The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1877-08-30
BENkERT SCANDAL.
Retailing Adventures Before Jersey
Justice.
Who Mrs. tWallinsford is What
the Hearing Revealed.
= Philadelphia Paper.I

the Hearing Revealed.
Philadelphia Paper.I
Mr.. George F. Benkert, formerly a menu
Der Of the firm of c. Benkert x Co.. shoe
dealers on Chestnut street near Eighth, was
brought up before Justice James N. Cassa-
dy, in Camden this morning at ten o'clock,
charged with stealing note from Mrs.
Anna Wallingford, while they were both
stopping at the Congress Hall, Cape May,
few weeks ago.
Mrs. Wallingford stated that she went to
Cape May to see George Benkert; that she
had given him $50, and that he had hand
ed her a po.ket-bood. AT the depot he ask
ed for $40 more, saying that he needed it to
settle his hotel bill. This also was given
to him. On the way up the $1,000 note
was missed, and it is an authenticated fact
that George Benkert left the Capes by the
next train, and was not heard of until he
appeared last Friday morning. Both par
ties at that time being unrepresented by
counsel, the case was continued until this
morning.
| THIS MORNINGS HEARING.
well, we are ready to proceed said
Justice Cassidy after a lapse OF some min
utes past ten o'clock. Mrs. Wallingford
was attired in black silk dress, trimmed
with heavy hounces and fringes. She is ap-
parently about 40 years of age. She was
the first witness, and took her seat on one OF
Judge Cassady's hard summer chairs, and
tanning herself in careless manner, told
her story easily, showing great self-posses-
sion. Mrs. Wallingford was represented by
Judge Lennon, while Mr.. Benkert, who sat
near her, seemed lost in deep meditation.
WHAT WAS IN THE PROSECUTORS Posses
SION.
"A week ago to day, the 18th OF August"
said the defendant, Il had in my possession
a 81 900 bill, three 800 bills, two $50 bills,
$50 gold piece, one 50 and a g piece, and
some Canada shinplasters; l got to Cape
May, and met Mr.. Benkert; We went to
Miiler's restaurant; had some refresh
ments, then went down on the beach !;
afterwards went back again, and
had some more refreshments; had SO
bill changed, and paid for the refreshments;
we then went to the hotel Congress Hall,
where placed my money in an envelope,
the clerk backed ii, and put it in the safe
there was altogether 81, Az in the envelope
at the time. left it there until Tuesday,
about half-past three o'clock; after dinner
was over, me and Mr. Benkert went out on
the porch and sat down awhile, he then said
! "If YOU are going home, you had better go
in and settle your bill, !" and when got up
!. to start he asked me tosettle his bill l went
in and settled both OF our bills, and the clerk
. told the cashier TO make both Of them out
before did so, however, l asked the clerk
to give ME my package out Of the safe and
he asked me what it was, money or jewelry;
: told him it was money; he stepped to the
safe and handed it to me; tore the end
) off of the envelope, took the money
out and counted it; found all my
money there, paid my bill, aud put the
money in my pocket book, and went to my
room; Mr. Benkert went TO my room with
me; he said-he would go to his room and
pack his baggage; came back in few mo-
ments and said he had packed his baggage,
he remained there until l was ready to
start; when | went to the room the money
was in my dress; | took everything out Of
nv pocket, and laid them all IN the bureau
together, it lay there when Benkert came in
and until | was ready to start out, with the
exception of the time that Mr.. Benkert had
it in his hand; he picked it up; did not
paw much attention To what he did do; |
was putting on my hat, and fixing my satch-
ell: saw Mr. Benkert open the pocket
book he took the money out and was hand
ling it; he laid the pocket book back on the
bureau where he had got it; did not exam-
inc my pocket book after he laid it on the
bureau; put it in my pocket and went TO
the train with him; he went along to the
train with ME; | did not miss my
money until / took my peck
ct book out of my pocket
and the conductor came around for the
tickets; took my pocket-book out, handed
the conductor my ticket, and then thought
l would arrange my money; l unfolded 1t,
to assert it, and then missed my thousand
dollar note no person else had my pocket
book, except myself after he did; the rea-
son believe he took it was because he was
in the room, had the pocket-book, and no
one else had it; when l arrived home l
telegraphed to a detective at Cape May
that night; then went to Mr.. Benjamin
Franklin, and told him that Mr.. Benkert
had taken one thousand dollars from me,
and l wished he would get the money;
then came over here and swore out a war
rant for him / have never seen my money
since.
MRS wALLINGFoRD's CAREER.
Cross-examined by A. c. Scovel, Esq.
Nv name is Anna Wallingford; was born
| in italy, or rather in 4 steamer coming
over from Italy landed in New York-at
least that was what i was tOld-I was too
young to know; the first residence had
| in the United States l do not remember;
the first place do rcollect was in New
York City; l spent part of my time in
New York and part in Georgia; l do not
remember when | went to Georgia; my
maiden name was Anna Claudine With
more; my father resided in Georgia, off
and on; he was planter, was there alto
gether four or five years; We were away
| every year; my fathers first name was
James; am not married, but have been;
| never was really married but once think
| never had but one husband; l
have Travelled through the States
some, but not great deal
@. Were you ever arrested?
4. No sir Don't remember any crimi-
nal charge being preferred against me in any
court.
Q. Did you ever live on South Fifth St,
Leavenworth?
A.. No, sir.
@. Were you ever i'll
A. No, sir. Except when &c, mad, then
| am.
Q. Did you ever get acquainted with a
young law student, studying with prOmi-
nent lawyer in Leavenworth?
A. Not that / remember.
Objected to by Judge LennoI, who in
ii
Judge Cassady-Go ahead this is legiti- |
xnaAo IL Tho nornsol oyorSfaIss tho hounds L