Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-07-06
Bertha Heyman. the Confidence Omen.

Bertha Heyman, young and beauti-
| fui woman, was on trial in the county
court at Staten Island on a charge OF
stealing watch from her boarding mis-
tress, Pauline Schlaarbaum, of Clifton.
Never was the truth of the old adage,
Truth is stranger than fiction better
exemplltied than in the career of this
extraordinary woman.
her plan was to pass herself off for
millionaire, and then to borrow money
on the strength of her prospects. She
made the acquaintance of gentleman
named Botty, to whom she represented
she was entitled to $40, 900, 900, and she
then made him the agent of her estates
and her imam of business" Mr.. Botty
soon ascertained that he had been
swindled, but he was more fortunate
than others of the fair Bertha's victims.
for he sued her and recovered $4,000,
money loaned and services rendered.
Another of the victims was one of the
firm of Bates, Reed & Cooley, of Broad
way, who suffered to the tune of $1,000.
Mrs. Mander, of Seventh street, was
vlctlmlzed to like extent
Some time ago Charles Brandt, q
highly respectable man, but too good
hearted for his own interests, resided in
Oliver street, i'll this city Mr.. Brandt
knew the woman when she was married
to her fist husband, Fritz Kerkow, in
Milwaukee, Wis. Bertha sent for him
and told INN of her alleged good fortune
The splendor of her surroundings was to
Mr.. Brandt convincing proof of the
truth of her statements MIR. Brandt
waited on her one day, and she told him
she had something to tell him. She was
to be III full possession of her property
IN few days, and III recognition of their
old acquaintance she would appoint him
her agent at salary of $1,000 year.
The details were about to be arranged
when hveried footman announced 81
j. Astor."
81 can't see him; / am indisposed,'
remarked the fair Bertha.
The next day Mr. Brandt was Their.
the name of Robert Bonner" was
announced.
"Tell him to call at 6 O'clock" said
Bertha.
Mr.. Brandt was not at all astonished.
He had heard this woman speak so
cavallerly of Vanderbilt and the rest of
the moneyed magnates that nothing
could III his estimation be impossible to
her, and he soon became plant tool
for her Vaccinations. The day that Mr..
Bonner was supposed to call at o'clock
the adventures told Brandt that she had
some difficulty with her lawyer, to whom
she had promised 10 per cent. on the
suit for the recovery of her property.
" Now that it is coming TO successful
issue, he wants % per cent" moaned |
the lady, with an air of injured innocence.
" want 81, 900 Immediately, and will |
give you draft at Kountze Brothers on |
Blatz, the brewer, Milwaukee, if you
can advance me the sum-" Mr.. Brandt |
was only too happy to oblige his future
employer, and they proceeded to the |
banking house where she drew the draft |
They then separated, he promising to get |
the 81, 900. In a short time after he had |
gone she re-entered the establishment of |
Kountze Brothers with man who re- |
sombled Brandt and withdrew the draft |
The bank officials thought her companion |
was Brandt, and they complied with the |
request When Brandt discovered how |
chad been swindledhe vowed vengeance |
against Bertha. He investigated her
earlier career and ascertained that she
1AtNNt cSNhA 1911 III NCCb44Iy OSCll, L IuSSld
Her maiden name was Bertha Schles-
singer. She was divorced from her first
husband, Kerkow, and her right to the
name of Heyman can not be ascertained.
Through one of her maids, n Miss
Schwartz, Of Desbrosses street, the
photographs Of the heiress were procured.
She had fled to Canada, and on her re-
turn short time after was arrested by
two of Pinkerton's detectives. By them
she was turned over to the Staten Island
authorities, where she was wanted"
for the larceny of a watch.
Bertha defenseis that she is awronped
and injured woman. In conversation
she is most plausible and graceful, and
presents an air of injured innocence that
induces many credulous persons to be-
lieye she is really a wronged and per
secuted woman.-Ne,0 York Express.