Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, December 17, 1909, Image 1
VOL. IX MOTHER-IN-UW ■ MOTHER BOTH HELD IN SNE4DMYSTERY Mary Snead Also Arrest ed-Tell-Tale Notes Are Left iy Mrs. Martin in Her Flight From the Hotel. “THE END IS DEATH; I WOULD DIE,” SHE SAYS Missives She Left in Her Room Are Worded Like Sup posed •’Suicide” Note of Bathtub Victim. By JUsceiated Press.) NEW YORK. Dec. Caroline B. Martin, mother of Ocey Wardlaw-Mar tin-Snead. the victim of the East Orange hath tub tragedy, was today held by a magistrate here to await extradition to Xew Jersey. where she stands formally charged with the murder of her daugh ter. The prisoner was apparently on the verge of collapse as she stood before the bar of court and heard the charge against her read. Her stoicism speedily returned, however, and she faced the Judge wi’h indifference as he directed that she be returned to the Tombs. , Mrs. Mary Snead, sister of Mrs. Martin and mother-in-law of Ocey Snead, was arrested this afternoon on a warrant is sued by Recorder Nott, of East Orange. N. J., charging her with being a fugitive from justice In that she was implicated in the death of Ocey Snead. TALKS OF SUICIDE. Mr*. Caroline B. Martin. mother of Ocey Snead, the East Orange bath tub victim, talked of suicide and collapsed as •he was being led to a cell in the Mercer street police station early today. The ending is death," was Mrs. Mar tin's reported comment on the answer ot the detectives to her questions as to what the legal proceedings would be in her case. “I would welcome death,” the detectives reported her as continuing. ”1 am old and can't help anyone and am ot no use. I want to go to heaven." Mrs. Martin was arrested late last night cn a warrant issued in New Jersey, charging her with the murder of Ocey Snead, her daughter. Mrs. Martin's sis ter. Mias Virginia Wardlaw, has. since shortly after the sad tragedy in East Or ange. been a New Jersey prison cell m the action ot the grand jury on a similar charge. MISSING SINCE TRAGEDY. Mrs Martin has been missing since tne tragedy and her unexpected appearance and the circumstances leading up to her apprehension was a dramatic develop ment of a case sensational from the first. In her room tn the little hotel, where she was found after a diligent and protracted search, were three notes, the wording of which was almost identical with that ot the “suicide note" pinned to the clothing of Ocey Snead. The notes were written on paper of the same color and texture of that of the original suicide note and the handwriting was practically identical. Slight changes tn phraseology are all the differences noted. Taken from the hotel to police headquar ters. Mrs. Martin underwent a brief ex amination and then was transferred to the station house. On the way she talk ed rs tn bling! y and several times referred to Ocey Snead as “that poor girt” and "my daughter.” THREATENS SUICIDE. The word "suicide ' was frequently on her lips. There are hundreds of suicides even day, was her comment to the de tectives on the case of her daughter, and no attention would have neen paid to •this one.” she added, "except that the party had money.” 11* "SuIUIDF. LETTERS.” Further discoveries tn the room vacated by Mrs. Martin were made by the police today. It was stated that these included more than WO "suicide letters" purporting to have been written by Ocey Snead, many of them addressed to prominent ytew Yorkers, among whom were Mrs. Russell Sage and Mrs Clarence Burns, a well-known club woman. The letters were varied In phraseology hwt all of them soutuled the pathetic note of despair. One of them, addressed "to whoever finds this.” expressed dread of pain and concluded: • Nobody has harmed me and I have harmed nobody. I love everybody and everybody loves me. but I cannot endure physical agony." This letter was signed. Another letter, addressed "to my counsel and attorney.” was worded to Indicate that the writer feared the lapsing of her endowment in surance policies if she lived, through her inability to keep up the payments. The lawyers were instructed to "promptly col lect my insurance in cash and pay tt*over to my grandmother without requiring any bond or security from her.” This was signed in full. "Ocey Wardlaw-Martin- Snead.” LIFTS BLAME FOR DEATH. In still another, the writer addressed "my family." and declared that "no liv ing person is -L blame for my death