15667. Commercial Bank (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: August 12, 1893
Location: New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 3e26faff

Response Measures

None

Description

The Commercial Bank (New York) suspended payments on or about 1893-08-12 after the National Bank of New York refused to act as its correspondent and after heavy deposit withdrawals. The State Superintendent/examiner took possession and a temporary receiver (W. N. Dykman) was appointed; the bank did not resume and was wound up under receivership (assets sold, dividends paid later). I classify this as suspension_closure (suspension followed by permanent closure/receivership).

Events (4)

1. August 12, 1893 Suspension

Cause: Correspondent
Cause Details: The National Bank of New York refused to act as correspondent/clearing agent for the Commercial Bank; combined with large deposit withdrawals leading directors to close the bank temporarily.
Newspaper Excerpt: This Bank is Closed Temporarily ... At the close of banking hours yesterday the National Bank of New York ... refused to act for the Commercial Bank after to-day. The deposits at the Commercial Bank have decreased very largely for the last month ... the directors to close the bank this morning
Source: newspapers

2. August 13, 1893 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: This bank having closed its doors, I have taken possession of its affairs and commenced an examination into its condition. CHARLES M. PRESTON, Superintendent of Banks. Mr. Judson told the reporters that his assistants were at work on the books ... W. N. Dykman will continue to serve as temporary receiver (later articles).
Source: newspapers

3. January 4, 1894 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: A second dividend, amounting to 16 2-3 per cent, was paid to the depositors in the defunct Commercial Bank yesterday by the receiver, Mr. Dykman.
Source: newspapers

4. March 9, 1894 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: COMMERCIAL BANK ASSETS SOLD FOR CASH. Five of the directors of the suspended Commercial Bank have agreed to purchase from the receiver, W. N. Dykman, the growing indebtedness of $127,000 for $120,000.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (15)

1. August 13, 1893 The Sun New York, NY

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

This Bank is Closed Temporarily J.J. VAIL, Cashier. There had not been the slightest rumor that the bank was in any financial strait. and even until the closing hours on Friday depositors kept putting in their money. The people who mainly do business with the Commercial are builders. contractors. and boss mechanics. and the closing of the bank on Saturday was a source of special inconvenionce to them. as the money to pay their employees is usually drawn out upon that day. There was consequentiy a small army of depositors around the bank doors at the accustomed hour of opening. and they indulged in varied adjectives on reading the announcement of temporary suspension. Inasmuch as the institution was regarded as one of the most solid in the State. the surprise extended be. yond those directly interested and caused a brief panic among the customers of the other banks. This quickly subsided. however. when it became known that no other local bank was in any way affected by the Commercial's trouble. The action of the directors was se sudden that even W. M. Dykman. counsel of the bank. was not consulted about the matter until resterday morning. He said: "This has been a complete surprise to me. as I knew nothing about it. and. for that mattor. nobody did until the exchanges had been made this morning. Then it was found that there was not enough money to transact the day's business." Mr. Dykman assured the anxious depositors that he was confldent the emburrassment would only be for a short time and that they would all get their money in full. t 11:45 o'clock this official statement was given out by David A. Barnett. who is law counsel for the bank: At the close of banking hours yesterday the National Bank of New York, National Banking Association, through which the Commercial Bank has heretofore transacted its business with the New York Clearing House, refused to act for the Commercial Bank after to-day The deposits at the Commercial Bank have decreased very largely for the last month. This decrease of deposits. with other causes. determined the directors 10 close the bank this morning About three years when Mr. Keeney became President. there were large overdrafts, which the previous administration of the aftairs of the bank had permitted to be made. These have been decreased. and the directors of the bank. under the lead of Mr. Keeney. made good the losses. Since Mr. Keeney became President the bank has lost considerably less than $10,000. The President and directors have been constdent of their ability to make the bank a success and have been prevented only by the unexpected with. drawal of deposits. There should be enough to pay ail depositors and shareholders. This was quickly followed by the posting of the following notice by Chief Bank Examiner A. C. Judson: This bank having closed its doors, I have takes possession of its affairs and commenced an examination into Its condition. CHARLES M. PRESTON, Superintendent of Banks. Mr. Judson told the reporters that his assistants were at work on the books but that he would not be able to make a detailed statement for at least four or five days. The overdrafts referred to were made about four years ago by ex-Alderman Paul C. Grening. an extensive real estate speculator and at present the proprietor of a hotel in Saratoga. and by G. L. Hassell. a teller in the New York Clearing House. When Mr. Seth L. Keeney became President three years ago ho and his fellow directors put up $80,000 to meet the notes. but just what loss they sustained by the overdraits has not been ascertained. Mr. Grening gave the bank as collateral $100,000 in mortgage. on all his property to secure the directors. It is said that it was not until yesterday morning that Mr. Keeney despaired of bridging over the present difficulties. He found that money could only be secured at a big premium. and that he could not dispose of his own valuable securities except at a low figure. This he did not think he could be fairly called up in to do This is the last quarterly statement of the bank. made June 1:

