In his early youth he had lived four years on a cattle-ranch as a cow-puncher, and had undoubtedly killed two men during that time.
Witness had been private secretary to his partner, Mr.Isidore Bamberger, and while so employed Mr.Van Torp had fired a revolver at him in his private office in a fit of passion about a message witness was sent to deliver.

Two clerks in a neighbouring room had heard the shot.

Believing Mr.Van Torp to be mad, witness had said nothing at the time, but had left Mr.Bamberger soon afterwards.

It was always said that, several years ago, on board of his steam yacht, Mr.Van Torp had once violently pulled a friend who was on board out of his berth at two in the morning, and had dragged him on deck, saying that he must throw him overboard and drown him, as the only way of saving his soul.

The watch on deck had had great difficulty in overpowering Mr.Van Torp, who was very strong.