or has had anything to do with causing my death." Two letters from Mrs Ocey Snead to her husband also were in the collection. One ot them was dated June 25 and the other September, last. The batch in cluded a will purporting to have been made by the bathtub victim, dated Sep tember 7, last, and directing that all of her property be turned over to her grand mother. Whqn the hour for her arraignment ar rived. Mrs Marfin was taken to the Tomba court. She again donned the four heavy veils which she wore last night but, notwithstanding this protection, whan she saw the group of photographers about the station, she protested against their presence, stating that she was being persecuted. She was permitted to send a telegram to Franklin W. Fort, her counsel, asking him to come to New York at once. The original of the telegram was retained by the police as a specimen of Mrs. Martin’s handwriting. Her extradition to New Jersey may depend upon establishment of •er presence in that state preceding the *-jdh of Gcey Snead. Action by the New Jersey authorities is awaited. Whether Mrs. Martin w..- consent to accompany the officers to East Orange or whether extradition proceed ing* would have to be resorted to had not been indicated prior to her arraign ment In the Tombs police court, where Continued On Page Three Uilwia Semi* Their Romance Halted on Eve of the Shedding , rOPWr Xw* MISB MADELINE SWIFT. SWIFT-STORER WEDDING IS CALLED OFF; SHE IS ILL When Young Atlantian Called Boston Admiral, Whose Pret ty Daughter He Was to Have Married, He Was Told the Ceremony Had Been Indefinitely Postponed . BOSTON, Mass.. Dec. 16.—illness ot tne prospective bride is the reason given by Real Admiral Swift, commandant ot the Charleston Navy yard, for the postpone ment of the wedding of hia daughter, Madeline Gray Swift, and Harry Duer Storer, of Atlanta, which was arranged to take place at the commandant's house at the navy yarfl on Saturday next. Six hundred wedding invitations have been recalled. Mr. Storer, tn Pittsburg, on his way to Boston, telephoned Admiral Swift that he would arrive here tomor row. when the admiral Informed him ot the inuetinlte postponement of the cere mony. Admiral Swift will remove after Christ mas to Washington, where he will serve as aide to Secretary of the Navy Meyer. Admiral Swift’s statement follows: •The wedding has been postponed on FIRST BILLOT OEIDLOCK IB BIG LME [LECTION Ward Gets Four Votes and Heydler Also Four— Com promise Asked. (By Ai»oci»t«d Prew.) , NEW YORK, Dec. 16.—The first baflot for president of the National league de veloped the expected deadlock. Four votes— Philadelphia. New York, Brooklyn and Chicago—were cast for »n —■ Ward, while Pittsburg. Boston, St. Louis, and Cincinnati voted for President Heyd ler. Mr. Brush suggested that a compromise candidate be elected, but Ebbetts a.— Murphy arose and declared against any one but Ward. John T. Brush rose from a sick bed today for the first time in many years atteridid a National league meeting. President Heydler withdrew from tne room when the meeting began. A heated argument in which friends in tervened, occurred between Charles W. Murphy and Ben Shibe, one ot the Phila delphia American owners, in a hotel cor ridor ever an Indianapolis player whom Shibe charged Murphy .ad captured by "unfair means." John M. Ward, in a remarkable state ment this afternoon, threw a new light on the contest for the presidency of the National league. He said: CHARGES PREARRANGED. “The first ballot resulted four votes for Mr. Heydler and four votes for myself and I think I am justified in saying that the future ballots will indicate a pre arrangement. The second ballot I be lieve will result in four votes for myself and four votes for R. W. Brown, of Louisville. "A third ballot will be taken with the same result, and then the magnates will undoubtedly agree to let the election stand over with Mr. Heydler still in the presidency. Though the league rules provide thst an election shall take place at this time. Then the magnates will select three of their members and this triumvirate will practically govern the organisation.” MEN TORN TO SHREDS BY AN EXPLOSION TULSA. Okla.. Dec. 16.