2. August 26, 1893 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, August 26, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. Many fine trees were blown down in Prospect Park by the gale of Thursday morning, and considerable damage was caused to others by the breaking of branches. The recent heavy rains have filled the lake to the high-water mark from the low level at which it was earlier in the summer, about 125,000,000 gallons of water being added to the supply. A statement of the affairs of the suspended Commercial Bank will probably be made public on Monday, as it is expected that the examination by the State Banking Department will be completed by that time. Richard McDonald, of Plymouth and Bridge sts., who was fatally injured on Thursday by falling from a cart at Hamilton-ave. and Henry-st., died yesterday at the Long Island College Hospital.

3. September 11, 1893 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA

Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 11, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

CONDENSED DISPATCHES. Fire destroyed two business blocks at Camby, Minn., Friday night. Loss, $200,000. Mrs. Maria E. L Kip,widow of the late Bishop E. Kip, died at San Francisco Friday, aged 81 years. Hon. Joseph Dysert, of Dysart, Ia, lieutenant. governor of Iowa from 1874 until 1878, died Fri. day morning. The whisky trust directors and Eastern commission dealers have so far been unable to reach an agreement. Thousands of people are hungry in Yonkers, N. Y., where there are 10,000 unemployed hat. ters and carpetmakers. Machette & Kenyon, New York brokers, have obtained a judgment of $102,263 against Walter G. Campbell, of San Francisco. Congressman Bourke Cockran is suffering from nervous exhaustion and is resting at his country house at Sand Point, N. Y. Two blocks of stores and dweilings at Bald. win, Wia. were burned Thursday night. Loss $100,000. Many families are homeless. The grand nephew of the Mikado of Japan, Prince Yoritiho Romatsu, was presented to the president and members of the cabinet Saturday. The receiver of the wrecked Commercial bank of New York says the institution lost $160,000 through investment in the Kevin mine, Colo. rado. The president is still appointing non-resident Southerners to office in the territories, and there is much talk in the senate of rejecting some of the appointees. Mrs. Adam Bollinger, of Pollasky. Cal., was killed Thursday morning by an Irrigating water wheel, which caught her clothes and whirled her around with it. Jake Schaefer and Frank Ives have been matched to play a game of 14-inch balk-line billiards for $2,500, November 28 to December 2, inclusive, at Chicago. The waysand means committee continued its hearings Friday, listening to manufacturers in. terested in Swedish iron billets and blooms, jute, buttons, hope and curled hair. The High Court of Foresters will meet at Mer. iden, Cosn, in 1895. An effort will be made to compel the Ancient Order of Foresters of America, an opposition order, to drop the title. Fire at Cayuene, Cal., Friday morning de. stroyed the whole business portion of the town except two buildings. The Odd Fellows building was burned. Loss, $50,000; insurance, $20,000. The new Cunard steamship Luciana made her maiden trip between Queenstown and New York in 5 days, 15 hours, 46 minutes. Considering that her machinery is yet etiff, this is a remark. able performance. Secretary Herbert has issued an order reprimanding the officers responsible for the deplorable condition of the cruiser Atlants, on which a tire occurred while the vessel was at Norfolk navy yard. The secretary says the fire was directly traceable to the carelessness of Capt. Edward E. Potter, commandaut of Norfolk HAVY yard, Capt. John R. Barkett and Chief En. giseer Hugh H. Cline, U. 5. N.

