The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-09
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William 3. Ellis, once a wealthy to-
bacco dealer in the South, and at present
connected with the Nutshell Publishing
Company of No IS Fifth Avenue, was
yesterday committed by Magistrate Pool
in the Centre Street Police Court to Belle
vue Hospital for examination as to his
sanity.
Mr.. Ellis ad written letters to Colonel
F. H. Fries, a financier and railroad
magnate of North Carolina, threatening
to kill him unless he settled an imagin
ary claim for $3.50 coo. Colonel Fries's
lawyer kept Ellis engaged in correspond
ence until il became evident that tho
latter would soon start for the South
with revolver and then Lawyer j. Z.
Buxton came to New York and after con-
sultaton with Osborne & Hess Vf No.
27 William street, arranged an examina
tion of Ellis by an alienist and his sub
sequent arrest and committal.
When arraignel before Magistrate Pool
yesterday Ellis declared that Rev. ID.
Parkhurst would vouch for his sanity and
that he wanted to be tried according to
the provisions of the Geneva Convention.
DR.. e. c. Dent, superintendent of the
Manhattan State Hospital on Ward
Hand. had testified to Ellis condition and
copies Of te titles alleged to have been
sent by Ellis were procured.
If you are not insane" said Magis-
trate Pool, you are a very dangerous
character and ought to be prosecuted for
sending threatning letters. | shall show
a little leniency in your case, however,
and commit you to Bellevue for examina-
ton"
He added that If Ellis were declared
sane former District Attorney Osborne
Of Osborne & Hess, would probably prose-
cute him for sending the letters.
Ellis is fine looking man of about
forty-fve Up to few years ago he was
a tobacco grower at Winston Salem n.
c., where his wife and son still live.
Business reverses eliminated with the
destruction of his warehouse by fire and
his fortune Of S150,000 was practically
wiped out.
Then Ellis came to New York For a
time he and his wife lived at the Hotel
Empire. He started a wholesale tobacco
business here, but the Tobacco Trust it
is said, killed it.
In February last Ellis began to write
letters to Colonel Fries demanding
enormous sums of money for alleged
wrongs. Colonel Fries was president of
the Roanoke and Southwestern Railroad
Company, which was later absolved by
The Norfolk and Western, and is now at
he head of the Wachoise Trust Company
If Winston Salem.
LETTERS THAT ANNOYED FRIES.
At first colonel Fries paid little atten-
ion to the maundering letters of his old
ime friend but on February 28 he re-
;eiyed communication that annoyed
him. 1t read:
LAIN MADE BY w. b. ELLIS AGAINST
f. H. FRIES.
First: 500, 900 for gaining w. B. Ell
ISIS confidence. as his Bible class teach
Il, and then betraying him in as detri-
mental manner as the stab of a still
etto from a supposed friend would be
Who had carried it concealed in his
leeve, and while acting as chief execu-
i've of the community's trade organiza-
ion Mr.. Fries led Mr.. Ellis to believe
e would extend TO him its promised
rotection, but in face Of his plainly
efined promises Mr.. Fires trampled
nder foot its rules to the extent of en-
gang of traitors, perjurera
nd marauders with credit and influence
D scandalize, defame and rob a mem
err W. B. Ellis, Of both cash and peace
( mind, who was a member in good
tanding of said organization and was
DING his utmost to lead an upright life.
Second: $4,000 for destroying the
ope, peace of mind, business ability and
'mporarily dethroning the reason of a
lember of said organization and sending
i'm blank wills to sign while he was
helpless wreck in bed. and refusing
i'm similar earthly Drnfaction az WAS
apped out for him by Fries to receive
the world to come"
third charge of $4,000 was for enter
Continued on Page Two)