Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-25
Crandall Did Not Suicide In
Niagara,
Though His Widow Collected His Life
Insurance.
A Sensational Arrest Made by Chie'
GIass-A Swindle of Six Years
Ago Observation-Disclosures
esting Details.

Bryant B. Crandall, at least the proof is
convincing that such is the name he
went by, and he is supposed to be dead.
Several insurance societies were so satis-
fed that he was actually dead that they
finally gave up $4,000, the aggregate
amount of his insurance.
The story is best told by Chief Glass
and Officer Motif, who made the discov-
cry and effected the capture of the man,
thus unearthing a mystery which ex-
cited unusual interest in New York, and
upon which large sums of money have
been expended.
Some six years ago man named Bry-
ant B. Crandall resided in Buffalo, N.
Y. He was an unusually well-known
citizen, and belonged to a number OF
secret societies which had insurance
features. He was Royal Arch Mason.
was an officer of the grand lodge of An
cient Order of United Workmen, 9 mem
ber OF the National Western Masonic
Aid association, and Of the Royal Tenn.
piers OF Temperance. He was married
man and had been soldier in the rebel
lion. In fact he bore good reputation,
and had a large circle of acquaintance
and friends.
One day he expressed considerable
emotion in talking about himself and
eaid that he did not believe he would
live much longer. He even wrote let
ter that he would kill himself. His
friends thought that he was not in
earnest and did not pay much attention
to what he said. A few days later,
however, he disappeared. The police
we're notified and a search inaugurated,
which led to the discovery of his hat on
the shore of Niagara river, above the
falls. Three months later the body OF q
man was taken out OF the river below
the falls. Crandall was man of Pc
culiar physical points. His head was
abnormally large, and he had crippled
glancing blow of an axe. These pc
of the drowned man. They were identi-
buried as the remains of Bryant B.
Crandall. As soon as the last rites were
performed, steps were taken by the wife
to collect the various polices of insurance
which he held. They were in the fol-
lowing organizations The Masonic
Life association of Western New York,
the grand lodge of New York of the An
cient Order of United Workmen, the
North Western Masonic Aid association,
Chicago, ILL.,, the Royal Templars of
Temperance, John Lyth. supreme treas
urer. 7
There seemed to be something sus-
picious about the circumstances Of the
case to the officers of the various organ
izations in which Crandall held policies,
and they started an investigation. The
idea was conceived that it was put up
job, and that Crandall was not really
dead. So firm was the belief of the
companies in this theory that they Of
fered $40, 900 reward for the detection of
the supposed imposture. Detectives
worked faithfully upon the case, but
proof was wanting.
In August, 1888, the reward was in
creased to SIS 900. In spite of all efforts,
however, the body slept quietly in the
cemetery, and little by little the insur-
ance companies tired of their efforts.
The payment of the policies was fought
as long as possible, when in 1890 every
company paid up, the policies aggregat-
ing SIC, 900, which Mrs. Crandall is sup
posed to have received. Alter that all
interest in the case died out, the reward
was withdrawn, and it was believed that
there could be but little doubt that
>Crandall was dead as door nail.
Some seven months ago one of the
officers of the city saw man on the
streets of Los Angeles, whom he thought
looked very much like Crandall, having
known the man in the east. He men,.
toned the circumstance. and Chief
Glass at once sent for photographs and
descriptions. Very good pictures OF the
supposed dead man were sent to Los An
geles by Superintendent of Police Dam
lei Morgenstein, of Buffalo, and Nelson
o. Tiffany, secretary of the Masonic
Life association, OF New York. Chief
Glass informed no one except Officer
Moffit, of the circumstances, and to-
gether they worked upon the slight
clues they had, which indeed seemed
very slight.
Fate seemed to take very prominent
hand in the case, however, The photo
graphs arrived only three weeks since,
but several days ago man came to the
county hospital for treatment, who gave
his place of residence as above Newhall
at the oil wells, where he had been
working as an engineer. He was suf-
feriug from trouble with his shoulder,
which hesaid had been injured at the
oil wells. He was taken in, and after
remaining at the hospital for q
few days, began to get better. He came
| into the city several times, always re-
turning to the hospital. During one Of
these visits to the city he was recog-
nized, and Chief Glass and Officer Moi
fit went to the hospital last Thursday
night. The man was in bed and asleep.
When awakened he was told that he was
wanted. He asked if it was for an ex-
animation. Chief Glass replied in the
affirmative, and he was brought over in
closed hack to the city Jail, where he
has eince been confined in cell, no one
knowing why he was there.
He was examined carefully and sew
eral bottles were taken away from him,
which are thought to contain poison.
He has been carefully watched, the Off
cers. providing against any attempt be
might make to commit suicide, if such
should be his desire. When asked his
name he said it was Bryant. He denies
absolutely that he is Crandall, and
laughs at such supposition.
He 6ts the description accurately
however, and Chief Glass is certain that
he has the man who in 1885 so totally
disappeared as to fool number of the
cleverest detectives in the United States
h L. - -l9 l.