Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-02-19
Conspiracy TO
Rob Aged Man
EX-sTATE SENATOR AND NURSE
UNDER ARREST.
FORGERY is ALSO ALLEGED
Charge That Signature to Document
Giving Former Power of Attorney
Is Spurious-Two Wills involved.

IS OPAIlOAs-I Wo WINS 'nNetNwos
New York, Feb. 1S.-Formef State
Senator Frank J. Gardner. Of race
track legislation fame, who was ar
rested and locked up late last night
on the charge of conspiracy to gain
control Of the half million dollar estate
Of Samuel +. Haslett, an aged recluse,
by use Of a power of attorney, which
Easlett is alleged to have repudiated,
was released on $1,000 bail today after
arraignInent in a Brooklyn court.
Gardner, who a year ago was acquit-
ted of charge of attempting to bribe
State Senator Otto q. Foelker in con-
nection with the anti-race track legis-
l2ion in this state in 1909, pleaded not
guilty and said that ne had no doubt
Of mis- ability to clear himself
Says He Will Come Out All Right.
As the ex-senator left the court
room with his wife, formerly May
Nerba, an actress, he said;
Il am sure this viii come out all
light. I have absolutely nothing 70
fear. There will be plenty OF sensa
uonal exposures made before this case
is through, and let me assure you that
/ will not be the victim. That is all
counsel. | am not worrying any,"
Old Mans Nurse Also Held.
Gardner's examination was fixed ter
tomorrow. 1t is expected that at the
same Tune George H. Decker, who In q
remarkable account Of the alleged plot
told to Magistrate Kempner, involved
Gardner in the case, will also be sx-
amined. Decker. who was employed ar
nurse for Easlett when the recluse waa
taken i'll two weeks ago in his house
Of mystery" in Brooklyn, was still in
jeiI toright in default Of bail.
HasIett in Feeble Health.
Haslett was reported in a serious
condition and will be unable TO ap-
peal at tomorrow hearing. He will
be represented by John r. Lord, his
counsel for the past Is years. who
starred the machinery moving yester-
day that caused the arrest of the tive
men nd the exposure Of the allefed
conspiracy.
Signature a Forgery.
in mis- affidavit to the court Lord.
who was barred yesterday from his
clients house by Decker upon the
ground that Haslett had dismissed
him, recites that Decker did call said
Frank j, Gardner to the Haelstt
| residence" that the said Gardner did
prepare a power of attorney giving to
the said Frank ]. Gardner full power
and authority over the persen and
property of said Samuel r. Haslett;"
that the signature to said power OF
attorney is not in the handwriting OF
Samuel Z. Haslett," and that said
Samuel L. Haslett stated to deponent
in the presence Of said George Decker
and other persons that he did not sign
said power Of attorney"
Gave Gardner Sweeping PowerS
The document in question, which was
witnessed by Decker, was extremely
| broad, authorizing Gardner to draw
checks, pay bills and care for Mr..
! Haslett's money and interest in almost
every conceivable way, and containing
| a provision expressly revoking all other
powers of attorney.
An Alleged Will Questioned.
| Decker's testimony tomorrow Is ex-
pected to throw more light upon an
other feature of the case involving an
! alleged will executed by Haslett. In
this will, according TO Deckers story,
as told by Magistrate Kempner after
his examination of the nurse, Gardner
was made sole executor and Decker
residuary legatee. The nurse, the mag
istrate said, insisted that Haslett in
| structed him to call in Gardner b
draw up this document, saying ne waS
tired of Mr.. Lord as his lawyer.
A ReoIuse for Is Years
Haslett. whose fortune was the OBJ
iect Of the alleged conspiracy, has been
a recluse since his wife was burned 70
death 20 years ago and when his
"house of mystery was entered re-
Gently on his being taken i'll the in
terror was found in an astonishing
state of neglect and decay.
Two Wills Drawn.
Among the probable Witnesses In ths
case, Il was learned tonight, are two
physicians. Dr. ]. T. Deyo and IR.
Hiram Turner. DR.. Deyo said t1Dis1t
that he and his fellow physician
signed = will on Thursday in the Has
lets residence, which they understood
was that of the rccluse whom thaT
had been called to attend. According
to DIR. Deyo two Wills were involved
one Of which he said he signed a. .
witness on the Tuesday previous when
he first visited the sick man.
Signing Of the Second Viii.
On THURSDAY, DR.. Deyo said he call
ed again at the residence, talking with
him DIR. Turner, with whom ne wiuh-
ed to hold q consultation over MY
Haslett's illness and he was then IN
formed by the nurse, Decker. that ow-
ing TO the death of one of the legatees
a sister OF Haslett, it had become nee
essary to execute a new will This
will he and DIR. Turner consented 4
sign. suposing they were doing then
patient q favor.
Gardner Present at Time.
Gardner was present at the TINA
DR.. Deyo said. and told him that here
, after he would be HasIetSs regulss
! physician. The patient had previously
been attended by Dr. II. p. MintoA
, /