The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-28
BROKER THORNB Is
INDICTED AS PORCER
Accused Of Elaborate Frauds
in Getting Cash for Bogus
Mortgage.
HUNT NOW NATIONWIDE

Richard Van wyck Thorne. the mort
gage broker and real estate operator Of
100 Broadway who has beon missing
since December 16. has been indicted.
A general alarm was issued yesterday
calling on the police Of tire country to
arrest and hold him for forgery and
grand larceny.
In a letter sent to Gilbert II. Mon
tague. a lawyer Of 40 Wall street. who
brought the case to the attention Of the
District Attorney. Thorne confessed. II
IL said. to having defrauded. Mr.. Mon
tagie by inducing him to loan money on
q forged mortgage. In the same letter
Thor ne wrote that he had one West on
o hunting trip and might meet with a
fatal accident. Norman w. kerngood
OF AZ broadway. Thorne's lawyer. who
delivered the letter. believes the missing
man has committed suicide.
The total amount Of Mr.. Montague's
loss Is s92. 900. He received a payment
OF SIS, 200 from Mrs. Thorne when she
heard his story. The charge against
Thorne Is based on only n transaction.
however. This was "A Sc. 900 loan he
obtained from Mr.. Montague on Deem
Der rs. 1914. on a mortgage on property
at 1886 Broadway owned by the Elkon
Realty Corporation.
Hisb standing ~ . shield.
According to the Information on which
the Indictment Is based. ThOrne COM
mitted forgeries and was not suspected
because he bore a high reputation as q
mortgage broker. had many wealthy
clients and employed several smaller
brokers. 1t il alleged that his scheme
OF operations was more complete than
anything that has come to light In some
time.
Evidence presented TO the Grand Jury
indicated hat not only were bonds and
mortgages forged. but thai the title poll
cies OF a local title company were also
forged. II is alleged that one sheet Of
an old policy wac used with substituted
entries and several printed sheets added.
supporting to be a description OF the
. title. The seal OF the County Clerks
office. the stamp Of the Register of
Deeds, even the fee stamps. were forged.
II was charged. The only genuine thing,
It was alleged. Vns the appraisal Thorne
got from a real estate firm OF the fore
most standing.
Mr.. Montague grew suspicious when
1fhorne failed to pay $50 interest on
December 10. lie kOl III lOuCH Win
Thorne Immediately.
Mrs. Thorne made a frantic ffort to
save her husband. 1t was she who re-
turned to Mr.. Montague $1,000 Of the
$21 900 involved In Montague's trans
actions with Thorne n even offered
him bonds in her own name. These were
insufficient.
Wrote Letter board Train.
Meantime Thorne disappeared. The
mole which Mr.. Kerngood delivered to
Nj. Montague was mailed on a west
bound train and was written on sta
tionery Of the Now York Central Rail-
road.
The next day Mr. Montague com
menced a thorough search and found two
more unsatisfactory mortgages. He i'm
mediately notified the District Attorneys
office. While detectives were sent out
10 look for Thorne his case was laid be-
fore the Grand Jury. On the evidences
presented the indictment was found
charging first degree forgery, conviction
for which carries with It a sentence OF
twenty years In prison, and grand lar.
ceny.
Mr.. Montague made the following
statement last night:
A dealings OF Thorne with me OF
my office previous to the irregular trans.
actions just discovered appear. after
thorough investigation, to have beer
perfectly regular. In order to accom-.
plish these irregular transactions bonds
corporate seals, certificates
OF the register of deeds. certificates od
title. clos ng certificates and title poll
cies Of a local title company all had tc
be forged and numerous individuals has
TO be i~mpersonated. Fortunately. 10 IA,