New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-14
LEWIS JARVIS" CAUGHT.
It. p. WICKES INDICTED
Lazcyer Held on Charge of Sending
BIackmaikng Letters.

The arras+ .,5 Indictment of Thomas P. Wickes
-. charge of bIacknnan yesterday brought to
light one of the most confusing Jekyll ana Hyue
cases recently discovered in this city IL also
cleared UP the mystery of the Lewis JARVIS
1etters which have been puzzling the legal fra
ternity and the public
Mr. Wickes. who is a well known lawyer at
No 90 Raaver-st. and a member Of several
clubs. and formerly was assistant corporation
oo,,,seI was indicted on two counts by the
grand iurv one of blackmail and the other OF
sending threatening letters. The arrest was
made at the request of District Attorney Jeroiiie
who went with Mr.. Wickes before Judge MI
Mahon in General Sessions and asked tfat 'i1e
prisoner be released in $1,000 bail Cash pan
was deposited, and the case will come up 1or
! pleading next Monday
The charge against Mr.. Wickes is orlehy IiiaI
of sending blacbmailing letters uiuer "
anonymous name. to a Defendant III u"iiioee
case while he was acting as counsel for the
plaintiff His arrest and indictment yesterday
followed a sensational development on MONDAY
in the suit of DR.. Ashbel p. GrinneH against
Edward Weston which was first brought IN
1901 DR. Grinnell who was al one time ueah
of the medical school of the University OF YER
mont retained Mr. Wickes and Senator oSuil-
van as counsel in a civil suit brought against
Mr. Weston, a wealthy inventor OF electrlcal
devices of Trenton. N. ]. 1t was while con-
Quoting this case that the accused man wrote
four threatening letters Mr.. Weston urging
| a speedy settlement of the case. These letters
Mr. Weston turned over TO James W. Osborne.
his counsel.
The history of the Grinnell- Weston litigation
and the part which Mr. Wickes and Lewis
Jarvis" PLAYED therein read like fairy tale IN
1901 Mr. Weston was robbed of small sum OF
money by a notorious criminal named Edward
S. Raymor Complaint made 10 the police
and a warrant was out. At the Grand
Central Station one day DR.. Grinneli' who bore
a striking resemblance to the thief was ar
rested. MIS-. Grinnen was with him at the
time of the arrest. On proving his identity Dr.
Grnneu was discharged w. S. Mitchell at
torney for DR.. weston, sent a letter of explana-
ton and apology to DR.. Grinnen On the fol-
lowing day however. Dr. Grinneil went to see
Chief of Police Devery. and later brought suit
| for $4,000.
The first time the case was tried Dr. Grinnell
| received verdict of $12.500 against Mr.. Wes-
! ton hut the verdict was set aside On the
second trto1 \ verdict of $4,000 was secured.
/ but was cut 10 $1,000 by Justice Dugro in the
| Supreme Court and both sides appealed On
| the third trial, May 16 last. mistrial was
! caused by the illness of one of the jurors The
fourth trial began on June and ended abruptly
| last Monday, before Justice Greenbaum, in Part
| XIII of the Supreme Court, the Senator arising
| and stating that he forced to withdraw
from the case, owing TO the conduct of his
| brother counsel.
Last winter. between the third and fourth
| trials Mr.. Weston went to Palm Beach, Fla,
| and while there began to receive letters. signed
Lewis Jarvis protesting to come from friend
| and former guest, and urging him TO settle the
| suit against DR. Grinnell. Four of these letters
| in. all were sent the doctor at Palm Beach
| The writer showed a profound knowledge OF
| the Weston-Grinnel litigation from beginning
| TO end and seemed to be greatly interested In
| conserving the interests of Mr. Weston The
dates Of the letters were February 1S February