The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-31
The Noted EmbezzIer Walks
Past His Jailer to I.iberty.
HIS CAREER At PORT ANGELES.
Every Business Act Showed Him to Be
Utterly Devoid of Honesty.
His Last "Bank" Had Few Local Pa
trons, But the Seattle sationaI and
Others of His Corresnonslents Lost
No Clue to the Fagitixs.

Banker Benjamin F. Schwartz aas made his
escape from our county jail. sast night ut
nearly midnight he slipped by tho iailer, who
was making a fire, ana passed our oi the door,
which was open, escaping in tae darkness. The
county jail is an insignificant CLAIR Ii was
built by the city of Port Angeles in which to
conf drunkards and vagTante The county,
not having q building of its own Leases this
from the city, and has kept its prisoners con-
fined there under guard. There are but two
cells and a front room. sort of reception or
"ofice part. 1t has been the habit OF the
guards to allow prisoners to remain in the front
part during waking hours, keepins. them under
surveillance This watch ofter tseomes lax, of
course, and was more so in this case than COM
mon. This was owing to the fact shat Schwartz
was small, and had convinced his: keepers that
there was no danger of his going away even If
turned entirely loose.
There Is evidence which shows that this es-
cape had been planned for maay days His
Vile has been very active in his behalf She
made trip to Seattle last Snnd.y returning
the night before his escape Lsst saight she was
observed upon the streets up 10 naIf an hour
before his escape. His attorney, John Trum-
ouil who resides in Port Townsend, came to
Port Angeles last night, retiring tFaif an hour
before the escape. These matters iyere given as
reasons tor Schwartz being allowed by his
keeper up at such a late hour consulting and
visiting. Now that he is gone two facts are
pointed to that give theories as L, his escape
One that several Indians who live on the Elwha
river were IN Port Angeles all das and up TO a
late hour at night and many sliv@nce the the
ory that Schwartz was taken in a c6noe by them
across the straits to the British sade; another
that small sailing vessel obseryed to come
from "up 'und' ia the eyenin. aeid anchor at
the east end left before mcrning and many
think arrangements had been mage at Towns
end or Seattle tor this This theory is advanced
AT pEadf
the Jail for m ore than block in that direction
There are many other theories and suggestions
being made, but the foregoing are those be-
lieved by most OF our citizens.
1t will be hard for Schwartz 70 conceal him
self. He is well known throughout the United
states and by many foreigners He is AZ years
OF age, man OF small stature, being about B
feet or inches in height, weighing about l2b
pounds; large nose, dark eyes, dark hair mixed
slightly with gray, heavy dark mu3tache. His
hands were small and the backs were hairy as
was his neck aud breast, showing above his
shirt collar. In appearance he was always neat
and drsssy, much OF taiker ard we'll i'll
formed.
Before coming to Port Angeles sehwartz had
been engaged in various pursuitz. He con-
Quoted a newspaper in Wisconsin, aT.d a collec-
tou agency n Chicago. Ee WAS snanager of
theatrical troupes for five or SIX gears, and
travelling salesman Tor crock nv, Glassware aud
other Eastern cities. In these gi!rsuits he
visited at different times all the principal por-
tions of the United states, the Euds OF the
Paclhc ocean and Europe. In early life he was
clerk in the treasury department as Washing
ton Cl;y, where his parents resided sor eight or
nine years
The career of Schwartz in Port angeles has
been that OF an irresponsible bDofaer of fakir
propensities. He first came hefs n the early
spring of 1899 with one ]. Sah.ineer, and To-
gether they succeeded III establishing the First
National bank, OF this city. Had they then set
tied down to legitimate business and conducted
bank upon safe prime pl IS, succC ss would have
been assured. But instead of this Ehey specu-
lated in zeal estate, organized u construction
company to do street WORK upon fpase and fic-
titious capital and procured franchise for water
works, electric light works ana gas yForks upon
false representations ana upon falsc pretenses.
Only one result could follow. Scnwartz was
"hred" from the presidency and direztorship of
the bank, owing to MISUNDERSTANDING shady
transactions, in April. 1891. Alter tie trial aud
acQuittal of Henry Bennett for the robbery of
the bank of some $500, upon the theory ad-
vanced by the defense that involved s;ahlinger,
he resigned cashier and left the rity so far
forever. No one knows his where4 boats.
Later III August, 1891, Mr.. Schwartz 'organ-
lied the Bank OF Port Angeles. No one in this
city had any stock in the institution. He was
bank. He was so well known that none of our
business men carried any accounts OF ilnpor-
taDce with him. No one believed tie bank"
had any actual capital as a foundation. But il
enabled Schwartz to do collecting, bus warrants,
issue a little exchange-make "pretsase." lie
was, therefore. enabled to borrow mGney from
other banks aud bankers, which. with the
few deposits he was able to get he sutFaisted and
continued to keep UP appearances.
But of course, end had TO come Z, all this
One day a adepositor asked FOR his rnGaey, $500.
Schwartz could not pay. AT once sill t:ie deposi-
tors wanted their funds. Schwartz never 'sus-
pended" He did not believe tia, formality
was necessary. He simply 'explaired' that
money was on the way, kilograms has miscar-
ried: that all would be right in few days A
little investigation, however, began 10 show
that he making false rerresan tatons
Others discovered that he ha.; appropri-
ated trust moneys to himself, THAI he had
been guilty OF procuring money under direct
false pretenscs. IN short, that he was & criminal
He was arrested by warrant sworn out by
James :. Cpolicau. charging him VITA embez-
zling 500 belonging to one oi his eampan es.
Schwartz was cleared. W. K. Gay defending
him, upon a technicality. Later MF. Gay dis
covered that schwartz had embezsess a 81, 600
note aad mortgage the property OF hIe brother,
which had been intrusted 20 Schwartz in the
capacity of an agent For this Schwartz was
arrested and convicted. receiving the compare
lively light sentence of eighteen mon: :hs i'll the
peuiIenfisry schwartz put up a pitiful plea
that he the victim OF d cons spiracy: that he
had something sensational to develop; but
never once did he pretend to assert THAI he WAS
not guilty In fact. this practically al
mitsed. and he was showing bimaeI 10 De q
tlsokmaier, trying to frighten his victims.
Mrs. schwartz IS Il most estimaoie la sy. IL is
said that " hen she married she had A Izttle Tor
tune OF about sS,gol she now claims 10 be
far as known, and many express ous OF sym-
pathv are heard for her. Many, however, be
lieve that Schwartz has money. Il Is estimated
that he has in some way either sq!aeiered or
got away with nearly 81, coo IN the last sixteen
months. Much Of this fails upon Otizer banks
and bankers Tne Knights OF Pythias Eodge, OF
this city, of which he was TREASURER. sxe losers
to the amount of SAGA The Seattle National
bank had sent Mr.. schwartz Port urstes city
warrant for collection. This Schwartz embeZ-
zed and turned over 10 Frank Meersals. OF this
city, for sS1Q The Columbia Natioasl bank Of
Tacoma. are out s. 900, paE, OF waica tkey hone
10 save out of collalerais and property tzey have
attached, though most of the coll aterals have
been paid. The Merchants Natioaal tank and
Oregon National bank, OF Portland. thSs Anglo
California and other san Francisco banks are
ali losers TO a more or less extent ra;giag from
$j.0o1 TO sl,ooa
sheriff Gould says he IS confident be will re-
capture schwartz, and Is making al Effort TO do
So He has sent out many ielegra.as and has
been active ali day
"smifhy" Gets = Divorce.