The herald., 1893-01-31
HE IS CHARGED WITH MURDER,
w. Nordholdt's Serious Charge
Against Henry Bentley.
The Latter Charged with Killing His
Wife Who Was Mrs. NOrdholdt.
The Sen aational Features of the Case as
Far as Dsveloped-Beutley's Ca
reer Hereabouts- Dis
trict Attorneys Views.

William. F. Nordhorldt last evenin,
swore to warrant charging Henry
Bentley with the murder OF his mother
Mrs. Nordholdt- Bentley.
The dead woman was Bentley's wife
and Bentley is the steptather of the
young man who makes the serioul
charge.
The warrant was issued from Justice
Seaman's court about O'Clock last
evening and placed in the hands OF Sher
if Cline.
Since the death of Mrs. Nordholdt.
Bentley, about one month ago, there
have been rumors to the effect that she
had been foully dealt with, and that her
death was encompassed in order that
Bentley might get possession of her
estate, which is valued at about $75, 900.
These rumors were based mainly upon
the statements he is charged with hav-
ing made, to the effect that he
merely married the old lady
in order to get possession
of her property. These rumors were
supplemented by the statement of a
woman who states that Bentley prom
ised to marry her after his wife died,
which would be in about three months.
The woman TO whom this statement is
alleged to have been made did not make
any report at the time, 30 lar as is
known, but recollected it only after the
death OF Bentley's wife.
Tbs two women who claim that they
were engaged TO him were no doubt fur
ther exasperated by the reports Of the
last few weeks, which they must have
no doubt heard, to the effect that Bent
ley was already in search of another
wealthy widow. In fact, he was en-
deavoring to get some one to introduce
him to handsome widow who owns an
estate valued ct about $2,000,000, in
cluding several prominent business
blocks upon which is emblazoned the
name of her late husband.
Bentley only wished an introduction
and he would do the rest, being satisfied
of his persuasive powers. Bentley is
about 35 wears OF age and Mrs. Nordholdt
was aged 81 years at the time of her
death.
These rumors assumed such shape
that the district attorney ordered an in-
vestigation several days ago. On last
Saturday Coroner Gates exhumed the
remains of Mrs. Nordholdt-B at
Rosewood cemetery.
A further examination was made yes
terday, and, while the coroner will not
state what was discovered, it is believed
that traces of poison were found in the
stomach.
A subsequent investigation was held
last evening in a drug store on Spring
street, the coroner and several physi-
CLANS haing of the party. The result of
the investigation was not given out by
the coroner, he stating that he was act
ing under instructions of secrecy.
However, it is this investigation, no
doubt, that led to the issuance of the
warrant.
For the past several days Bentley has
been under surveillance-his every
movement watched.
Up to O'Clock this morning Bentley
had not been brought to the county Jail.
1t is believed, however, that he was
arrested, aud held prisoner at his resi-
dence.
II lie stated, and perhaps with some
credence, that Mrs. Nordholdt decided to
Bentley portion, or perhaps all of her
property, before the marriage ceremony,
as that was the consideration of the
marriage.
In her last will she gave all of her re.
naming property to Bentley, bequeath-
ing to her children only IS each.
Immediately after the marriage her
son and daughter moved from the fam
lily residence at East Seventh and Wall
streets.
The fellow Bently is German By
birth, and seems to have a mania for
riches, and has been known to approach
comparative strangers and offer them
money, in case of success, If they would
introduce him to rich widows.
BENTLEY's CAREER HEREABoUTs.
Henry Bentley, since leaving the oc-
cupstion of gardener in Phoenix, Ariz.,
has been looking around for wealthy
widows. He seemed to believe that the
field was more profitable and better
than to assume the title of count or a
"dook" and fish for heiressss. Yet
everything was fish, or game, that came
in his way.
On arriving in Los Angeles about two
years ago, he wac employed as coach
man for Mr.. Robinson, the dry goods
and afterward by Major
Jones. During this time he kept both
eyes on the alert for rich widows with
susceptible fancies, who might possibly
Become infatuated with coachman.
He organized in his mind marriage
bureau, and offered to several of his ac-
quaintances certain sums of money If
they would procure for him wealthy
widow, the money to be paid over after
he had married the unsuspecting widow
and gotten possession of her property.
A matrimonial broker introduced him
to Mrs. Nordholdt of this city, who
owned property valued at about $4,000.
She seems to have become emitten with
the "coachy," and acting against the
advice of her children, fed to San Jose
with the coachman, and married him
about one year ago. While there the
fellow induced the old lady to deed him
all OF her property. They then went to
San Franbisco, where it is said he
placed his bride, aged about "a years, in
an attic room in third-rate lodging
house. She being unable to move
around without assistance he left fe-
male attendant with her, to act as spy
upon her movemente,
Bluebeard Bentley then came to Los
and was cutting wide swath
With the dude element.
Bentley'e long absence used the old
ady to write to one of her children in
luiring as to his movements.
They now learned OF the marriage,
she deciding Of the property, and the
iurther fact that Bentley's. mission
here was to put the deeds upon record.
The children were about to institute