4. September 14, 1893 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, September 14, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. Judge Pratt has appointed John L. Hill the referee to take testimony in the suit of the Atlantic Avenue Railroad Company to recover $82,000 from the Long Island Railroad Company. This sum, it is alleged, is due in percentages upon express charges, commutation tickets and through fares for passengers on the portion of the road run by the latter company over tracks owned by the former. The public-school teachers are paid for June, July and August on June 30. and this year checks were given to them on the Commercial Bank. The rule of the Board of Education is that all such checks must be deposited in five days, but some of the teachers failed to do this. The bank suspended on 'August 12 and the unpaid checks will not be honored unless the bank resumes or the depositors are paid in full. Dr. W. E. Sylvester, medical superintendent of the County Insane Asylum, reported to the Commissioners of Charities and Correction yesterday that the assistant physicians, Waldron and Porter, who were charged with desecrating a corpse, had handed in their resignations and admitted their guilt. Dr. Sylvester said that he would have dismissed them at once if they had not. resigned, as such conduct as theirs would not be tolerated.

5. September 20, 1893 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, September 20, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

THE BANK DEPOSITORS NOT TO ACT YET. There is no present intention on the part of the depositors of the Commercial Bank to ask the Grand Jury to look into the management of the affairs of that institution. Time will be taken to see what the directors and stockholders will do to pay the depositors, and what the Bank Superintendent will do in regard to the wrecking of the bank. Mr. Dykman, the receiver, received yesterday from the Bank of New-York the rest of the $314,000 in discounted paper taken as security the day before the Commercial Bank suspended, and $7,300 in cash which had been collected over and above the amount required to cash the checks paid through the Clearing House. Six of the eight directors have paid their notes of $10,000 each to make good the impairment of the capital three years ago. The twenty days for which the temporary receiver was appointed have expired, but instead of applying to make the receiver's appointment permanent, application will be made to allow him to act twenty days longer. Another meeting of the depositors will be held on Friday evening.

6. October 1, 1893 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, October 1, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

NO PERMANENT RECEIVER YET. THE APPOINTMENT POSTPONED IN HOPE OF AN AGREEMENT BY THOSE INTERESTED IN THE COMMERCIAL BANK. The appointment of a permanent receiver for the suspended Commercial Bank was postponed for thirty days yesterday by Judge Pratt, in the Supreme Court, in the hope that the directors, stockholders and depositors may agree upon a plan for resumption of business. Meanwhile W. N. Dykman will continue to serve as temporary receiver. An application for an associate receiver was made in behalf of some of the depositors, but decision regarding it was reserved. Deputy Attorney-General Hogan applied for the appointment of a permanent receiver. Horace Graves, for the organized depositors, presented an affidavit setting forth that the deponents, the committee of the depositors, represented $300,000. They desired an immediate winding up of the affairs of the bank, and expressed fear lest Receiver Dykman should not be impartial, by reason of his former intimate relations with the bank officials. A summary of the affairs of the bank was presented, setting forth that the deficit to be made good would be $350,000, instead of $110,695 65, as figured by the directors, and that the bank had been insolvent for four years, while the directors had knowingly made false reports and had manipulated the assets of the bank in a suspicious manner. Counsel for the receiver denied the allegations of Mr. Graves. David Barnett, who appeared for the directors, wanted the matter adjourned for six weeks, so that the bank could be put on its feet. The Deputy Attorney-General said that if a plan of resumption could be formulated it would be a good thing, and he did not oppose the application for adjournment.

7. October 3, 1893 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, October 3, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. The Grand Jury for October was sworn in yesterday. Maurice S. Allen, of No. 504 Tenth-st., is the foreman. The hearing upon the motion to expunge the cénsure of Mayor Boody by the June Grand Jury from the records of the Court of Sessions was again adjourned yesterday, to suit the convenience of General Tracy, counsel for the Mayor. Judge Pratt denied yesterday the application of the depositors of the suspended Commercial Bank for an associate receiver to act with W. N. Dykman, the temporary receiver. The appointment of a permanent receiver was deferred for a month on Saturday. The Mayor and Controller have decided to issue tax certificates to the amount of $500,000, to run three months at 4 per cent interest, and they will be offered for sale to-day. The resignation of the Rev. Dr. Wesley R. Davis from the pastorate of the Reformed Church on the Heights, which was offered some time ago, has been accepted by the church and will go into effect on October 15. Dr. Davis has accepted a Government office, as his health prevents his continuing in the ministry. He has been pastor of the church for five years. There were 116 prisoners charged with intoxication in the Butler Street Police Court yesterday, and all pleaded guilty to the charge. They were

