New-York tribune., 1906-12-03
HOPE TO GET PORTRAIT
Presidents Said To Be in Propi.
dence-MurphYs Storu.

providence, Dec Frank A. Matthews Chief
Of Police, stated tonight that he had every rea-
son to believe that the portrait of President
Roosevelt painted by W. D. Murphy New
York artist, which disappeared some time ago,
was hidden somewhere In this city Four por-
traits, those Of President Roosevelt, President
Mckinley, John Hay. Secretary Of State, and
Senator Mark Hanna, We're borrowed from the
artist TO be exhibited for charitable purposes
and disappeared The Mckinley and Hanna
portraits were found later in Philadelphia.
The portrait of Secretary Hay was found In a
Dorrance street pawnshop last night The
Roosevelt and Hay portraits were exhibited to-
gether at q Weybossett street art gallery from
which they disappeared. Chief Matthews would
not give any reason for his belief that the
missing Roosevelt portrait is concealed in Provi-
dence, nor would he say anything concerning
the pawning of the picture of Mr. Hay.
William d Murphy. an artist living at No. II
West 10th street. told the story last night of how
early this year he induced by man who
called himself William ]. Wilson to part with por-
traits of President Roosevelt the late President
Mckinley. John Hay and Senator Hanna for the
sum of 5000 which, he said, had never been paid
The paintings three-quar ters life size and
heavily framed. The pictures of President McIin-
ley and Senator Hanna were found in Philadelphia
after the arrest Of Wilson.
Mr.. Murphy said that he exhibited the pictures
last February. President Roosevelt went there to
see them, and SO did Wilson, who represented him
self to be the vice president of the American His
torical Congress. After he had stored the pictures
In a vault in Washington, Mr.. Murphy said Wilson
sent for him. ffe CMurphO called at Wilson'S Of
fees, which Were elaboratey furnished at No. 14lO
II street, Washington. Wilson said he would buy
the pictures, and that he wanted them to exhibit
at Riverdae, where there building with spe-
cial rooms dedicated to heroes and statesmen
He gave his note, which was to fall due on
May 10 said Mr.. Murphy. IL was obliged 10 start
for New York in IL hurry. and had no time 10 make
any investigation about the man, and everything
looked all right at that time He did not paw In
May, and | wrote him in June. but he never an
swered. | found that his company which
existed lest fall. had been put of business by
the authorities in Washington. aud that he mad
returned to persons sums of money which they had
sent to him was soon afterward called before the
District Attorney there to testify. among others
as to what knew about Wilson. IIa indicted
soon afterward and arrested in room in a
vacant business building at No 1882 Arch street
Philadelphia where he told the police he was doing
real estate business. Wilson had paid no rent
since June, and the landlord and his lawyer tried
TO compel the police To t" "
Mr.. Murphy said he had reason to believe that
the man who had been imperSonating him in Provi-
dence was former employe OF Wilson The only
thing that Wilson would say when arrested about
the Roosevelt and Hay pictures that the last
time he had seen them at the Narragansett
Hotel, i'll Providence.