The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-27
aBIG BERTHA" ISHERE
The Ex- Confidence Qneen" is
Now 4 Wrestler.



Bertha STANLEY. better known 70 most Of
the chiefs at police in Tia country e "BiR
Bertha, the Confidence oueen.'i after ;
most remarkable career 81 two years in
San Francisco. IN which sha figured q the
leader 81 Jewish societv circles and after-
wards 4 defendant - 4 charre az obtain.
ing money under false pretenses. L the
guest Of 1 downtown hotel.
''Big Bertha" Il undoubtedly one Of the
cleverest women that ever played upon the
condolences of the unsuspectinr. and her So
iourn in San Francisco win never be for
gotten by the police officials and certain
residents Of that CITY. Her acauittal in
Judge Murphy's court : few months ago
ended one Of the most sensational trials
Known on the Pacific coast.
Arriving in the citv Of the Golden Gate
about two wears AGO. Mrs Stanley. a. she
STYLED herself. REGISTERED At the Palace
hotel. and bv her manner gave forth the
impression that she Vas : lady Of mn
limited wealth travelling for pIeasr,re. Al
most her earliest move Vas to cali on Rev.
DR.. Messing. the leading Jewish rabbi OF
that CITY. who had known her in DAYS Of
childhood-
She was most warmly received BY the
rabbi. and introductions into the most
fashionable Jewiah circles followed. Mrs.
Stanley,s diamonds. her fashionable attire
and seductive conversation and the non.
cbalance With which she referred 10 her
pecuniarv affairs. had the eject always
produced in anch instance She VS.
overwhelmed With admirers. and MANY Of
the piddv vonths Who vera thrown inta
her comnanv made oSEsr, Of marriage.
Mrs. Stanley fairly charming in person.
end more 20 in manner. I widow Of means.
was 4 temptinp bait.
Rabbi Messing took the initiative aud
sure ested that she marry into his family.
After mild protestations. she accepted the
offer Of William Gruhn. one of the doctors
near relatiyes Gruhn was : vell-to-do
merchant and he fairly shoWered presents
on his expected bride. and ere long she
was in possession Of diamonds valued at
5000. purchased by him. The engage
ment vas followed by fashionable rec en-
ton in which the charming Mrs. Stanley
was the cvnosure Of all eyes.
Another individual present upon whom
the Younger ladies smiled was I fair
haired youth who had scarcelv more than
reached his majority. and who Was inrro-
duced bv Mrs. STANLEY az s.WilIie. INV step-
SON. A such Willie vas accepted. al
though later events proved that her rela-
tons to him were other than maternal
Willie too. cut wide swath. and on one
occasion. when temporarily EMBARRASSED.
be borrowed $500 OF the man Who was to
marry his ..mothey.n
Mrs. Stanley changed her boarding
place soon after her engagement, and
Henry Parsons. nephew Of the landlady.
became smitten with the fair Bertha.
Parsons was Z wealthy ieWeler and with
him Mrs. Stanley eloped. Willie ACCOM-
panyine the pair.
Gruhn. enrared at having his affections
lacerated ana awakinc 70 = realization AZ
the manner IN which he had been duped.
placed the matter in the hands Of Chief
Crowlev. Warrants vera sworn mt and
the newsnaners printed columns concern
ing the social upheaval.
The trio had f1ed II Tex.. and recu;s;.
tons being obtained Officers Gillen and
Parrot succeeded in locating them at San
Anron,o. at which Mace thew were arrested
and than hroncht hacr
Mrs. STANLEY ana Willie vere nlaced IN
iail. Both we're CHARGED With ohtaininc
money under false nretenses' and ! lenvth1
and mo.t sen.at;onaI trial fcllov.a NO..
Judee Mnrnhv Erroncres.mar Ron
Ferral and CHARLES r. Darvin defended
her and the ;urv hropobt IN . v.ra;ct cf
mot cniItv. .Will;e . however "a, AN.
tanced 10 s;r months,s;mnr; and !.
fine Of 500
From ,ha tim. of n. d;..,o.rr. - 49,
onera,;on. until bar scn,,;t,sl Ch;ss Co.
lav .ort;rr.iIv -.,a;v.a 49,, 49,, ~.
cern;no her E..tsrn r..ora -, - ,vS;as
foprd ~. w.v into Mini A. .,,s.
!. BIC Rerth. becsme fsmors .ra -h.r
.ot free che Vas maid an enormous .s,.r ~
bv a theatrical MANAGER to anpear in vsr;.
ors ,hs.tr;csl rol.s
4 posr-Irrx,Y,orvc ~.r.... .,,.s :,
ha- hot.l Last r;.h, Lncos - 49, -" :.
ne. sr.v.rsd hv 1..ss 49,. L. -. wv.
womsr sttirsd IN : f..h;onsh,v az. -.,ss..