The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-02-18
became CRys!Y
FROM Eating PIE
u.rnl. Of the House Of Mystery
Locked Himself up : Quarter
Of a cenutry
Ago.
|vuLrUREs AFTER HIM
II Dying Now and Two Crooks A.
tempted to Get Hold Of His
Fortune But Are
| Caught.
MIXTURES AFTER HIM

NEW YORK, FeD. lt.--A plOt 10
xrench millions from the feeble grasp
II 4 dying millionaire hermit, sole
tahabitant for twenty y-five years Of
Brooklyn's famous House of Mystery"
xas revealed tonight, the police al
,sge in the arrest OF George Decker,
professional nurse, and the issu-
ance Of a warrant for man said to
have been at one time member of
the state senate.
The intended victim was Samuel
d Haslett. unique recluse, whose
mansion was aired this evening for
the first time In quarter of cen
tury The story of conspiracy was
brought cut as If from an ancient
tomb. When Haslett became i'll a
rees ago, his only friend, an attorney
engaged Decker, who had high recon-
Ihendations as a nurse and Decker
was the first man, besides Haslett
to enter the House of Mystery" in
twenty-five years
The attorney went to call but the
door was slammed in his face by the
politician, who had evidently been
summoned by Decker. The attorney
later returned with detective but
was again denied admission. When
he protested the man at the door dis
played an alleged power of attorney
which he said Haslett had given hin,
II ID now charged that this was
forged
Warrants in the case were issued
by Magistrate Kempne..-, who predict
ed that the case would develop sen
sations Money, stocks and bonds were
found scattered about in the thicl
dust Of the darkened house. when tht
officers took charge this evening.
Turned from the world and it.
irivolities by the tragic death of hi
wife, burned to death in their home
Samuel e. Haslett, became a reclus'
twenty-five years ago. Tonight h'
vas believed to be dying in hi
House of Mystery in the exclusive
residential section of Brooklyn. Ant
with his serious illness the grea
mansion, inside of which no foot 9th
er than that of the eccentric million
aire has trod in a quarter of a Ger
tury, was re-opened.
The scenes inside, according to re
ports of those who entered, were re
markable. The entire interior wa
inches deep with dust Money amoun
ing to several thousands of dollar
WIS scattered everywhere. Their
we're bushels Of unopened letters an
richly bound books, their pages sti
uncut, strewn about the room.
Magistrate Kempner said tonigf
that after examining Decker he wa
satisfied that crime had been con
mitted. He said that the political
mentioned in the case, and for whoI
he had issued warrant, was forme
Senator Frank G. Gardner. who wa
asquitted year ago Of attempte
bribery in connection with the a
legged attempt to prevent the passae
OF the anti-race track gambling bill
Decker told the Judge that on til
nights of February Il, 13. Is and
ne brought Gardner to the Hasle
house. AS the result Of these yisi
Hardner was put in possession of tH
Wills, the contents of which are NJ
revealed by the magistrate or II
Police, and an iron clad power of q
'orney which gave Gardner contr
OF all of Haslett's possessions.
ilrst Decker told him Kempne
That Haslett had sent him for Gar
ner and the documents were slgn'
and witnessed by two physician
Drs Date and Turner and himse
Later, the magistrate said, Deck
changed his story and said that He
lett had no acquaintenance wi
Gardner and that it was he tDecke
mat brought him to the house.
When ] questioned Haslett
night said Kempner. "he told 4
emphatically that he had no recollt
tion of having signed any will
any power of attorney He deni
emphatically that he had engag
uardner as his attorney and told |
mat his only attorney was his frier
John B. Lord, who had been
iawyer FOR more than twenty-year