Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-04-06
A FlRST-CLASS FRAUD.
A Man Representing Himself as
Col. j. A. Bentley,
Obtains Money from Pensioners Under
False Pretences.

Obtains Money from Pensioners Under
False Pretences.
An Account of his Operations in
this City and Linden.
The Chicago Times of March q con-
tanned the following telegram from
Des Moines. Iowa:
The swindler who some days since
was operating in southern and central
Iowa among the pensioners, claiming
to be Hon. j. A. Bentley, late commits
sioner of pensions. did large business
in some of the Mississippi counties
last week, under the name of Col. Sum-
mers. A good many pensioners paid
him sums ranging from 81 to $40 for
increasing their pensions, which he
claims 70 have authority to do. He
was hunted out of Louisa county by
the officers, but managed TO get away,
and soon will be heard of in some other
locality. The pension agent at this
place desires again to warn all pen
sioners against paying money to any
one claiming TO be an officer of the pen
sion bureau. No pension can be grant
ed or increased except at Washington,
and there are no government fees
therefor. Anyone protesting to be AN
officer of the gOyernm emf, who charges
IA pensioner a fee for any service, is a
swindler, and ought to arrested.
The "Hon. j. A. Bentley" above re-
ferred to made his appearance in this
city on Tuesday of last week and
put up at the City hotel. Mark Terrill.
proprietor. He IS man of about five
feet seven or eight inches in height.
has very large eyes. heavy mustache,
which is dark brown. On his right
hand, third finger, was ring with a
large set in it, and he displayed con-
siderable jewelry.
He wore suit of navy blue clothes,
with brass buttons, and large
star on his vest, and altogether
had decided military appearance.
He introduced himself to mine host
Terrill, as Col. J. A. Bentley. stating
that he was the authorized agent Of w.
W. DuuiCS, COMMISSIONER VI pCiloiOHo
at Washington. He remained over
night, paid his bill in advance. stating
that he had authority to make out pa
pers for increase of pensions. and to
transact business in general for The
pension commissioner. In the morning
he called on Postmaster Allen, showed
him a list of pensioners, and made
some inquiries in regard to them.
He talked loud, displayed his uniform
and star, informed Mr.. Allen who he
was, stated his business, etc. Allen
says that he at once suspected that he
was an impostor. Col. Bentley" then
withdrew and called upon two or three
soldiers of this city who are drawing
pensions. We understand tina. he oD-
tanned Mark. Terrill's dis charge papers
and also the discharge of Richard Gun
dry, both of whom are old soldiers.
The Col then deemed it expedient to
go elsewhere. and soon left ter Linden
where he hoped to continue his fraud
ulent operations.
Deputy Sheriff Healey soon after the
departure of "Col. Bentley" for Linden.
called at the post office and had con-
sultation with Mr.. Allen. in regard to
him. Healey then telegraphed the fact
in regard to "Bentlcy's" presence here
to Alex. McWilson, pension agent at
Madison, who in response to the tele-
gram arrived here Oh Friday evening.
After leaving this city Col. Bentley"
went direct to Linden, and arrivi ng
there about three o'clock in the fter-
noon, first called uroL James Gregory,
an old soldier who is drawing small
pension. He introduced himself as
Col. Bentley, the authorized agent of
w. w. Dudley, etc. and told Mr.. Greg
cry that his pension of $6 per month
lad been raised by the Pension Commits
sioner to ST. per month. He stated
that he (Col. Bentley was authorized
to make out the necessary papers for
obtaining the increase, that being a
government officer he was paid by the
government and did not charge any
thing for his services; but said Mr..
Gregory would have to pay him for
stationery, blanks, postage, etc, which
would amount to 1886 in his case. Mr..
Gregory informed him that he had
been sick for a long time and that one
dollar was all the money that there
was i'll the house, which Mr.. Gregory
borrowed from his wife and gave to
him. He took the money, stated that
he had been a minister of the gospel
for fifteen years, and gave his age as
fifty-three years. but his appearance
would indicate that he was much
younger man. He was about To bid
Mr.. Gregory and family an affectionate
good bye. when Mr.. G. requested him
to call on John Granville, who was an
applicant for IA pension.
"Col. Bentley next called upon Mr..
Granville and introduced himself as
before, showed his star and govern
ment badges. He then questioned Mr..
Granville about his pension claim. the
number or it and other particulars.
He told Mr.. Granville that his disease
was liver complaint and rheumatism.
He then said that eight dollars per
month had been assigned to him as his
pension. with back pension from the
time of his discharge. making in all
Sl,S24. He told Granville that he
would make out the papers for him.
and also the oath of identity for obtain
ing land warrant. and said that he
would charge nothing for his services
as he was a governme mt officer. but
that he would have TO pay 50 for post
age, blanks and stationery. Granville
willingly paid him the amount, and al
SO gave him his discharge papers to
send to Washington. Col. Bentley"
told him that the papers would be sent
back in about fifteen days. He took
supper with the family and remained
with them that night. aud after all had