Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-23
SAYS WITNESS
ASKED $1,000 TO
'sQUARE THINGS
Clansen Makes Sensational
Charge in Suit of Mont
clair Art Collector.

NEW YORK, March 2S.-The cross
examination of William Ciausen. the
art dealer being sued by William L
Evans, an art collector. of Montclair'
for the value of two Homer Martin
pictures alleged to be spurious. will be
concluded today In the Supreme Court,
and unless additional evidence Ia un-
earthed the case may go to the jury
before adjournment.
Clausen reached the climax of his
direct testimony when he fierceiy as
sailed some of those who had given
evidence against him, particularly
Henry w. Ranger. artist, who, he said,
had first told him the authenticity OF
the pictures was questioned.
Clausen said the first time he heard
the authenticity of "Old Mill Near St
Cloud" and Near Newport" questioned
was in the autumn of 1906. Ranger
called and asked him to try a canvas
that Ranger had sent.
Mr.. Ranger told me that he ought
to be entitled to a commission on
Near Newport and the old Mill
Clausen testified. 81 told him that he
had not lac anything to do with them.
He said. There is quite a little rumor
among the boys that those pictures
nave been too much painted upon II
you will give me 1900 for this canvas
/ will square it with the boys / told
Ranger that I would not give him even
$500 and that the other pictures were
all right"
Clausen asserted that in the spring
of 1908. after the pictures had gone to
Washington, where they were placed
in the Corcoran gallery. Ranger de-
manded outright 81, 900.
WAS anyone else PRESENT." asked
Jerome Eisner, attorney for tine de-
Tense.
">Io."
Clausen said that a ledger in which
he had kept a record of paintings had
disappeared. One day, entering his
store suddenly, he found Otto Karch
sitting at his desk with the checkbook
before him, Clausen testified.
II said to Karch, How did o get
the desk open?'" continued Clausen.
He replied, I found it OPEN 1 said,
The checkbook was in the bottom
drawer 1 told Karch I never wanted
to see him at the desk again Right
dllGI Ills QloClldi &c L iOOhCo lOi thS
books and letters, but I nave not seer
them"
Clausen gave the following history OF
the way in which he had acquired the
paintings over which the trouble arose
Near Newport Taken to his place
of business in 1902 by Andrew Chitten
den. Chittenden said he had a Home
Martin he wanted to sell. Clausen sale
it was a fine picture and paid Chitten
den $1,000 for it The picture was in bat
condition and was sent to Dawson, wht
restored it. 1t "a never called "Oystel
Bay" to Clausen's knowledge.
"Old Mill Near st. Cloud"-Taken t
Clausen's store in 1902 by a Mr.. Swift
Clausen liked it. Gave it to Dawson t.
be restored and paid Mr.. Swift $3.50.
"Normandie Bridge"-Bought in 100
from Mr.. and Mrs. Searles. relatives o
Senator Mcpherson. Sent it to Daw
son to be put in proper shape and solt
to DR.. Humphreys for SIS. 900.
Road to Fishkilr'-Sent to Clausel
from a Mrs. Skoe. of Chicago, and givel
to Dawson for restoration, as it wa
discolored.
Golden Sunset"-Brought in by a MI
Nicoll, who wanted to sell it. He pu
1t in an auction room, on Clausen's rec
ommendation.