8. January 5, 1894 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, January 5, 1894

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

NEW-YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1894. -TEN PAGES. # Glance at These Bargains! A WORD TO THE WISE IS SUFFICIENT! (Our reductions range from 25 to 50 and 75%.) Odd Fancy # Chairs and Rockers, Just 2,000 pieces that must be sold, prices ranging from 2.00 to 30.00. They are worth double and more. There is always a first choice and a best chance! An "18.00 Chair" for 5.00 and 6.50 can be picked up if you don't delay. Don't forget our guarantee covers all! The Entire Block, Broadway, 4th Ave., 9th and 10th Sts. All # Dress Goods Cut to low water mark! Ombre Cheviots, 75cts., reduced from 1.50 and 2.00. Popular Dress Goods (4th AVE. SIDE.) Ten beautiful varieties- running from 38 to 50 in. Beautiful designs, beautiful fabrics, beautiful price. All at 50cts. be the guests of honor at the annual dinner of the Hamilton Club on January 11, and ex-Mayor Boody will be the guest of the members of the Montauk Club at a subscription dinner on January 13. A second dividend, amounting to 16 2-3 per cent, was paid to the depositors in the defunct Commercial Bank yesterday by the receiver, Mr. Dykman. A petition has been prepared for presentation to Governor Flower asking for the pardon of Eugene W. Burd, who is serving a term of eighteen months in Sing Sing State Prison for embezzlement. He was sentenced by Judge Cowing in New-York in March, 1893. Burd was adjutant of the 23d Regiment, and has a wife and four children. He is in poor health, and it is feared that he will not live out his term. He was in debt when he took money from the firm of Ferry & Napier, hatmakers at Nos. 21 and 23 West Fourth-st., New-York, who employed him as a bookkeeper, and intended to return it. The Rev. Richard Penrose has resigned the pastorate of the Rockaway Avenue Congregational Church at the request of the trustees. The members and friends of the Women's Health Protective Association assembled in large numbers at the new rooms of the organization, at No. 204 Livingston-st., yesterday afternoon, for an opening reception. The rooms have been handsomely furnished by the members. Stephen Clark, once Supervisor of the Seventeenth Ward, died on Tuesday at No. 832 Putnam-ave., seventy-eight years old. He lived for many years in Greenpoint and was a Republican leader there. Heart disease caused his death. His funeral took place last evening. IGNORANT ITALIANS SPREAD SMALLPOX WHEN THE FATHER WAS SEIZED WITH THE DISEASE HIS FAMILY FLED AND GAVE

9. March 9, 1894 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, March 9, 1894

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

COMMERCIAL BANK ASSETS SOLD FOR CASH. Five of the directors of the suspended Commercial Bank have agreed to purchase from the receiver, W. N. Dykman, the growing indebtedness of $127,000 for $120,000. This action will probably increase the assets of the bank so that the depositors will be paid in full and the directors will not be sued to make good the deficit. The directors who have advanced the money are Seth LA Keeney, Elbert Snedeker, D. W. Binns, Rufus Ressequie and Robinson Gill. They say, through their counsel, that they make the offer 50 that the indebiedness may become a quick cash asset, and SO that the depositors may be promptly paid. Mr. Dykman has accepted the offer. The mortgages and securities taken by the directors for the sum of $120,000 include a second mortgage of $100,000 on 195 lots in Greenpoint, a second mortgage upon a hotel at Saratoga, of $50,000, and other mortgages aggregating $68,000. The purchasers are to pay $30,000 in cash by June 1, and the remainder is to be collected from the $68,000 in mortgages upon the smaller pieces of property. Andrew J. Perry was appointed by Judge Gaynor yesterday referee to examine the accounts of Mr. Dykman as receiver for the Commercial Bank.