—Torn to shreda by some high explosive, probably dyna mite, the bodies of ’two unidentified men were found on the bank of the Arkansas river near here last night. The appearance of the men's clothing, together with the fact that the Tulsa banks have a large supply of money on hand, led the authorities to believe that the men were bank robbers. It is thought that the men may have been killed by the accidental explosion of dynamite they carried with them to blow bank safes. They may have been mem bers of the gang who robbed the Paoli bank yesterday, the officers believe. $250,000 IN STAMPS BLOWN FROM POUCH PITTSBURG. Dec. 16.—Over $250,00C worth of internal revenue tax-paid whis ky stamps, the property of the govern ment. were mutilated or blown away to day when the Iron arm attached to a mail car of a fast train failed properly to connect with a registered mail bag and threw it under the wheels. The accident occurred at Gibsonton, near here, and only a few of the stamps have been recovered by the government agents Rural Carriers Named WASHINGTON. D. C.. Dec. 16.-The fol lowing rural carriers have been appoint ed: Allapahama. Route 3, Wiley J. Cham bless. carrier; no sub. Manassas. Route 2. Willis A. Hodrss. •srrisr; Philip P, nedgss. sub. ilk wb w* * * I HARRY D. STORER. account of the illness of my daughte.’. She has been confined to her bed tor a day, suffering from nervousness. Mr. Storer has been notified Os the illness of Miss Swift, and of the postponement of the wedding. While the wedding may take place at a later date, it will not take place here, as 1 leave for Washington a week from Monday.” It was said at the navy yard that Miss Swift was in apparently good health on Tuesday. Harry D. Storer, who only recently con firmed for The Journal the telegraphic story that he and Miss Madeline Swift were to be married, is with the Westing house Machine company, with offices in the Candler building and lives on North Boulevard at the Nelson home. Mr. Storer left Atlanta last week for the east. SAID BROKAW CALLED HIS WIFEJE LIMIT” Finland Servant and Other Servants Are Again at Alimony Hearing. (By Associated Press.) NEW YORK, Dec. 16.—1 f Mrs. Mary Blair Brokaw's lawyers make up their minds today that they have presented sufficient evidence for her. W. Gould Bro kay, her husband, will take the stand to testify for himself in Mrs. Brokaw’s suit for a separation and alimony. Mrs. Brokaw's story of the conflicts, verbal and otherwise, between himself and his young wife, was awaited with interest, increased by having been so picturesquely detailed by her during six days of practically continuous occupancy of the witness chair. When counrt opened today, however, there still remained for his wife’s counse. a gathering up of the ends of the evi dence and a further effort to establish facts concerning Mr. Brokaw’s material possessions. There was a prospect that today would witness a continuation of the vein of the comedy which featured the proceedings late yesterday. Mina Lahti, the quaint little maid from Finland, who testified that Mr. Brokaw called his wife "the limit” and even shorter and uglier names, was again in court, and other servants ol the Brokaw establishment were expected to testify in corroboration of Mrs. Bro kaw’s story. John F. Mclntyre, counsel for Mr. Bro kaw. has complained during the trial that he was unable to get direct replies to the questions he asked Mrs. Brokaw. To day the attorney presented a compilation of questions, he had propounded to which evasive answers were returned. There were no less than 1,246 of them. "On one occasion I asked her 69 ques tions before I got a responsive answer," the lawyer declared. WHITE ENTERS DENIAL. A letter from Lieutenant Governoi White was read tjy Mr. Mclntyre, in which the former entered a denial that he had had any hand in the arrangements for the wedding of Mr. Brokaw and Miss Blair in Syracuse. Mrs. Brokaw, recalled to the stand, was asked to figure up the items which made the $30,000 which Brokaw spent on her during the first year of their mar ried life. As she enumerated her en gagement ring, which she said cost $7,000 and which she did not get until after her marriage, a diamond necklace which cost $2,000. and other articles of use and ornament, Mr. Mclntyre, with a paper in in his hand, apparently containing a list of the articles, carefully checked off the items. Counsel for Brokaw are searching foi Walter By ford, secretary to Mr. Brokaw, to testify that Brokaw actually sent the numerous telegrams to Mrs. Brokaw. POLICE UNABLE TO FIND ONE CLUE OF CHILD LOUISVILLE. Ky.. Dec. 16—Although it is a week and a day since Alma Kell ner disappeared, the police today were without a clew and were inclined to await devlopments which they hope will follow the offer of $3,000 reard. The police today for the second time visited every house in the Kellner neigh borhood, in the hope of picking up some information that might lead to a clew. Gordon Dead of Auto Hurt LONDON, Dec. 16.