New-York tribune., 1886-01-22
THE CONFIDENCE QUEEN.
AT HER OLD TRICKS BUT SOON CAUGHT.
ARRESTED IN JERSEY CITY ROR swINDLISG NEW.
YORK MANNER CAREER.

ARRESTED IN JERSEY CITY FOR sWINDLING NEW
YORK MANNER CAREER.
Mrs. Mary Hansen. who ten years ago had
attained the reputation Of being highly successful con-
hdence and was dubbed the confidence queen."
arrested last evening at her home, No. AZ Hghst,
Jersey City Heights The arrest was made by Inspector
Lange and Detective Bolton Of the Jersey City Police
Department and Detective-sergeants Healey and Ru'
land of Inspector Byrnes force warrant issued By
Police Justice Smith. sitting at the Tonbs Police Court
In 1875 Mrs. Hansen arrested after having success
fully swndled several weknown residents Of Jersey
City, but on her trial was acquitted through the clever
OF her counsel. Charles H. Winfield, who the
Dstrict-Attorney Of Hudson County. Her favorite
method Of swndng to represent herself as An hcress
to whom half million dollars been bequesthed by
deceased relative In Germany. generally priest
bishop, aud to persuade her victims to advance her
money the strength Of her expectations. Since her
escape 1876 she has remained secluded and
was kept under surveillance by the Jersey City police
On Wednesday Inspector Lange was called upon by
Frederick Bohnert, acquaintance who keeps liquor
store at No. 1872 Aenst. this city. and asked II he
knew Mary Klink, an elderly woman who lived
in Jersey City. The Inspector engaged his
friend In conversation during the course OF
which 1t transpired that Bohnert had advanced
81 1900 and he was beginning to susoct that he had
been swDdled.
Without much urging Bohnert unbosomed himself freely
to the Inspector. He said the woman made his ac-
the heress of large estate u Germany which had been
left her by her uncle who priest Rer share OF
$500 000 apd her husband had
to Germany about it, she being unable to 30 herself
on account of i'll health. She knew nothing about bust
herself declared and she begged OF Bohnert to
become her agent, holding out the nducement OF lib
eral salary aud commissions. Bohnert swallowed the
bait eagerly and at the request of Mrs. Knk he ad.
vaDced her Of money at different times until the
aggregate reached 81 300 Suspicion OF Mrs. knk hrse
began to dawn upon the mind OF Bohnert when hc
learned that she had made the acquaintance OF John
Messam. liquorseller at HOustonst and Firstave.,
aud had engaged him as her agent An interview be-
tween Bohnert and Messam resulted in the discovery
that the latter had mortgaged his property and ad-
vanced Mrs Klink 81. 800 whsn Inspector Lange hsA
heard the story he conducted his visitor TO the Rpgue
Gallery and showing him picture No. LAB. asked him II
that looked like Mrs Klink.
"My gracious. that is the very wOmsn," exclaimed
Bohnert.
"weli, that woman's is Mary Han.
son and she Is of the most notorious
swndlers in the country remarked the Inspector who
was unable repress laugh at his friends discom-
future. Inspector Lange communicated the facts to
sS S 70 v fH Ths sa
that Bohnert and Messam made q complaint to
Justice smith and warrant was Issued lortas arrest .,
house in High.st they were met by Mrs Hansen,s
home and aftorward that she very IN The officers
pushed their into the house and found Mrs Hansen
said she extremely sick too sick to 90 out but
changed her mind when Inspector Lange threatened 20
send for the police and to station policemen in
the house to watch her The prisoner was taken TO the
office Chief Murphy and at his suggestion consented
to come TO New York at once. ~ .
Mrs Hansen first came into public notice In 1868, aud
from that time 1874 she worked with Charles and
Mark Sacia father and Mark Saca one or tho
principals in the Lewis will case, when woman was
of the deceased Hoboken millionaire Lewis, who
bequeathed 81 100000 to tue Government to help pay
the National debt The conspiracy 10 obtain tho money
or any portion OF ii proved failure In 1879 sbe oper-
ated extensively in Philadelphia In company with Tan
named Gibson, who her husDsnd or passed as snob
They swIudIed number Of people there including Jobn
Wannamager In 1876, when the climate OF Phlladel-
phia became too warm, Mrs. Hansen came TO jersey
City and began operations an extensive SCALE Among
her victims H. W. Parmen.er, from whom she OBJ
tained Si00, Samuel W. Garrettson, who contri0uted
$500, and ii. H. Farrier, who was yictmized TO the
amount 800, although he saved himself TO con-
siderable extent by taking Mrs Hansen's diamonds 40
security She made great display at that tme aud her
horses carriages diamonds and dresses were the envy
OF all behoders. o,
Her method was about the same then now. She
represented herself the hetress to half million dol
lars left her by her uncle priest IN Germany sad
that she was q OF Cardinal McCloskey and thas
the Cardinal Archbishop Wood Of Philadelphia wero
the necessary to secure her Inheritance Tor
her Samuel ". Garrettson caused her arrest on .
charge OF obtaining under false preences but az
tho trial Counsellor Winfield cast so much rdlcule upon
the complainant for allowing himself 10 10 swinded oy
any such shallow pretence that he succee led in laugh
Ing his client out OF court since her acqntta Mrs
Hansen supposed 10 have been operating In NewforS
IN small way, but she has not attracted the attention
of the notice until tho present time.