10. March 27, 1894 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, March 27, 1894

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. George Baisley, sixty-five years old, a mason, of No. 429 Franklin-ave., committed suicide yesterday by cutting his throat. He left a note saying: "I am mad, and can never get well. There is something growing in my spine. God forgive me! I have not slept a night in a year." Albert S. Caswell, who has been organist and choir director of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church for seventeen years, has resigned, and will close his connection with the church on May 31. He is director of music in the public schools. Professor Loretz is likely to succeed him at St. Stephen's. The report of A. J. Perry, as referee, approving the accounts of W. N. Dykman, receiver of the suspended Commercial Bank, was approved by Judge Bartlett yesterday. The receiver has had $412,281 58, and paid out $354,268 66 of the bank's funds. Mayor Sanford, of Long Island City, conferred with Mayor Schieren yesterday in regard to the projected tunnel under Newtown Creek, and they agreed to oppose the bill for its construction. Mayor Schieren married Moritz Clausnitzer to Elizabeth Haiserbein yesterday at his office. Joseph E. Reyen, of the Twenty-first Ward, was appointed chief clerk of the committees of the Board of Aldermen yesterday, at $2,500 a year, by the Board of Aldermen. Company B, 14th Regiment, gave a concert, exhibition drill and reception at its armory last evening.

11. May 1, 1894 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, May 1, 1894

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. Dr. Charles M. Bellows, who is attending Judge Pratt, said yesterday that his patient was resting comfortably. He felt positive that Judge Pratt would recover, but he would not be able to resume his seat on the bench for a month. Upon the application of Edward P. Morse, who is associated with James McCaldin and Robert McCaldin in the Morse Iron Works Company, at Twenty-sixth-st. and the Bay, John B. Shanahan was appointed receiver of the company by Judge Gaynor in the Supreme Court yesterday. Morse avers that he has lost confidence in the honesty of his partners, and cannot remain in business with them. According to his statement, the liabilities of the company are $35,234, and the assets $8,000. The Grand Jury has been investigating the charges against the managing directors of the wrecked Commercial Bank, and is expected to present Indictments on Thursday for violations of the penal code. The examination of John R. Agnew, of No. 198 Lynch-st., upon the charge of managing policy shops, was deferred yesterday by Police Justice Walsh until Friday. He was held in $1,500 ball on complaint of W. D. Bergmann, of No. 152 Lynch-st. Detective-Sergeant Mahoney, of the Central Office squad, applied yesterday for permission to retire on half-pay. He has been on the police force for twenty years and seven months. The Supervisors agreed yesterday to permit the Board of Education to use the old 32d Regiment Armory for school purposes. Judge Cullen granted a mandamus yesterday to compel Dr. Emery, Health Commissioner, to reinstate Jonas Litt as a meat inspector. Litt was required by Dr. Emery to sign a blank resignation on condition of summary removal on February 15, and on March 24 this resignation was accepted. Judge Cullen holds that this was not a resignation except in form, and was given for the purpose of retaining the place, as Litt knew If It were not given he could be removed summarily. The decision says that the action was wholly illegal. "Bermuda, the Land of the Lily and the Rose." will be the subject of the lecture by Dr. J. B. Mattison in the Central Presbyterian Church, Tompkins and Willoughby aves., this evening. The lecture will be illustrated by sixty attractive views. Admission is free. There was a hearing before Mayor Schieren yesterday upon the resolutions passed by the Aldermen last week granting a franchise to the South Brooklyn Terminal and Railroad Company for constructing its road in the Twenty-sixth Ward. On the part of the protestants, D. P. Darling argued that the franchise as passed should be vetoed. Sanders Shanks presented a protest on the part of the Twenty-sixth Ward Property Owners' Association. A concert and reading were given for charity under the auspices of the Civitas Club in Memorial Hall last evening. The Brooklyn Amateur Musical Association presented several selections, and George W. Cable, the well-known novelist, read incidents