-The Hon. Archibald Gordon, son of the Earl of Aberdeen, died today from injuries received in an auto mobile accident Mr, w»» hern i n IM4. ATLANTA. GEORGIA. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17. 1909 KING LEOPOLD WORSE; HE SIJFFERSJ RELAPSE Word Comes From Cham ber That Aged Monarch Hasn’t Rallied BRUSSELS. Dec. 15.—The death ot King Leopold appears immnent. He had a distinct relapse this evening and is being kept alive through artificial means. Tubes have been inserted in the intestines to fulfill the functions, the natural operation of which has been stopped by paralysis. Court circles have practically no hope of the patient’s survival. The condition King Leopold, who was operated on yesterday for the re moval of an obstruction of the intestines, took a turn for the worse this afternoon. The morning bulletin was hopeful in tone, declaring the patients state as "stationary.” During the night he had held his own apparently. In the middle of the after noon, word came from the sick chamber that bis majesty had suffered a relapse. CONFIDENCE WANES. Popular confidence in the ultimate re covery of King Leopold waned today. His unexpected survival of yesterday s oper ation had encouraged anticipation of good news today. The day was in keeping with the pre vailing pessimism. The air cold and raw, with a heavy snowfall drifting in the streets. A handful of newspaper men braved the storm and kept watch before the simple Bouse near the royal palace. In spite of reports made officially this morning that the royal patient had a fair night the general feeling remained one 01 depression. Dr. DePage remained at the bedside throughout the night, while two nurses were at hand prepared to wait up on his majesty. The latter, however, was obdurate and insisted that his faith ful valet. Rajart, should attend to his wants. Dr. GoOssens, whom Leopold called “that ferocious Goossens” because the physician forbade him to talk, comes and goes at regular intervals and sees to it that the king does not waste his strength in interviews and conversations. This evening there appeared to be no immediate danger of death, but the king had experienced a return of an old in testinal complication and it was feared that this would militate against the ulti mate success of yesterday’s operation. It was reported that Leopold declined to see his daughter, Stephanie. Countess Lonyay, the king’s second daughter, ar rived here today, but it was rumored that she was not allowe dto see her father because of his weakness. SKETCH OF KING’S LIFE . King Leopold is the most ruinous and most despised figure in world affairs for the last 20 years. Behind the mind of this man, who at once is profligate, monarch and despot. Is a genius for acquisition and organi zation. His wealth is estimated at fully 1500,000.000. Leopold was horn April 9, 1835, and has ben king for 44 years. Doubtless the ver dict of Europe that Leopold has been One of the most persistent seekers after pleasure of any monarch of the last two centuries. DISSIPATED IN PARIS. He was for years a notable figure in the under world of Paris. Leopold has no liv ing son. The death of the only inale off spring of his marriage with Maria Hen riette of Austria. Prince Leopold 111, count of Hainault, who at the age of 10 was seized with a fatal illness, was the great disappointment of his life. Marla Henriette died in 1902, leaving three daughters. The eldest daughter is Prin cess Louise, and is married to Prince Philip of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The only brother of King Leopold, Prince Philip Eugene, died four years ago leaving two daughters and a son. The son. Prince Albert of Flanders, is the recognized heir to the vacant throne. He is declared to be far superior to the king in ability. SOME VIRTUES. If throughout his long career King Leo pold has been a cold-blooded, self-seek ing voluptuary and money-grabber, he has some redeeming virtues. For more than 40 years he kept a promise to his mother never to sign a death warrant. He willed