The Indianapolis journal., 1885-10-19

He threw money every way. He was charitable
in measure. Last Christmas he gave many
poor people provisions and coal. The preceding
Christmas he gave away many sacks of flour,
tons OF coal and many dollars He helped
number of poor people to 60 West He spent
large amounts on the ladies' for Ben was lover
of the fair sex. He purchased cloaks, opera
glasses. flowers. books, ETC., which he dlstrio-
uted with q lavish hand. He gave s1ppers,
wined his friends, and never spared ex-
pense when a trade was in view. He
had the best to be had for money When
his credit began TO wane he startled
the public by trying to take out $780, 600 insur-
ance on his life When the Board of Trade was
established he placed a desk in the board room,
and announced the amount of his real estate
transactions daily. He published the amount OF
his real estate sales for the years of 1882, 1888
and 1854 as amounting to millions.
The career of this bold speculator IS drawing
to close. He is fleeing from the officers of the
law. Widows and orphans and foolish men,
who intrusted their money to him. are. many OF
them bowed down with sorrow. de has wiped
out the savings of many poor men. He leaves
behind him mortgaged homes, wrecked fortunes,
wrecked lives, sorrowins husbands. broken
hearted widows who have lost everything they
possessed and sorrowing sweethearts. lie was
Ferd Ward in a small city.
The people whom he has deprived of their
money in all branches of life They are
capitalists, merchants. mechanics and laborers
No one was too rich or too poor for him to
refuse their money. There are many whose
losses will aggregate $500, many $780, and
others $4,000 to $1,000 Paris parties are in
for several thousand. Even his clerks come in
for share-salary and money loaned. Several
of his clerks are said to be without cent He
was dead broke when he left. He was hard
pressed for funds that he pawned his sisters
ring few days ago for $50. One of his credit
ors, it is reported, who had hopes of realizing
something, gave him money to get out of town
Some of his creditors have deeds, mort
cages and certificates for Kansas lands,
which. no doubt. are worthless. and if of any
value it is small to be almost worthless
''Wat till the bottom drops out of Kansas" has
beer the word among the boys" for some time
Itshas dropped, and the Prince of Finney Coun-
ty'-where, 0 where is he2
DO you suppose he swindled many in Yer
million county, his old home?" a reporter asked
one who knows something of his business.
mot many" was the reply. "They knew him
too we'll up there"
If Blanchard kept set of books it was on the
quiet. No book-not even memorandum-is
known to exist of his many transactions
Blanchard had a way of entwining himself
into the confidence OF people. A half hours con-
versation was sufficient for him to induce men
who have the reputation of possessing level
heads. to intrust thousands in his care In per-
soDal appearance he is not preposSessing man
But he is magnetic. His head is large, his fore
head square, and his face clearcut His eyes
have steady, cool look He was always cool,
and would smile under the most trying circum-
stances.
One of Blanchards celebrated games of bluff
was with the assessor. He gave in part of his
assets $25, 900 cash. His fine team of blacks and
the carriage were 'nabbed" for taxes, and dis
posed of. Yesterday his household goods were
attached for taxes.
There was anxious crowd around his office
yesterday morning. But no Ben was there
Some cursed, and others smiled. Mr. Alonzo
Duddleson purchased the Office fixtures of
Blanchard last September, to square the account
for back salary and money loaned.
Last night Blanch ard boarded the 10:45 north
bound train on the G. & e. L., at the I. & ST. l..
crossing. He is supposed to have started for
Danvile.