New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-07
TWO PUT ON TRIAL
AS TRINITY SW|NDLERS
Fonda and Goode Induced Many
to Believe Themselves Heirs
to Property, Is Charge.
TALKED OF SUING FOR IT
Circular Sent to Hundreds Say
ing They Might Regain Estate
Worth Millions if They
Contributed.

A setback was given to the filing OF
suits against the Trinity Church Corpora
ton by alleged heirs of the Anneke JAMS
Bogardus, Edwards. Weber and Del
mater estates when the trial OF John III
Fonda and Elmer e. Goode. In the Grim
inal Branch Of the Federal District Court
began yesterday before Judge Hand
Fonda, who is Lightweight years old, Is
charged with being the chief promoter OF
scheme which is described in the indict-
ment as one to collect small assessments
from every one who could be induced to
believe that he was an heir OF one Of
these old New York families.
THE Union Association of Heirs OF
Harlem Edwards, Weber and Delmater
Estates" was incorporated in 1909 with
Fonda as president and Goode. a lawyer,
his assistant. Fonda's headquarters were
at No. 253 West 18th street, and offices
were also opened in the Stafford Building
in Buffalo. The indictment charges that
the defendant mailed hundreds Of circu-
lars to persons who were informed that
they were heirs and that they would have
only to contribute to the association to
regain possession of property in Man
haitian worth hundreds OF millions OF
dollars
The circulars asserted, according to the
Indictment, that the rights OF Trinity Cor
poration were based on pretended grants
of land by King William Ill., and that
old documents and records proved that
these rights has been revoked 1t con-
tinued: THE Union Association has as its
directors and officers persons whose rights
are similar TO yours. The association Is
reasonable in it's requests from the heirs,
namely. one dollar per month. many pay
ing s. each month.
Among those i'm various parts OF the
country who were solicited by mall to
contribute on the ground that they were
entitled by right Of descent. under the
laws of the State OF New York, to an
interest in fee simple to lands In Man
haitian worth hundreds of millions OF
dollars were Leo &. Perciyal. county at
torney. of Wlnterset. Iowa; j. X. Pearce,
r. ID. Route No. Q Lucas Ohio. and Leo
w. Severus, Of No. 1874 Diamond street,
Mansfield. Ohio. They were Informed
that in consequence OF suits instituted
against Trinity Corporation title to the
lands would be recovered by those VINO
contributed to the working funds of the
association.
And It was further part OF said
scheme and artlfce OF said defendants.
saws the Indictment, Ito cause actions TO
be commenced in the courts Of the state
Of New York. which actions would be
noticed for trial and placed upon the cal
endars OF said courts for trial; and said
defendants intended as part of said
scheme and artihce that the trial OF said
actions should he deferred and delayed as
long as possible, and that when such
actions should be actually reached for
trial. that the same should be dismissed
by the said courts because of the failure
OF the plaintiffs therein seyerally named
To appear and substantiate the allega-
lions of the complaints in such actions