always
found Plumb pleasant, agreeable and
easy to get along with.
j.. Henry Thompson, another lawyer
interested In the Plumb family litlga-
ton. sald:. l.4s#..lt
'YiGd the shooting occurred during
the first proceedings might not have
been 30 much surprised"
Mr.. Thompson admitted that Plumb
was very bitter over the court proceed
inBs. and believed that he was tho VIC
tim of conspiracy.