to the people of Belgium his colossal interests in the Congo. When many years younger Leopold was a master horseman; he was, too, an ar dent politician, a first rate linguist and a clever public speaker. But all his accomplisnments pale into Insignificance in comparison with his financiering ability and especially with his manipulations which earned for him the title of "The Vampire of the Congo.” Leopold is the developer of the indus tries of the Congo Free State, and un less a host of creditable witnesses have told lies about him, Leopold was one of the most sinister and terrible figures to be met in conection with the blood-stain ed annals of the dark continent. HIS BUSINESS SENSE. Leopold’s business acumen made him ambitious to wield an influence beyond the borders of his little kingdom, and so he set about to exploit the Congo state when reports of its natural resources were brought to Europe by explorers. He established an empire there, auto cratic and domineering. He invested, all told, something like $6,000,000, and he drew from his speculations over $5,000,000 a year. His profits arose exclusively from his loot of the ivory trade and from his exaction of an enormous tribute from the India rubber business. In the highlands of the Congo he set out to develop the gold mining industry through the operations of T. F. Walsh, of Colorado, who was practically the king’s business manager and silent part ner. Convict Camp Praised AMERICUS. Ga., Dec. 16. legisla tive investigation committee appointed to inspect the state convict camps, made a thoroit&h inspection Wednesday ot the Sumter camps, and hearuly commended Supt. Robert Christian thereupon. Mrs. M. T. Greene Dead ATHENS, Ga„ Dec. 16.—Mrs. M. T. Greene died at her home in this city, yesterday afternoon, after an illness of some weeks. Much Money Present NEW YORK. Dec. 16.—Forty-two men. representing interests capitalized at $600,- 000,000, were the guests at the Hotel As tor late last night at the annual dinner of the National Commercial Gas associa tion. The association is holding its an nual meeting in New York this week.. BROWNSVILLE BOARD HEARS FIRED SOLDIERS WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.—The taking of testimony of such discharged members of the Twenty-fifth Infantry as desired to appear before the Brownsville court of Inquiry to have their status deter mined under the Forake* •“* *•* qua luday toy Um court. PHENIX SAYS STOCKDELL IS SHORT $50,000; FRIENDS DECLARE COMPANY WON’T LOSE CENT New York Official Says Prop erty Local Official Gave to Company Is Insufficient to Cover Loss. EXISTED PRIOR TO 1907, HE DECLARES Says Sheldon Knew of It, but Said Nothing Until Investi gation--Asked Another Offi cer to “Charge It Off.” (By Associated Press.) NEW YORK, Dec. 16.—The alleged shortage of about $50,000 at the Atlanta agency of the Phenix (Fire) Insurance company of Brooklyn, by the state insur ance department, will make no difference, the department says, in the general con dition of the company as recently report ed. The alleged shortage was taken into account when the general report was made. The department in the report regarding the Atlanta agency, says that it has not yet completed its examination of the com pany’s home office and knows the facts as to the Atlanta situation only from tes timony during the progress of the inves tigation of the home office. EXAMINE OTHER AGENCIES. The examiners of the department are now. busy here with the affairs of the company’s Chicago office and other gen eral agencies outside New York. , As soon as they can be spared, the ex aminers, it is announced, will visit these agencies and conditions at Atlanta will then be probed more closely. The depart ment says that more than $20,000 can be realized on the property turned over by Harry Stockdell, who was general agent at Atlanta, of the company for 20 years. His successor was appointed a week ago. Henry Evans, chairman of the executive committee of the Phenix Insurance com pany, of Brooklyn, for the directors, makes the following statement: EVANS’ STATEMENT. "We have known of the Stockdell short age from the time I came into the situ ation and the company has been secured to the extent that seems possible at this time by Mr. Stockdell’s turning over to it his residence and such other property as he has. The value of this property has not yet been determtoed; it may be $20,000 or nj®re. "Itt any event, the amount is not large and without any credit for the value of the property turned over to us, I still be lieve the company has, besides its large reserve for unearned premuims and other liabilities full stated, a capital intact of $1,500,000 and a net surplus of $500,000, and I am willing personally to buy the stock of the company on this basis. “The work of house cleaning and re habilitation is going on as rapidly as possible and to our satisfaction. The Phenix policyholders are safer today than they have been for years past.” Stockdell Ousted Because of $50,000 Shortage Here BROOKLYN, N. Y., Dec. 16.