New-York tribune., 1899-05-05
PLUMB SAID TO BE INSANE.
MIND AFFECTED BY BRooDTNG, HIS AT.
TORNEY DECLARES.
THE PRISONER HIMSELF DECLINES TO
TALK-MR. MAsrERToN's NEiGHBoRs
IN BRoNXvILLE SPEAK HIGHLY
OF HIM = THE INQUEST


ON WEDNESDAY.
Henry Thompson. counsel for j. Neaie Plumb.
who. after much premeditation and careful
preparation. killed Alexander Masterton. a re-
tired banker. on Wednesday. did what he could
yesterday to strengthen the theory that Plumb
had been driven insane by long broodlng over
his grievances. After conversng with the mur-
derer in his cell for time. Mr.. Thompson said
to the reporters: "Plumbs mind is undoubtedly
affected He constantly wandered from the sub
ject when talking with me. and gave other evi-
dences OF mental alteration. His mind has given
way under the strain to which II has been sub
jected. and don't wonder at IT,
Il should not have been surprised II he had
shot Masterton at any time during the ten years
previous to the decision Of the courts In his
favor and against the daughter. who. at Master
toms instigation sued her father for an account
ing That suit was started April 90 1883. the
day that she became OF age. Every time this
anniversary has approached Mr.. Plumb has
shown signs Of great mental disturbance. He
seemed half-frenzed at the thought that the
child Of his blood should have gone to his enemy
for advice. But the suit decided In his
favor. His accounts found to be all right
Then thought the danger was past. He had
other reasons for hating Masterton. II was no
who alienated the affections OF the other daugh-
ter and son. He broke up their home. when
Mr. Plumb objected TO the marriage OF his
daughter and Ramsey Mares. an English solic-
itor's clerk with an income OF $500 year. she
went to Masterton. knowing him TO be her
fathers bitter enemy. and II was at his instisa-
tion that suit brought.
"All reports regarding an estrangement be-
tween Plumb and his wife are wrong. Mrs.
Plumb. when she died in 1877 did not cut her
husband off, She left him 5000 as a token OF
her affection. but at Plumb's own request she
left him no more. as he feared that his fathers
creditors would try to hold him as n partner In
his fathers business In order TO seize such Of the
estate as might be left TO him. The 5000 which
she did bequeath to him he used in putting into
church on Long Island memorial window 10
his wife, Masterton's appointment guardian
Of the childrens interest had also been at
Plumb's request.
Il believe that since April 20 last the ami
versary Of the coming Of age OF his eldest daugh-
ter and the beginning OF the suit against him.
Mr. Plumb has been broodlng incessantly over
his troubles. and that while he was mentally ir-
responsible from worry the shooting occurred"
PLUMB DECLINES TO TALK
Plumb himself refused on the advice OF hts
counsel to say word TO reporters about the
J
seemed cool, seIf-possessed and perfectly ra-
tional. He slept soundly for ten hours on
Wednesday night in a cell on Marderers Row
in the Tombs. Plumb asked for and received all
the Wednesday evening papers after his arrival
at the Tombs, and read all they printed about
the murder At Q o'clock he went 20 bed and
slept soundly. When he arose he was invited TO
take some exercise, but he did not do so, pre-
ferring to remain in his cell.
His first caller. and the only one that he saw
was his counsel Mr.. Thompson. Plumb ala not
once leave his cell during the day. His meals
being sent in by a caterer. as he does not
like the prison fare
COULD NOT FoREsEE A MURDER
The prisoner is being carefully watched. as
some fear is felt that he may attempt to KIN
himself When being searched at the police
station sharp pair OF manicure scissors was
found in his possession, and he seemed pro-
voked when they were discovered. He asked
two or three times TO have them restored TO
him, but Captain Price would not let him have
them. hey could be used TO open a mans
veins very easily.
Some comment aroused by the fact that
the typewriter who copied Plumb's statements
one OF which headed Why !, J. Neale
Plumb, Shot Alexander Masterton," did not take
steps to prevent the murder At the Office OF z.
& L. Rosenleld. in the Empire Building where
the typewriting done Miss Rosenhed. one
ofth proprietors said yesterday that the longer
statement entitled The Masterton Conspiracy"
and containing forty pages, was prepared about
ten days ago. being copied from Piumbs own
manuscript The other statement prepared
subsequently. The titles Of the statements were
not typewriter. and so nothing was known OF
them by the Misses Rosenhed. Mr. Plumb him
self wrote In ink. on the cover OF the shorter
statement the words. why I. J. Neale Plumb.
Shot Alexander Masterton." and the part end
ing the statement. in which he says he was thu
chosen instrument in Gods hands 10 kill Mas
terton, also written in Ink. so that the type
writer's did not foresee a murder. Miss Rosen-
field said that she noticed the statement when
IL went out because or the strong language
used, but had idea OF its seriousness The
work done In the typewritng office is confiden-
tia and she. OF course. did not mention the
matter TO anybody.
She said that Plumb when he came TO the
Office to have his work done and later 10 pay
for IT, did not appear excited, and she did not
get the impression that he was insane. He ap-
peared to her just other business men.
The police Of the Nineteenth Precinct yester-
day sent to the Coroners Office the clothes which
Mr. Masterton wore when he was killed, as well
as the following property found in his pockets:
gold watch and chain and gold coin
charm two pairs OF eyeglasses in cases. match
box pocketknife. memorandum book. pocket
book containing 81 in cash. one 10-cent stamp
and some papers another pocketbook with "
cents In cash. a bunch OF keys. four collar but
TONS one shirt stud. one pair OF link Gun but.
tons wallet with $74 in cash. a receipt for
$40 80 and check on the National city Bank for
$50 check on the Lincoln National Bank for
$3.50 check for SO on the Second National Bank.
check on the Chemical Bank for Sll2 60, check
on the National Bank OF Orange County for SIo.
photograph OF a woman. two Communication tick
cts on the New-York Central road, seven brok-
ers statements three receipts from the Equitable
Iifa Assurance Society, one envelope containing
four 2-cent stamps the letter from j. n. Plumb
10 Alexander Masterton making an appoint
ment to meet him in the Burlington apartment
house and a lot Of newspaper clippings and
papers.
The photograph is the profile OF young and
good looking woman. II was taken by For