12. October 26, 1894 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, October 26, 1894

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. This is the third day of registration. Republicans, register to-day! The books are open from 7 a. m. to 10 p. m. The Rev. S. G. Weiskolten, who was recently installed as pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, met a painful accident on Tuesday, while visiting the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He was inspecting the various places of interest when a gust of wind blew a small piece of steel into his eye. The pain was intense, and after a night's suffering he went to a specialist on Wednesday and the piece of steel was removed. He is confined to his home, No. 237 Rodney-st., but says he will be out in a few days. Almet F. Jenks, as referee, reported yesterday that W. N. Dykman had administered his receivership of the Commercial Bank economically and well. He had collected $615,130 58, and had paid out $553,677 75. The creditors have received 73 2-3 per cent of the sums due them. The amount of $3,726 59 for expenses is allowed. The West Brooklyn Land and Improvement Company has secured a loan of $210,000 from the Mutual Life Insurance Company upon its property between New-Utrecht and Fourteenth aves., running from Fortieth to sixtieth st., comprising about 3,000 lots. William F. Suydam, the head of a Philadelphia trust company, is president of this land company, and the money is to be spent in improving its property. The loan is for three years, at 6 per cent The Thirty-first Ward will have three paid fire companies organized out of the present Gravesend volunteer fire department. The two engine-houses now existing will be rented by the city, and a third one built. There will be twenty-one men, who will receive $800 a year each. The police have stopped a gambling game in the basement of the new 13th Regiment Armory, in connection with the fair now in progress. Frank Barlow secured the privilege of a jewelry prize table by paying $10 a night, but it was found that the jewelry prizes were not distributed. Instead of this, the players put their money in the compartments and turned an indicator, and if they won received double the sum they ventured. When the police observed the nature of the game it was stopped.

13. January 5, 1895 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, January 5, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. Mayor Schieren will be absent from the city next week, as he has to go to Chicago on business. He has prepared his annual message, and it will be transmitted to the Common Council on Monday. There have been a score of applications for the place of Police Justice in the Thirty-first Ward, formerly Gravesend. A report gained circulation yesterday that Charles J. Kurth, ex-Assemblyman, had been appointed, but it proved unfounded. Nothing will be decided in the matter of the appointment until after the Mayor's return from Chicago next week. The appointment must be made by January 20. The report of W. N. Dykman as receiver of the defunct Commercial Bank, filed yesterday, shows that he has received $661,735 63, and has paid the creditors $617,068 14. Their claims amount to $700,739 34. Mrs. Juliet C. Isham, whose husband, Henry H. Isham, is seeking absolute divorce from her, has begun proceedings to recover possession of her child, a boy four and a half years old, whom the husband took to Minneapolis and left with his sister there before he began the suit. The child was to be produced in court yesterday upon a writ of habeas corpus, but it was said that he was still in Minneapolis. The matter was adjourned for a fortnight, when the child must be produced. Bishop McDonnell will pay his first visit to the Pope since his ordination this month. He is expected to sail on January 12 on his way to Rome. He has to pay a visit to the Pope within three years of his ordination, and he was ordained in 1892. Salvatore Mellazo and Antonio Pepitont were held in $5,000 bail yesterday on a charge of arson in setting fire to the building at No. 29 Flushing-ave., where they had a fruit store under the name of John Cross & Co., on December 20. They had insured their stock for $15,200, when it was worth about $800. General Lew Wallace will deliver a lecture this evening at the Academy of Music on "How I Came to Write Ben-Hur," for the benefit of the mission at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska.

14. February 12, 1895 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, February 12, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

GATHERED ABOUT THE TOWN. Trial of the case of John Adamson for the setting aside and annulment of the franchises of the Nassau Electric Railway was begun yesterday in the Supreme Court before Judge Cullen. The suit has been in the courts a long time. David M. Clinton pleaded guilty to bigamy before Judge Moore, of the Court of Sessions, yesterday. He married Margaret Lully in 1889. and lived with her five years. In December last he married Mary A. Hessian. The wives met in the Maternity Hospital, where the last-named one had gone to carry delicacies to inmates. They jointly determined to punish Clinton. Judge Moore remanded him for sentence. The Grand Jury yesterday entered upon an investigation of matters pertaining to the strike. President Norton's case was under consideration Mayor Schieren announced yesterday to a delegation from the Eighth Ward, headed by Assemblyman Clarkson, that he was opposed to having their proposed bill passed for the issue of $100,000 in bonds for improvements in Third-ave. Judge Gaynor yesterday dismissed the complaint in the suit of William N. Dykman as receiver of the Commercial Bank against the Bank of NewYork. The action was for the recovery of $66,000. as part of the securities which Mr. Dykman alleged had been removed unlawfully from the Commercial Bank on the evening before it closed its doors for good. Mrs. William H. Murtha, widow of Senator Murtha, died yesterday afternoon. She was a charitable woman, and a director in St. Mary's Hospital. Mrs. Eva Young, of No. 36 Fort Greene Place, died yesterday from burns recently self-inflicted. She caused talk a few weeks ago by running away to Springfield, Mass., and telling the police there that she was wanted in Brooklyn on a charge of blackmail. Mrs. Mary Pape, of No. 56 Vernon-ave., made application to Judge Cullen yesterday for an order directing the surviving members of the firm of Doty, Scrimgeour & Pape, of Brooklyn and NewYork, to allow her to examine the books and papers of the firm, in order to learn whether she got her full share of her husband's interest in it. Judge Cullen reserved his decision.