—State Su perintendent of Insurance William H. Hotchkiss, of New York, has called the attention of Comptroller General William A. Wright, of Georgia, to a shortage of approximately $50,000 in the Atlanta office of the Phenix Insurance company, of Brooklyn. Superintendent Hotchkiss said yesterday: "The shortage existed prior to January 1, 1907. The company’s representatives hold certain property turned over by Mr. Stockdell at the time. Such property is not thought to be enough to balance the shortage. Mr. Sheldon was informed of the shortage in January, 1907. He did not report it to the company’s directors or mention it until just as the present exam ination began. "He then mentioned it to another officer of the company and asked that the amount be charged off. The officer de clined to do this. The department has not yet completed the examination of the home office, and knows the facts as to this shortage only from testimony taken in the progress of the examination. As soon as possible, examiners will proceed to At lanta and get at the facts. I have brought the substance of the testimony taken by the department to the attention of Commissioner Wright, of Georgia." SHELDON ONLY PASSIVE. Former President Sheldon’s participa tion in the alleged irregularities in the Atlanta office said to have been passive, the reason for his acquiescence being the fear for his own safety. An insurance of- Continued On Page Three WRIGHT WINES TO KNOW IF PHENIX IS SOLVENT Comptroller General to Take No Action for the Present in Phenix Case. Comptroller General William A. Wright, the Georgia insurance commislsoner, who the New York dispatches say has been advised on the local developments in Phenix affairs by the insurance com missioner of New York, stated Thursday morning that he had in the morning’s mail received an o”lcial communication from the New York officer advising him confidentially of the conditions that the public already knows. General Wright added that the communication contained nothing additional to the public informa tion already at hand. The insurance commission of Georgia, says General Wright, is interested only in the solvency of companies operating in this state, and is authorized to act when their solvency is impaired bj suspending them from business here till their, condition is made good. On Wednesday afternoon General Wright dispatched a telegram to the New York insurance commissioner, asking him if the investigation of the Phenix af fairs had progressed far enough to deter mine whether or not the company is sol vent. Beyond that point, says the commis sioner, his offic* is not’ interested. Offi cially it does not take cognizance of agents or departments, but deals always direct' with the head offices •* •»» -<>mr smuuss opsrquag la Uis sM4< In Center of Limelight HABBY C. STOCKDELL. NO AHEMPT MADE TO CONCEALSAYS HARD Thinks Deficiency Fully Se cured by Stockdell, and That He Will Be Exonerated. • Maj. Charles F. Hard, who succeeds Capt. Harry C. Stockdell in the Atlanta office of the Phenix In surance company, was called upon by a Journal representative Thursday morning, and asked for a statement re garding the entire situation. He seemed reluctant to discutes the matter, saying that it was too early for him to make any definite declaration in reference to the charges against his predecessor, H. C. Stockdell, whom he succeeded as general agent of the Phoenix company, in At lanta, about a week ago. "I am expecting an expert accountant from New York to begin a thorough, care ful and systematic examination of the books in this office today,” he said, “and until this is completed I can, of course, say nothing with certainty and assur ance. "I have seen the dispatch sent out by the Associated Press, under date from New York, and