New-York tribune., 1912-01-04

beyond his means and thought he had to
steal to make up the difference. He re-
ceived salary OF $4,000 a year and
lived at the rate OF about $4,000 He
was divorced several years ago and had
been paying $2,400 alimony. He trav-
elled with business men of large means
and was trying to keep up his end"
Vanderoef held stock interest Of S1S,-
600 in the Van Keuren firm, which he
turned over as part restitution, 1t was
said. He had not planted" any of the
stolen money, his counsel declared.
Firms Ability Not Impaired.
Frederick B. Mabbett, Of No 3S Park
Row. counsel for the Van Keuren e.
Thorton Company, said that the de-
falcation would not impair the firms
ability to meet its obligations. The loss
would fall entirely on the stockholders.
he explained. At meeting of the cred
itors at the Chemical National Bank
on Tuesday a committee consisting Of
D. O. Tatum, cotton broker and small
stockholder in the company; Andrew G..
Pierce, Of Fall River. Mass. a brother
in-law of William Thornton. the presi-
dent Of the company. and Mr.. Thornton
was appointed to liquidate the firms af-
irs, Mr.. Mabbett said. Mr.. Van Keu-
rem. the senior member of the firm. hGs
been dead several years, and business
would be continued probably under the
name of William Thorton e. CO.
The chec&s the defaulting treasurer
drew were comparatively small, the
largest one being for 1912. The specific
larceny charged in the complaint yester-
day was for a check Of 5000 which van
dsroef is alleged to have cashed at the
Imperial Hotel on July 6 in payment OF
a personal notel bill. Afidavits by Will
ian Thornton and Harry Chapman
cashier of the Imperial Hotel, where filed
V lth the complaint.
Vanderoef was not so well known
among his aeighbors in East Orange AS
h. was in business circles in this city.
He had lived quietly at No. ~ wash
Ington Terrace for the last four years
with his mother and sister. ana they
took no active part in the social aralrs
of the Oranges He rented the house.
which is comfortable and unpretentious.
He formerly lived in Orange Road
Montclair. where he was a member IL
Is said. OF the Montclair Club.
yanderoef was married at the Church
Of the Epiphany in Brooklyn on April
IL 1896. He and his wife lived at No
1919 Seventh avenue. Manhattan Tor
several years, but separated on august
IL. 1908. In october of that year she
sued him for absolute divorce. Justice
Truax appointed Delano Z. CALVIN as
referee TO take evidence in the case.
Former Justice Leventritt granted MIS-
Vanderoef a final decree Of absolute di-
yorce on March s, 1906. The husband
offered no testimony at the hearings be-
fore the referee. Mrs. Vanderoef also
received the custody Of their only child,
Norman Maitland Vandsroef.
Detectives employed by the plaintin
testified at the hearings that they G's-
covered Vanderoef and woman, whose
name was not mentioned. at the Hotel
Bartholdi. Broadway and 23d street, on
the night Of August IL, 1909. The ce-
tectiyes occupied room across the hall
from Vanderoefs room. According 10
the testimony he had registered as
~. II. Mardaunt." Morton Stein. of No.
81 Liberty street, appeared as counsel
for Mrs. Vanderoef in the divorce ac-
ton.
Mrs. Vanderoef figured In a sensa-
tional episode in July. 1905 when the
wife of an actor named Wilson attacked
her in the street, alleging afterward that
Mrs. Vanderoef was too friendly with
her husband.