The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-17
TELLS ANOTHER STORY.
Rosenfeld Denies Part of Van Wis
sengen's Testimony.

Chicago, May 17.-Maurice Rosenfeld
and Bernard Rosenberg, to whom Pc
ter anVlissingen. forger of more than
million dollars in mortgages alleges
he confessed his crimes four years prior
to his public admission of guilt, appear
ed before Referee in Bankruptcy Wean
today to answer questions growing out
OF VanVHssingen's recent testimony.
VanViissingen, who was brought back
from the penitentiary to assist in To-
eating the assets of his estate, declar-
ed that in 1904, Resented then cashier
Of the now defunct Chicago National
bank and Rosenberg, brother-in-law OF
the latter, discovered that several hun
dred thousand dollars in mortgages
which they had secured from him were
forgeries.
Il offered then to go before the states
attorney, confess and take my punish
n ent," said VanVlissingen, when on the
witness stand, a fortnight ago.
"'They said they wanted their money
told them 1 could get it only by de
frauding still other people. They said
that they did not want to hear about
how 1 got it. The point with them was
that I was to get it, So I continued
forging and discovery was STAYED off
for four years more"
Mr.. Resented, taking the stand, said
he had known VanVlissingen 20 years
and had purchased from him many
mortgages for himself and clients.
when did you learn of his insolven-
cy?" asked Attorney Peake, represent
| ing the estate of the convicted forger.
| MOT until his arrest last winter.
Speaking of a new set of books, which
Resented had opened on December 10,
| 1904, witness was asked his reason for
doing so.
Because" he replied, ION December
of that year VanVlissingen confessed
his forgeries to me-
Did he tell you the names of his VIC
| timS?'
He said there were none other than
myself and the interests l represent
ed"
did you ask him?''
Yes, 1 spoke particularly of Lefens
land Seipp, and he answered that they
had no spurious loans"
How did you make your discovery
of the forgeries?"
How He Found 1t Out.
II was in the Chicago National bank
| and saw a map of property at Forty
ninth street and Cottage Grove avenue
in the hands of John R. Walsh, presi-
dent of the bank Mr.. Walsh was about
tC buy the property from VanN hssln-
gen. I told Mr.. Walsh held a mort.
gage on the property and then l went
after VanVlissingen- kept after him
for three days till on December 8, he
finally confessed, breaking down and
Icrying. I said to him: aass d.. ,7sz=,ss7s y
| ".I am going to take this up with
my lawyer; 1 am not going to COM
pound felony To this he answered:
| I am not going to run away, neither
co 1 propose to commit suicide have
equities in real estate and can pay
you Off &"
| Mr. Rosenfeld was alone at this in
Iterview but on the following day he
was accompanied by his brother-ln-laW
Mr.. Rosenberg.
| "VanVnssingen repeated his confes-
sion, and 1 again declared 1 would moi
| compound a felony. Then VanVliss1n-
gen explained that his embarrassment
Twas only temporary, due to loaning Out
too much money.
Il suggested that his friends Nigh
help him out, but he said no., the amount
was too large"
Did ne agree to pay you and Rosen-
berg?"
Yes, he agreed to pay US 1000 week
lly. He owed US about $4,000 Which
i he said he figured he could pay in two
or three years. He said he valued his
leouities in real estate at $500, 000.'