I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of the facts as set out In it regarding the shortage. “That this so-called shortage in the ac counts of the Atlanta office existed for some years Is undoubtedly true, and I knew of it when I -flame to Atlanta, and spoke to Mr. Stockdell about it when I took charge. NO ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL. “There never was, so far as I can un derstand, any attempt on Mr. Stockdell’s part to conceal the fact that the defi ciency existed, and it has been carried in his returns to the home office in New York as so much due the company. AU this was, of course, with the full knowl edge and presumably with the consent of the heads of the company. “What understanding there was between George P. Sheldon, former president ot the company, and Mr. Stockdell, I cannot say, as I have no knowledge of its na ture. "That the shortage is secured fully by Mr. Stockdell, and in a manner that Zs satisfactory to the home office, must be so. Os course, not knowing the amount or details of the affair, I cannot say if the figures reach $45,000 or $50,000 as an nounced in the New York dispatches, but I presume that these figures must be approximately accurate. "While I cannot say whether or not the statement regarding Mr. Stockdell’s having turned over certain property to the company to secure the shortage is correct, it is safe to presume that this is aHIJLLON BVM NOCIT3HS so. \ “I wired the company that Mr. Shel don had received this security from Mr. Stockdell, and they have not replied to my telegram, so I suppotee that all satisfactory. “It is my understanding that there are items on the other side of the books, charged against the company by Mr. Stockdell, which he expected to be m«B by the company and which have not yet been allowed. It is probably due to these items that the alleged ‘shortage’ is, in a great measure, due. "I have the highest regard for Mr. Stockdell. and am certain that the matter will be adjusted to his complete exon eration and absolution from all blame.” STOCKDELL WORTH LESS THIN Illi,llo IN FULTON Records Show That in Fulton His Holdings Are Not Great. The records of Fulton county show that on November 24 H. C. Stockdell trans ferred to M. L Thrower the property on the northwest corner of Pryor street and Trinity avenue, known as 111 South Pryor street, fronting 50 feet on that street and having a depth of 108 feet on Trinity avenue. This property was the old Stockdell home place, where Mr Stockdell continued to live until he b< n~ht bis present home on Peachtree. He came into possession of it in 1888. The consideration paid is shown by the records to have been $17,000. including the buyer’s assumption of a mortgage exe cuted in 1895. for $4,000 to the estate o1 Julius Dreyfus, and a second mortgage executed in 1900 for slo.tt'o to jhe trustee for Susan A. Trippe. A net return of $3,000 was therc'u <• real ized by Mr. Stockdell on this i> >r ty. The records of the city tax <.>-s jt’" office show that H. C. Stockdell pays taxes on the following prope ty: Four houses. Nos. 150. is?, 151 Foundry street, and 268 Haynes street, a: the cor ner of those two streets; asrtwd valua tion $1,500. Two houses, Nos. 156 at d 158 Foundry street, assessed valuation J.-ho. The house and lot at 11! Pryor street, 4*q&sf«r*th* hv Mi Stockdeib Qm vu*eS »• » ML 4 Former Atlanta Local Mana ger Says Charges Are Un warranted and Unfair and He Will Explain Matter. EXPERT ACCOUNTANT HERE TO INVESTIGATE RECORDS ■ Friends Say Company Got Benefit of Every Cent He Spent and That He Is Able to Make Complete Statement The Phenix Insurance company of NsW York will not lose a penny from any al leged discrepancies to exist in the Atlanta, office of the company under the adminis tration of Local Manager Harry C. Stock delL This announcement, following fast upon the charge of an alleged shortage of $50,- 000, comes from an authority that can not ba questioned. It is further stated on authority that all money not accounted for to the com pany has been spent by former Manager* Stockdell In what he considered a wise and judicious effort to build up the busi ness of the company he represented in its southern territory. It is further stated that the manage ment of the Phenix Insurance company has known for a number of years of an overdraft in the Atlanta office and con sented to accept certain collateral from Manager Stockdell