Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-06-26
Rudolph Blamenbsrgs SEindliss Tricks On Ii.
Contractors Of Washington.
The Story of His Operations by a vics;m
HENRY BIRCH INTERVIEWED.

Henry Birch, of 2iOl Pennsylvania avenue
washington, ID. c.: Mr.. Birch gliuted
/ sharply at the reporter from a pair OF bright
piercing eyes; then he glanced around for q
seat, and dropping into Ii, resigned himself
| to be interviewed.
HOW TO LEND MONEY ADvANTAGEoUsLY
Reporter-Mr. Birch. understand there is
tale OF diabolical imposition you can un-
wind, In which Mr.. Rudolph Blumenberg
| forms the twist.
Mr.. Birch willingly began a narrative as
follows, Invested OF stray threads: Ia Feb
ruary, 1874, Immediately after the bank
| panic In washington city, the contractors
| had great deal OF work to accomplish on
short notice, under contract with the board
| public works. am one OF them, and we were
hard up for money and could get nothing
from the banks. This fellow Blumenberg-
came to us as Monte Cristo, recommended
with mint of money. He was willing to
loan for any amount, apparently, and the
contractors borrowed freely, giving security
with city bonds In their possession. He was
stranger TO me; but heard SO much about
his wealth that went to him q nd asked
what ne wonld lend on my bonls. l got
SIT 900 from him at one per cent q month for
one year. We are down on usury in Wash
ingtOn. and to conceal the real nterost, gave
him two notes, each for 5000 aud TART
iOr - $50. For the payment OF these ne had
security in city Improvement bonds amount
ing TO $50 goo. had bond from him To re
turn the securities on payment of the notes
at the end OF the year, aud of course he had
no right TO negotiate the bonds ne held a
security. Well. he loaned money to a great
number OF parties there, and the total
600 or S5C0,0OO. Where he got the money
from, goodness knows, but he gave himself
out as man of property. He was, In fact,
extensively In Washington. He told nee for
instance, that he had invested In land on
which he was about to build, at cost of
100000, big hotel, and he did not care
whether he lost $50 900 in getting it started
prontably. About this time he gave out
that he was going to Florida for his health
and would be back in two months. About
the same time some of the bords he held as
security were being hucksterei around the
market, and the contractors began to open
their eyes and look around for BlumenbsrZ.
But ne mad gone, and the hrst thing we knew
OF his whereabouts was an announce
ment In tie papers that he had sailed
for Europe. We all had great time after
that, and the papers made fun of us for hav-
ing been duped by man who did not own a
square yard of property in the District.
From another contractor, called Patrick
Cullinane, he had taken Sf4, 900 in bonds,
and two other parties he had relieved of
$4,000 each In bonds, Ioaning money to
them, suppose, and obtaining that money
by the sale OF their own bonds as soon as
they came into his possession. The loan to
Culllnane was $4,000, and this mans loss
made him almost crazy. The contractors
had consultation on how to get the fraud
WITHIN their reach, and agreed to put up
pool OF 81, coo; but nothing came OF it. IL was
the more aggravating as he imposed on us
SO smartly. He was q conspicuous figure in
the town, dressing splendidIy, seemingly
having no end OF money, and all the time
" rearing a big diamond in his shirt front.
This Kind OF crime, you see, can be punished
within TWO years; but the time did not count
while he was in .Eufope, and If he is taken
10 washington nov he can be tried.
HOW THE FoA WAS TRAPPED
we heard nothing OF BlEgenberg after he
went to Europe. On the 3gt OF March L
came to this coast, attracted by its renown-
NJ sr1N
health by a little rest and. Lsayel. The Blum
enbeTg Will case set me to wondering whether
the departed was the swindler who had cut
snch figure in Washington, and | soon as
that he was not, but that Rudolph
was his brother. Returning from Los Aa-
geles on the 9th OF May, L net 8 friend VINO
, ad seen the blooming acquaintance of whom
| was In search; and getting on his tracks,
saw him in the streets myself Then made
sure of his identity. / found out his resi-
fence, 425 Ellis street; followed him along
The streets; got at all his habits accurately
and sometimes I was at the next table to
him In the restaurants. Meanwhile I had
with my fellow victims in
Washington, and had posted myself on what
Y as necessary TO be done to make success
iul arrest. IL would have been a good stroke
Of policy to bring suit against him, but he
has no property. They say he has plenty
II money, but where 1t is nobody knows.
There is good deal OF 1t in diamonds, which
ne is very proud Of displaying. Well,
got papers for his arrest sent out
rom The city OF Washington. He had
been indicted by the grand Jury on the
charge of approprlat!ns nv bonds, ani also
nose OF Cuiinane, and that was theonly way
% get at him. To show you what kind or
tIlow ne is, went to see his brother 10 Bal
!, i more; he is a square map, and he said to
re -hy p~ylner blk you IN that way? NV
,r0thef DID rascal; he cheat men When ali
he papers for his arrest had ARR we'd, q
United states deputy marshal, my attorney
md myself drove in hack on Wednesday
QGf to Inn har Sc Ia
aoack by our entrance, and inquired who L
vas. / gave him my name, aud he said,
quietly, "Oh, you are Birch. Why didn't
Tou come to my house? l would have paid
you this little transaction" And when he
Ound out that the faw was likely to take its
course he said, ''LOOk here, why don't YOU
come in with me? could make your for
guess we will settle this up first" Then he
,himed In, al will make YOU smoke for this:
will go TO Washington with you, and will
make you pay for It," He is one of the most
notorious swindlers that have ever been in
the city OF Washington. could name you
a hundred men whom be has defrauded. He
used to be In the diamond business, and
there are terrible stories about him among
the men who had dealings with him.
HE Is GRANTED BAIL.
when they had talked the matter over, he
was placed under regular arrest. His game
Is to show that he loaned the money on the
6ords; but that is prepOsterous, as the bonds
gave him are guaranteed by Congress, and
par. Mind you, l have nothing 10 gain by
this, except to see scoundrel punished. II
convicted, he Is liable TO imprisonment on
each Indictment OF from one year to five.
But / get nothing-not even the bonds OF
which he has swindled me, and If he jumps
mis- bail the forfeiture goes to the United
States. They have taken my testimony on
his identity and the charge against him, and
he cannot get over that | never forget
face on business matter ike this. His
bail is fixed at $40 600. 1t ought to be
much higher to prevent him running away,
because he will.never dare TO go to WASH
ington, II he can help IL, things are so
black against him; but, so far, he has only
found one man TO go on his bond for $4,000
Mr.. Van Duser would not accept two men
who came for ward on the other $4,000. When
the arrest was made the authorities here
telegraphed to Washington, "Blumenberg
has obtained bail. Do you want him now?"
No reply, added Mr.. Birch, had been received
yesterday afternoon, but one is expected inn
mediately, and probably Rudolph or the
Dig Diamond will enjoy a ride east at his
cOuntry's expense in a few days.
Mr.. Birch grew garrulous and repetitive
as he descanted on the exploits of Blumen-
berg; but the only additional facts OF essen
tial consequence he mentioned were that In
this city he has a wife and four children,
and that in the directory he is registered
under the name of "Israel R." Naturally,
he is anxious not to read any exposure of his
tricky doings In the newspapers, and this