New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-25
MOODY MERRILL FOUND.
Dies Wealthy in NeSU-Merico,
Kno1cn as C.. r. Gragson.

Santa Fe N NJ Dec 24-Moody Merrill OF Bos-
ton. alias c. T. Grayson of Silver City. died sud
denly to-day at Silver City from pneumonia Mer-
rfll had held high positions in Boston. whence he
suddenly disappeared and supposed to be
dead. until short time ago. when political enc
mics IT is said helped to reveal his wherea bouts
financial charges In New-Mexico he had made a
new fortune; represented the Colers, Of New-T ork
IN the Southwest and had been president Of the
Silver City National Bank.
Boston. Dec. PA telegram announcing the death
Of Moody Merrill formerly a prominent hnancier
OF Boston, at Silver City. N. M was received TO-
day by his son, Winthrop NJ Merrill. For
Der of years Merrill had been in the banking busi-
ness in New-Mexico. having gone West
count OF alleged difficulties arising from the
fortunate investment of money given him by others.
He was under Indictment here on q charge OF m
bezzlement. based of these alleged trans
actions, carried on about ten years ago. He was
arrested on this charge In New-York a few months
ago. and brought here but he disappeared before
his case called for trial
Merrill was sixty-seven years old The telegram
announcing the death the first intimation OF
MerrilPs whereabouts since he failed to answer to
the indictment found against him. The police had
been trying to find the
Merrill made and lost several fortunes He aided
In building up the street railway system Of Bos-
ton, and was involved in many other financial
operations. He served on the Boston School Board
member Of the State House of Representatives and
Senate His ambition was 70 he Nsvor ~ Of Boston
In the fall of 1890 he succeeded in defeating Thomas
y. Hart for denomination by the Republicans,
put ne lost at the polls to MAJ nan Matthews. jr..
the Democratic nominee. In Hsw-Mexico he was
known as Colonel Charles T. Grayson, and under
mat name is said to have carried on extensive
ana profitable business ventures.
IN the ten years Merrill lived in New Mexico
as Charles +. Graysop he made about S5e9.000.
All this time detectives searched for him the
world over They could not find trace OF the
man although he made no special efforts to dis
gulse himself further than changing his name He
was a delegate from New Mexico to Washington
70 advocate Statehood, and was member Of the
board of regents of the Territorial Normal School.
IN washington he met men who haG known him in
New England, but no one recognized Merrill in the
clever Gfayson OF the mining country in the West.
The name Grayson readily passed in the New
York banks. 1t was through his wife that Mer-
Drive.
MerrilIs greatest achievement while in the Mas.
sachuSetts State Legislature tie abolition Of
the old State cOnstabulary. He exposed the
ruptlOn of that organization so successfully that
the bill abolishing the State force passed over
Of an act authorizing the Highland Street Railway
to consolidate the street raj ways of Boston with
ward led to the formation of the West End Street
Railway Company. Merrill himself found the
task too big for him. but ii carried out later
When Merrill arrested IN New-York he made
a determined fight against extradition to this
State, but the application for his removal was
was reached in October Merrill failed appear.
While under arrest in New-York he insisted that
ne nae sent money 70 Boston when ne had peen
given to understand had been applied to the Hqui-
datton Of many OF the claims Of those whose money
he had invested
Boston police officials said this afternoon that
a large sum as having been Incorporated the
police complaints from multitude Of people in
vOlved the alleged conversion Of almost 100000
The principal Indictment against Merrill charged
the larceny Of $4,000 from Mrs. Sarah Cohen