Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-07-21
SCION OF COLONIAL FAMILY
IN TOMBS AS BLACKMA|LER
John A. Van Rensselaer, Asks Five Thousand DaIOrs From
Mama Promises to Blow Her Head off if Modest Request
is Turned Down; Fond Parent Comes Back With Demand
for Young Mans Arrest for Attempted ExtOrtOn.
IBy Morning journal Special LEASED wIre.i

lby Morning Journal Special Laased Wirei
New York, July 2O.-John A. Van
Rensselaer,. son of Mrs John X. Van
Rensselaer, and a member of one of
New Yorks Oldest families was taken
into custody tonight on a charge of
attempted extortion. The arrest was
made on advices from Chief of Po-
lice Crowley, of Newport, r. l.. who
received complaint from Mrs. Van
Rensselaer, that her son had written
letter threatening her bodily harm
unless she provided him with funds.
VanRensselaer is "a years old and
married.
VanRensselaer is connected with a
local brokerage house and when he
returned to his home tonight he was
placed under arrest by detectives who
produced the letter alleged to have
been written by VanRensselaer to his
mother The detectives and Lieuten-
ant Mannlon before whom VanRens-
selaer was brought in the police sta
tion. declare that the young man stat
ed that he had written the letter,
which is without any conventional be-
ginning or ending and of which the
postscript is unsigned. The letter
reads:
81 have just seen Lawrence Lee and
am given to understand that you
will pay $50 per month for my board
If will go three hundred miles from
New York and that | must have your
written consent to leave the place that
you may select.
"Did it ever occur to you that
have an absolute remainder interest in
Aunt Frances estate Securities, ann
that by blowing your head off that
my wife would have an income suf-
ficient to support her?'
"I will take that course If necessary
and upon my head will rest the con-
sequences (Thaw is still alive. may
be I will be). In any case my wife,
God bless her. will benefit by your
demise, even If I don't.
81 have seen many disappointments
and much suffering In my life and
must say that most of it is due to you.
A selfish peacock, whose name in
these times amounts to nothing. and
who y ahnast ifat snta.tA 9orgots
ton in circles where once honored.
81 am now in no huinor to be trlhed
with, and I wish to go on record that
will take action on sight unless
! something is done at once.
you gave Harold $4,000 and a trip
to Europe. What have l had for be-
ing honest?
(signed)
-. A. VANRENSSELAER"
81 want you to raise on that fancy
name of yours $4,000 for me. If you
are such a great lady, make good; II
not keep out of my sight I can raise
cash enough yet to go to you. where
you are and I have a good name"
VanRensselaer was taken later to
police headquarters and the police OF
Newport. where Mrs. VanRenssaaer Is
nov residing, were notified Of the ar
rest. The prisoner made inquiries re-
garding bail and spoke vaguely Of q
man named Lee. who would be glad
to furnish it. VanRensselaer win be
carefully observed by the police. Ad.
mitting to Lieutenant Mannion thai
he had written the letter VanRens
selaer, according to the police. mad,
the following statement regarding thu
demand on his mother:
81 gave her a thousand dollar,
when she was on her uppers, and nov
! wanted $4,000 to go into the broker
age business. When l was in busi
J ness before / had good friend wh'
used to loan me any amount wanted
up to a couple Of hundred thousand
This friends mother wanted to ge
into the colonial DANES of America
: Of which my mother was a member
but my mother blackmailed her. The
soon after that I went to this frien,
again for another loan. but he toll
! me II my mother was too good to rs
sociate with his mother he guessed hi
2 mney was too good for me-"
:, VanRensselaer Is a son Of Joh
+, King VanRensselaer and grandson q
{ Brgadier General Henry Bell Van
4 Rensselaer,, aide de camp to Majo
, General Winfield Scott
: The VanRensselaers are descendant
: from Colonel Jermiah vanRensselael
e who was member of the colonial as
4 sembly in this state and its speakf
n In 1864 Young VanRensselner wa
e twice married, having divorced h
x first wife.
=