The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-02-22
POLITICAL LEADER
ACCUSED Of PLOT
State Senator Gardner Of New
York Is Held.
REcLUsE SEEN AS VICTIM
Charged That Accused Secured Old
Mans Signature to Two Wills
&c., Naming Himself as Executor
of Estate.

New York, Feb. 19.-Frank J. Gard
ner, former state senator from Brook
Ign, pleaded not guilty when arraigned
on the charge of conspiring to defraud
Samuel +. Haslett, the aged recluse
occupant OF Brooklyn's House OF
Mystery" and was released in $4,000
bail.
He left court in company with his
wife, who was we'll known to the stage
as May Yerba and who stayed close
to her husband all during his trial a
year ago on charge of bribery In
connection with the anti-race track
legislation, charge of which he was
acquitted.
Gardner Is Sansuine.
Gardner was sanguine AS to the out
come of his new predicament.
Il am sure this will come out all
right" he said. Il have absolutely
nothing to fear. There will be plenty
of sensational exposures made before
this case is through and let me assure
you that | will not be the victim. !
am not worrying any"
Gardner was arrested Saturday after
he had taken charge Of the refuses
mansion and had secured the old
mans signature to two wills, in which
he named himself as executor Of the
Haslett estate and papers giving him
self power OF attorney.
John B. Lord, an attorney who has
been caring for Mr.. Hssletts business
for years, called on his client Satur-
day, but was twice refused admit
lance to the house by servants in
stalled there by Gardner
Police Invade blouse of Mystery"
He interested Magistrate Kempner
in the case, and the latter, with
squad or detectives, gained an en-
trance by breaking down the door
Haslett lying on bed OF rags in
rear dimly lighted room and danger.
Ously i'll, denied to the magistrate that
he knew Gardner OF had ever named
an executor or given anyone the
power of attorney. He insisted that
his business was in charge Of Attor-
ney Lord. StreWn over the floors of
the house was q small fortune In notes
and currency, much OF 1t concealed by
filth and dirt which had been undiE
turbed since Haslett closed the house
and took up a hermit's life % years
ago.
George Decker, who went to the
house to nurse Haslett when he be-
came i'll several days ago and who is
also under arrest, was said by Magis.
trate Kempner to have made a full
confession of his part in the conspir-
acy.
Nurse Makes Alleged Confession.
81 decided to examine Decker right
there at Mr.. Haslett's bedside" said
Magistrate Kempner, describing the
scene in the house He said that the
aged man had asked him to send for
Gardner last Monday, saying he want
ed to give Gardner the power of attor
ney in place of Mr.. Lord. Decker went
on to say that Gardner came Monday
night and again on each of the follow
ing nights up TO and including Friday
night, February 10. He said that
Gardner fixed up the papers and drew
two wills and that Mr. Haslett signed
them. ! reported Decker's story to
Mr.. Haslett and he said that he didn't
know anything about it.
On the way back to my Office Deck
er told two policemen that he was
willing to make clean breast OF his
part in the affair. He said that he was
responsible for bringing Mr.. Gardner
TO the house. Decker said he was TO
receive $4,000 under the first will and
that he was to become residuary lega-
tee under the second will"