New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-14
SAYS LAWYERS STOLE.
Charges Them 7Uith Taking Bonds
Under False Representations.

On warrants issued by Magistrate Dooley. Albert
NJ. Fragner and Charles g. Gall lawyers. were
arrested and arraigned yesterday in the Adams
St court. Brooklyn. on charge Of larceny or
bonds worth about $4,000 the property OF two
orphan girls. Fragner has an office with Magis-
trate Tighe at 40. $50 Fulton-st.. Brooklyn. and
Gall has Office in the Germania Bank Building
that borough. They pleaded not guilty and were
held in s. 200 bail each for examination on January
& Bail furnished.
Otto Kainer. of the firm OF Otto Kainer & Co.
importers. of No. 1Os Broad-st-. Manhattan. died
about two years ago. leaving estate OF consid-
cradle value, and his wife died last April The
family lived Prospect Heights Mrs Kainer
dying intestate her son. Otto H. Kainer. was ap-
pointed administrator Of the estate.
After the death of Mr.. Kainer. his brother-in-
law. Hugo Wantvelius. of No. log Berkeley Place.
Brooklyn, to this country from Germany and
became manager for the firm. He appointed
guardian of the two nieces-Camille. eighteen years
old. and Edith, fourteen years old-and retained
Lawyer Fragner counsel Mr.. Wantvelius was
placed under bond for the faithful administration
of his trust, and among the property left TO the
girls 500 in cash. which on deposit. and
twenty railroad bonds. valued at $1,000 each. or
$4,000 in all.
1t was alleged by Mr.. wantvelius that Mr.. Frag-
told him the company that bonded him should
have possession of the securities. and introduced
him a who said he represented the lEtna
Indemnity Company. OF which William c. Arni-
tage. OF No II Court-st.. Brooklyn. is the local
manager
the Office of the Pioneer Safe Deposit Company. in
Flatbush-ave. where he surrendered the securi-
ties and Mr.. Gall. he said. gave him this receipt:
THE above securities were this day deposited In
FOR surety company"
Mr.. Wantveus did notice the time that
the who gave him the receipt had omitted
the of the surety company for which he
signed but later friend called his attention to the
fact that the name of the company had been omit
ted ia the receipt. Mr.. Wantvelus became
picious. but before he had a chance speak 10
Fragner about ii the lawyer sent him $780, which
he said was interest on the bonds. and soon after
ward $500 more.
Mr. Wantvelius finally went to Mr.. Armitage.
who informed him that his surety company never
had the bonds and that he did not do business with
the Pioneer company. After several attempts 10
see Lawyer Fragner. MT. Wantvelius called at his
Office last Monday and told him he thought he
ought TO have the bonds right away Fragner said
he thought the estate could be settled in about
eight days which satisfactory to Mr..
Wantvelius and he went to the Adams-st court
Tuesday and Swore out warrant against
Fragner and Gall Among other things he
alleged that Fragner had secured nearly all
the s. 600 belonging TO the girls which de-
post.
In court yesterday Fragner said he had the bonds
surrender them. He maintained that the estate
owned him $500 for counsel fees. and that he
simply holding the bonds until his fees
paid. He asserted that he had any nten-
ton OF keeping the bonds for himself. Gall denied
that he had the bonds had any deal
fngs with Mr.. Wantvelius and that point he
was corrobOrated by Fragner.