The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-08-01
BLACK SHADOW OF
COMING LAWSUIT
Major Wetmore's Children
Hire a Negro to Watch
Their Father and His
Present Wife.
LATTER CAUSES spY's ARREST
Prisoner Admits He Is Paid
to Watch Major watmore
Who Explains the
LATTER CAUSES spY's ARREST

complaint of a well-known New York So
ciety woman and his arraignment in the
First Criminal Court yesterday afternoon
brought out an intensely interesting, pa
thetic and even gruesome story. The
negro gave his name as Werdon A
Smith. The complainant was Mrs. Kath-
arine Wetmore, wife of Major James
B. Wetmore, of No. 81 Madison avenue,
! New York, who, with her husband, is
stopping at their summer home in Allen
hurst, n. j. She said she had found
Smith shadowing her 8or several days,
and that he was even seen last Sunday
with heavily veiled woman in the
shubbery of the Allenhurst home taking
snap shots of the grounds.
The negro in court yesterday surprised
even Mrs. Wetnore with a statement
! that he was employed by lawyer JAY
N. Chandler Of No. 40 Wall street,
New York. He said that Lawyer
Chandler had been retained by the chill
dren of former wife of the Major,
from whom she had been divorced, and
that his mission was to learn the state
of Major Wetmore's health. The first
wife of theh Major is now Mrs. James
w. Markoe, of No. u West Fifty-ffth
| street. She sued for divorce several
years ago and later brought an action to
compel Major Wetmore to pay back ali
mony, winning in both cases. In De
4 cenber last he announced that he had
settled the case by paving his former
wife $4,000. Mrs. Markoe was also
awarded the custody of her three chill
dren.
The present Mrs. Major Wetmore, who
had the negro, Snith, arrested in this
city for shadowing her, was formerly
| Mrs Katherine B. Havercamp. She is
pretty and vivacious and comes of a
good family. She was greatly excited
when she appeared in the First Criminal
! Court yesterday afternoon and insisted
on asking questions, among which were:
"Why on earth is he shadowing me?
/ have done no wrong"
Smith admitted that he knew nothing
wrong about the Wetmores. He had
:
only been instructed to get information.
Mrs. Wetmores story in court was to
the effect that she started for New York
from her Allenhurst home yesterday and
was told by the station agent that she
was being followed.
When she arrived at Asbury Park she
became aware that the negro was in the
same coach. She appealed to the conduc-
tor who told her Smith claimed to have a
right to watch her. On her arrival in
Jersey City she had the negro arrested.
4 He was taken over the Gap ferry at the
foot of Washington street. Mrs. Wet
more said that she would go to New
York by the Liberty street ferry and re-
turn to Jersey City and appear against
him. She appeared later and the hearing
of the complaint was brought before Act
ing Police Justice e. A. Ransom. 1t was
then that Smith admitted that he had
been employed by a lawyer representing
the interests of the children of Major
Wetmore by his former wife, explaining
that as the Major was in poor health
the children wanted to be prepared to
bring an action in case anything happen
ed to Major Wetmore
4 When Mrs. Wetmore appeared in court
she was accompanied by Attorney George
Ludlum and Miss Arnold.
Acting Justice Ransom fined Smith
s25. Smith hatan't the money and asked
if check would do He was told he
would have to produce the cash. Smith
was locked up, but later he paid, the fine
and was released.
| Major Wetmore is reported to be a
millionaire five times over. He was
married to his first wife in 1882 It was
nine years later that she sued for divorce
and the Major married the present Mrs.
i Wetmore Eve years ago. The Major is
+ a Civil War veteran.
After his first wife sasussa Asr alvercs
the Major gave out tho following state.
ment: II have made 4 settlement in full
with nay wife, whereby she and tue chill
dsen are to receive $74 coo for herself
and children for life, and 10 further