Passaic City record., 1901-10-19
REVEALS HIS LIFE SECRET
Millionaire Tells Of Early Disgrace to
Avoid Paying BlackmaI|.
hAD SERVED A TERM IN PRISON

R.F. welfe, of Columbus, Ohio Confesses
That He Was Once n Convict-says
That He Will Pay No More Money 70
Those who Have Been Bleeding Him
-His LAWYERS Statement-The ohense
Columbus, Ohio.-Harassed and ex-
asperated beyond the limit OF pa
tience by gang Of blackma1lers VINO
have threatened to blast his reputa-
tion by revealing disgraceful secret
of his early life, r. f. Wolfe, million
aire President of the National Shoe
Company, the Shoe Trust, has issued
a statement which has amazed the
community. Mr.. Wolfe is one OF the
best known and wealthiest citizens IN
the city. Socially and commercially
his character is above reproach.
However, of his own volition, he mas
admitted that he was once a convict;
that while in jail as result OF a hght
he attempted to escape, and IN SO
doing assaulted keeper. for Whlch ne
suffered term in States prison. All
this happened many years ago, When
Mr.. Wolfe was almost boy.
His early offenses We're known TO
only few, and by them he believed II
was forgotten, or at least forgiven.
but as he grew richer and his social
aspirations broadened. some who knew
his secret attempted to turn it to their
pecuniary advantage. They threatened
him with exposure, demanding large
sums for their silence. Mr.. Wolfe
realized that it would only be temper
ary, and that If he yielded to the first
demand it would be simply the first
step in the payment Of blackmail
levied regularly. He could afford to
spend half his fortune to maintain the
reputation he had established in the
community, but after consultation
with his attorney he determined to
thwart all further efforts of the black
maiisrs by frank statement.
e. N. Higgins, his legal adviser, has
issued the following card:
''At eighteen years of age R. F.
Wolfe, of this city, was sent to the
penitentiary of another State upon the
charge of assault with intent to kill.
When released he determined to over
ed the victims of the Penal Code, and
came to Columbus penniless. His sue
cess since Is matter of general
knowledge.
'The story of his early trouble was
known to few, some of whom, know
ing all the facts and circumstances,
gave him in the noblest way their
friendship and support. Others saw in
his necessity a means Of extortion and
oppression. AS Mr.. Wolfe's prosperi
ty has increased threats Of exposure
have multiplied, and have at last be-
come intolerable. Knowing all the
facts and as his attorney, 1 have ad.
vised him to make this statement to
the public. He knows that the world
exacts a further penalty from those it
has punished, but he authorizes this
statement, that he may be forever
free man."
Mr.. Wolfe's offense was committed
when he lived in Spencer. Ind. The
assault grew out of a quarrel with a
friend. He was sent to Jail and might
have been pardoned, If he had not
made the attempt to escape. When
he got out he went from Indiana to
Ohio, where he was not known, and
began life anew.
So long as he was struggling he was
safe, but after he began to pile up
wealth. the harpies appeared and tried
to play upon him.. Who they are has
not been revealed, but it is believed
that they are almost as we'll known in
Columbus as Mr.. Wolfe himself. His
attorneys statement has created a de-
cided sensation. .4...,