three years ago, which, at that time, it is said, was am ple to protect the company from any loss. Since the transfer of this collateral by Mr. Stockdell, he has handled more than $3,000,000 in cash and until the change in management of the affairs of the Phe nix recently, his conduct of the Atlanta office is said to have been satisfactory and his relations to the home office most cordial. PERSONAL FIGHT IB MADE. Friend of Mr. Stockdell regard the charges against his conduct as manager of the local office somewhat as the result of personal ill-will toward him on the part of President E. W. T. Gray, who Is a nephew of Henry Evans, chairman of the executive board of the Phenix com pany. Both Evans and Gray have been offi cials in non-tariff companies. Prior to his connection with the Phenix Mr. Gray was with the Continental Insurance com pany, and as an officer of that concern it is said waged war upon Manager Stock dell, of a tariff company, and at one time president of the Tariff association. This campaign between the two men has brought about an animus that has be-sn realized by both factions for years. Immediately upon the ascendency to th* presidency of the Phenix, President Gray and Chairman Evans, his uncle, issued an order dismissing Manager Stockdell in Atlanta and appointing Ma jor Hard, of Greenville, S. C., in his stead. Following this action came the charges of the alleged shortage of approximately $50,000 in the office of Mr. Stockdell. MR. STOCKDELL’S STATEMENT. Former Manager Stockdell said, when told of the charges in New York: "The suggestion in the charges are un warranted and unfair to me. I am suro that I will be able soon to make a state ment that will be entirely satisfactory to my friends.” Further than this Manager Stockdell declined to discuss the matter, adding that he was acting under the advlcq of his attorney, Hon. John M. Slaton, who is now in New York. With friends, however, Mr. Stockdell has talked freely about the charges, and has satisfied them, at least, that what ever money might have been handled without being accounted for was spent in an earnest and conscientious effort to ad vance the interests of the company tn the territory controlled by the local man ager. It is known that Mr. Stockdell has nev er speculated and that he has not ac cumulated property even as much as his position and salary might have entitled him to. DENY ANY CRIMINAL INTENT. Speaking for Mr. Stockdell, a prominent Atlantian stated Thursday that there could be no question but that Mr. Stock dell had acted in good faith and with high business integrity in the conduct ot his business affairs with the Phenix. "There may be discrepancies in the af fairs of the office.” he said, "and I take this for granted, as Mr. Stockdell frankly admits the company has for years known of a difference in the reports of the At lanta office and the home Office, but I have absolute knowledge that Harry Stockdell has not been a financial gainer ’ by such a condition. The money has been spent simply in what Mr. Stockdell thought was a wise administration of the affairs of the company he represented and • of this his superiors had full knowledge.' “There would have never been any charges preferred but for the change In management and the peculiar fact that I the head office is now under the control of gentlemen who are known as not only unfriendly, but persistent enemies of the Atlanta manager until his dismissal.” Mr. Stockdell’s Statement The following statement is issued by H. C. Stockdell. ex-general agent of the Phenix, in Atlanta, in which he declare* the charges and allegations against h m are unfair: “The suggestions in the charges are un warranted and unfair to me. I am sure that I will be able soon to make a state ment that will be entirely satisfactory tc my friends. H. C. STOCKDELL." [ROY POLICE ARE INFORMED The police were required Thursday to keep a lookout for Roy Barrett, the ”2- vear old son of, J A. Barrett, of 457 White hall street. The w jy left home Wednes- f day morning for school and has rx>t been I’ seen or heard from since. His father fears he has left town. frontins 7’l feet on Peachtree with a depth • i of Y«) feet, aeses-.-rd valuation $12.0001 The last cited i icee of property la said to h* worth about $20,000 on the market today. Mr. Stockdell having bought It for $14,000 about five yeara ago, and h«*rta< ma 4« »"tn* *8 H aiMA W NO. 27.