Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-11
CRANDALL CONFESSES,
The Life Insurance Swindler
Admits His Guilt.
His Arrival in Buffalo Causes
Sensation.
Called On by a Number of People Who
Identified Him-Father and Son
Meet-Taken to the
Jail.

dispatch from Buffalo says that
Crandall. the man charged with swind-
ling life insurance companies, and ar
rested here few weeks ago has con-
fessed his identity. 1t reads as follows :
Crandall has confessed. Realizing
the futility of further attempting to de-
ny his identity in the face of the web OF
evidence which has been so completely
woven about him, Crandsll sent for his
counsel this morning and said: "There
is no use of concealing my identity any
longer. / am Crandall, Brant B. Gran
DALI" This statement was made public
by the lawyer. Crandall is. the man
who is accused of attempting to swindle
a number of insurance companies. His
death was reported, but he was found
alive at Los Angeles, California, under
another name and brought here by de-
tective, who had been on his trail for
tome time.
CRANDALL IN BUFFALO.
From the Buffalo Times of the 4th in
stant the following account of Crandall's g
arrival is taken:
| Detective Diehl. with handbag in
one hand and his coat slung over his
shoulder, was seen stepping from the
forward end of the day coach. Right
behind him was an old man, who looked
the typical California farmer. He was
tall and broad-shouldered, while thin
gray beard hid his chin and cheeks.
His almost white hair was covered by
big white sombrero. His clothing was
such as any farmer might wear. As he
stepped forward to Detective Diehl's
side he pulled his hat away down over
his face. almost masking it from the
many curious eyes that were directed
toward him. Nevertheless, people were
sure 1T was the man wanted, and several
addressed him as "Mr. Crandall," but
he paid no more attention to the saluta-
tiOn than would q man who had never
heard it.
Before any business was done, Gran
dali was served with luncheon, which
he ate with much relish.
After q while Mr.. Tiffany and DIR.
Brown were admitted.
The old man looked up as anyone
would upon the entrance of another.
He gave no sign of recognition when
Mr.. Tiffany, holding out his hand, said
familiarly: ''How are you, Crandall,
old man? lam glad to see you back
again."
All Crandall replied was 81 have not
the pleasure of your acquaintance"
DIR. Brown tried the same tactics and
was treated to similar reply.
Then the old man was asked if he
wished to see his son. ys
"My son." he asked in a querulous
tone and with look of surprise. 'sNo.
don't want to see anybody. else toH,.
night, if can help it. Twould like to-
60 to bed.''
Nevertheless he was ushered into the
telegrapher's room and John B. Gran
dali and his friend, Samuel Stewart,
admitted to the room just vacated. The
young man was told to look through
the glass partition and just as he stepped
there for that purpose, the old man saw
him and raising his hat partially hid
his face from view.
But the young man had seen enongh.
II think it Is my father" he said, "but
he has changed q great deal since I saw
him last. don't think he recognized
me. Why should he? 1t is more than
six years since he saw me last and was
then little lad. I have grown two feet
since then"
lis it so, that you will assist in pros
ecuting him, as some people say ?"
asked the reporter.
II have nothing to say" was the la
comic reply.
Mr.. Stewart, the young mans COM
panion, was sure that the prisoner was
Craudall.
"You are not looking we'll, Mr.. Gran
DALI" said he, ''I hope, though, you
will soon be better"
II thank you for your kind wishes.
1t seems to me I have seen you before,
but I cannot recall you. What is your
name 2"
"Stewart," was the answer.
"Stewart! Stewartl 1t seems to me
have heard the name and seen your
face, but where can't tell"
'We had business transactions before
you left" suggested Mr.. Stewart.
LEFT where? Los Angeles 2" asked the
prisoner.
Here in Buffalo," said Mr.. Stewart.
The prisoner made no reply.
Then the reporters were invited to
see the prisoner.
Then he was asked to make state
ment for the press; He replied: II
asked the chief to have you sent in be-
cause the reporters out west complained
that they hadn't been allowed to see
AA4OS Oue ! OAuA Y W6AU buO OAACAaAo w OO
blamed by the reporters here. What I
want to say is this. have been sick
for some time and am now completely
exhausted after travelling, and I don't
feel able to have any talk with you now.
That is about all I have to say.''
"Do you still deny that your name is
Crandall 2"
"I've nothing to say about that, nor
have spoken to anyone and shall not
until I've consulted with lawyer"
Have you engaged counsel?"
II have told you that do not care to
answer such questions"
This ended the interview and Crandall
was taken upstairs and placed in cell.
After he was gone Superintendent Nor
genstern said: II feel convinced it is
Crandall, but he won't admit it,"
He admitted to me that he had been
living in Los Angeles since November,
1885, under the name of Bryant B. Will
son, but denied all knowledge of his be-
trayer. Mrs. Rowland. I asked him If
he saw Mr.. Sirret in Los Angeles some
years ago and he forgot himself for q
moment and replied: He may have
seen me, but did not see him."
Another slip occurred when asked
him if his wife had sent him any of the
insurance money. No, never cent
he replied. If she had would not have
been in pauper hospital"
TALKED IN HIS SLEEP.
49, Y