New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-05
A QUEER OLIVER DEED.
RECLUSE REPUDIATED 1T.
Both Sides Talk of ArreSts-Not to
E.rhume Bodies.

It intimated yesterday that an important
step" meaning an arrest, was TO be made soon by
tie District Attorneys Office OF some one interested
IN the disposal OF the property OF Mrs. Mary J.
Oliver District Attorney Jerome and his assistant,
Paul Krotel. were in conference yesterday with
Frederick ". Littleheld, attorney for the direct
heirs OF Mrs. Oliver James S. Aderdce was not
present at the conference. although Samuel J..
Fairfield. counsel for James S. and Mary Ehzaoeth
Alderdice had a long talk yesterday and Thursday
with Mr.. Jerome.
Both sides are confident Of winning their cases.
and have INDUCED in accusations and recrimna-
tions. When Mr.. Fairfield was told yesterday that
# was animated in the District Attorneys office
that arrest in the possible. he replied
hotly:
Let them do it. II they dare We are ready for
them. There is Just point that l want made
clear. and they uncOnsciously helping me TO
clear it; and think then that ] will have some
thing to say about arrests myself. They are going
10 have an arrest made. they? They can go 20
well down the elevator shaft We will make an
arrest IN a few DAYS.
The story that Mrs r N. Jacobson. Mrs Oil
ver's granddaughter tells is not true. She was
never barred from her grandmother's house. When
she wanted visit her she never hindered
Instead OF the Rev James S Alderdce and his
son forcing the old 10 make any will or
sign any deeds. that kind OF business. if any. was
done by the other side
Mrs. Oliver was neglected by her children and
Mr.. and Miss Alderdice. out of their Christian
kindness took Of the old lady for years with
out receiving a cent.
with the exception OF Mrs Jacobson not
came TO her. until almost Immediately after
her death. when they ransaced the house. entering
St forcihly and abstracting various documents. We
generally call such action by very harsh name.
Our case is certain to be successful. I do not
blame them for trying 10 seure Mrs divers estate
hut do condemn them for casting aspersions on
such sanity man the elder Mr.. Alderdice."
I "A
Mary Alderdce is valued at about sl25000.
Among the witnesses called yesterday were Her
man Schmitt. Harlem real estate agent and Mrs.
lydia p. Koch Mr.. Schmitt said that about sixty
days before Mrs. Oliver died lawyer went to him
and tried 10 get loan OF 5000 on piece Of Har-
lem property, belonging, the lawyer told him, TO
Mrs Oliver. Schmitt learned that similar overtures
had been made TO several other real estate agents
IN Harlem. but said that all had refused to make
the loans, as a title guarantee company had re-
fused 10 declare a clear title TO the property.
Schmitt said he learned that Mrs. Koch held
deed TO the property, which purported TO transfer
II to her from Mrs. Oliver Schntt said that a law
yer told him Mrs. Oliver had denied trans
ferTing the property to any one, and said that If
she had she must have been out of her mind
Mrs. Koch is a dealer in real estate at No. IS
Fine-st Mr.. Krotel said that Mrs Koch told him
she had been visited in her Office by James S
Alderdice. the son OF the dead man. She had said
that Alderdice told her he wanted to transfer
property and wanted 10 use her name She gave
him the desired permission, but stated that she
received no money for so doing. She had never
seen Mrs. Oliver. The reason she gave Mr.. Alder
dice permission 10 her name was because he
was her lawyer she said
Mr.. Krotel said that very remarkable state
Of affairs" existed in the case. He would particu-
larly like to see Miss, Alderdiee Detective Flood,
who Is attached TO the District Attorneys office
was sent TO Mr.. Alderdice's office with subpoena.
When he returned he reported 10 Mr. Krotel that
Miss Alderdice not there.
1t is said that documentary evidence has been
submitted attacking the character Of the Rev
James :. Aiderdice.
Mr.. Krotel has requested that the fun reports
Of the persons who examined the bodies of Mrs
Mary j. Oliver and the Rev. James 5. Alderdice be
sent TO him. lie said il was very improbable that
the bodes would be exhumed in view of enlighten-
ing information he had received In the case.