15. April 30, 1896 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, April 30, 1896

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

NOTES FROM THE COURTS. In the Supreme Court yesterday Justice Osborne granted the application of William N. Dykman as receiver of the Commercial Bank for permission to employ special counsel in the suits which he has been directed to bring against the directors of the bank for an accounting. Justice Osborne allows Mr. Dykman to pay the special counsel a retaining fee of $250, and says that further compensation shall be whatever is determined upon by the receiver. The Grand Jury presented indictments in the County Court yesterday for alleged violations of the excise law. It is believed that there were three of them, although the District-Attorney refused to announce the number until the men have been arrested. Later in the day, one of the men, Patrick J. Sweeney, of Myrtle-ave. and Sandford-st., was arraigned before Judge Hurd and pleaded not guilty. He was held In $1,000 ball, and John Pyburn became his bondsman. The Grand Jury also returned six dismissals of excise cases which they had investigated. Some time ago an application was made to the Supreme Court by William B. Ditmas for an injunction to restrain his brother, Chauncey L. C. Ditmas, from burying in the family plot in Cypress Hills Cemetery the body of Clarence Terry, a son of the respondent's wife by a former husband. Mr. Ditmas said that the plot had been purchased by his father for use as a family burying-ground, and there was no room in it for outsiders. The application was heard at length, and the court found for Chauncey Ditmas, permitting him to bury the body as he desired. Now Chauncey has begun an action against his brother for $200 damages, and yesterday Justice Osborne, of the Supreme Court, appointed William J. Carr referee to take testimony as to the damage sustained. Testimony was taken in the Supreme Court yesterday before Justice Van Wyck and a jury in the suft of Mortimer S. Watkinson, as administrator of the estate of his mother, Theresa Watkinson, against the Long Island Railroad Company to recover $5,000 for her death. It is alleged by the plaintiff that on September 28, 1894, while the old lady was attempting to board a train at Woodhaven Junction, she slipped between the platform and the last car of the train, which passed over her and caused her death. It is alleged that the accident would not have happened If proper safeguards had been adopted by the railroad company. The defence is a general denial of responsibility. The case went to the jury. Albert P. Stewart's suit against the Blythebourne Improvement Company to recover $2,000 damages incurred by alleged false representations of the company was tried in the Supreme Court before Justice Smith and a jury yesterday. The plaintiff, who is a young man, alleges that in 1890 he bought a lot from the defendants at Fifty-seventh-st. and Eleventh-ave., New-Utrecht, and that he paid $1,750 for it. The company represented to him that the land was only eighteen inches below the grade of. the street as fixed by the town. Stewart says that, relying on the representations which were made to him when he bought the lot, he built a house there and laid out a pretty garden. After he had done all that, he learned that his land was at least five feet below the street level as fixed by the town. He fixes his damages at $2,000. The answer of the company is that there were no false representations made to the plaintiff. The trial was continued. Justice Clement, of the Supreme Court, handed down a decision yesterday denying the application of Kate Monjo, now Kate Monjo Solomon, for leave to see her children by Domingo E. Monjo, who obtained a divorce from her in 1886. The story of Mrs. Monjo's fight for her children has been told before. Her husband, Monjo, was well known as a railroad man, and both before and after he obtained a divorce from her she has tried all means to get the custody of her children or an order of the court permitting her to see them.