New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-07

riagc. They backed him to the limit:
II is said that the money for some OF
his enterprises was furnished by them.
Death spared them the agony of mind
that must have been theirs had they
lived TO witness his present disgrace.
Soon after 1900 Lorlys Rogers sold
the plantation, which had come into his
possession on the death of his parents,
and came 10 New York. His wife had
borne MIN g son. and he brought his
family here. lie opened law Offices
and some time later he became associ-
ated with Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler,
for whom he handled criminal cases.
Mr.. Chanler pays high tribute TO
Rogers's work. Had he coupled the
proper application with his associ-
ations and the ability he was known to
possess. say those who know him. he
would have risen high in the legal
circles OF this city.
But Rogers was going it alone" The
loving tenderness of his mother and
the wise counsel of his father were not
there to guide him. He had to hew mis-
own niche in the affairs of men. And
there was nothing TO stay his impulses
Shortly after he came to this city
gossip had it that the domestic AFFAIRS
of the Rogers family were not all that
could be desired An obvious effort on
the part Of Rogers to avoid his friends
was noticed and commented on. He
sought seclusion when he could at
Fruit Grove, the farm which his mother
had owned in Suffern, y. \. This farm
figures prominently in the events that
led up TO the tragedy OF last week
No Higher Law" Obeyed.
In this city Rogers had gathered
about him a group of cronies. lie rec
ognized no higher authority than his
own impulses. morally speaking. What
he desired he took. If he could get II.
And he is credited with being past
master in the art of having his own
way.
1t was at that stage of his career
that Rogers became acquainted with
Arthur VI. Walters and his young and
pretty wife. Ida. While posing as a
firm friend Of the Walterses the law
yer was winning the love of the WON
an.
Why shouldn't he was his reason
ing. Had he not got what he wanted
always? What mattered il if the wom-
an did belong 10 another man? What
were the feelings OF Arthur Walters
to him? Why should he care if he
dragged a score Of fellow men TO per-
dition so long as he gained his own
ends? Was he not Lorlys Rogers, who
did exactly as he pleased? This was
his manner of settling the problem, ac
Quaintances say.
The course or Rogers's pursuit OF
Ida Walters has been related in detail
how he made himself agreeable in
countless ways and finally prevailed
upon her and her husband TO visit his
place in Suffcru He thought the coun-
try air would help her.
Now. up in Rockland County the
people have very definite idea Of
Rogers. They like him. He was a
pleasant spoken man and spent money
freely. According 10 the sentiment OF
his neighbors. Rogers could safely
trust himself in their hands in the
light Of any accusation.
Fruit Grove Almost Nalueless.
Fruit Grove is little ten room farm
cottage. situated on sixty-acre tract
OF stony land. II never could have
been worth much, and is understood
TO have been sold for taxes. Rogers
has not occupied il since 1909. The
house is in a dilapidated condition
and would hardly be worth repairing.
Those who are in position to know
say that the place was used more as a
camp than a home by Rogers and his
wife IL is beautifully LOCATED. with a
splendid view of the Ramapo Noun
tains. across miles Of rolling country
dotted with patches of small timber.
Parties which Rogers gave at the
farm were the talk of the countryside
Every week end in the summer brought
from ten TO twenty gay friends from
New York The names of many of the
guests are well remembered about
SuFern and no secret is made OF the
nature of the patherinos