The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-10
WIDOW HUNTERS OF THE SLOPE.
California Has Developed Two New
Criminal Industries.
From the Ne,o York World


Los ANGELES, CAL, March S.-The pre-
limiusry examination of Henry Bentley,
charged with poisoning his wife, has brought
to life the existence of a band of Borgias in
this city. In connecting the various links
in the chain of testimony on which Bentley
is held under the charge of murder it was
shown that several other rich widows mar
nowly escaped the fate of the late Mrs
Nordhalt, whom Bentley is charged with
numbering In order TO get possession of her
100000 estate
These conspirators were acting in bus
iness-like way, it seems, for they had a list
of wealthy widows, and experts were paid
to search the records Of the assessors' offices
and other places 10 ascertain whether the
real estate of these widows was incumbered.
They also took occasion to learn about the
bank accounts, etc.
This syndicate Of rich widow hunters
were not wise in the selection of the ex-
coachman Bentley, for no sooner had he
married and got about $10,0 900 Of tho wom-
ans money than he began TO talk. This lei
to his arrest after the sudden death of his
wife. A local detective agency has m
earthed evidence which will be used atEthe
trial and which viii implicate others in Che
conspiracy, but which was not used IN the
examination of Bentley.
1t will be shown that one of the gang
proposed to a married woman that she
should kill her husband and marry him.
his motive, no doubt, was TO then kill her
and get her property. Another cOnspiratOr
proposed to an impecunious man 60 get rid
OF his wife and marry certain rich widow
with the understanding that he must like
wise dispose of her and then divide the
estate among the gang.
This list Of 'el9ible rich widows" com
prised the wealthiest ladies OF Los Angeles,
several Of whom own blocks of buildings
on the principal streets. The business agent
Oh one of these rich widows was offered by
one OF the oonspirators IS, 600 if he would
orlng about an introduction and use his
influence with the susceptible old lady, th
money to be paid after the marriage. The
uncontrolled tongueof Bentley has brought
70 light the existence of CHS gang Of con-
splrators, whose wholesale murderous plots
read more like page from the mysteries
VI Faris" than actual facts. But the
astounding facts exist, and there is a great
commotion and fear among the wealthy
Widows OF the city.
AT some of the ''swell" hotels gangs Of
fortune hunters are found. These are not
pIorglas In search of rich wives, bus young
cHecdtlers d'tndustrie who iDgratiate them
sseIVes into the society OF married women
rom the east, who have left their husbands
~ nome while they are on pleasure bent
auese young men are expert blackmailers,
ana represent themselves as men of wealth
VI Fich mems sons They are also expert
earu players and are not above relieving
S Sy rich visitor Of his surplus money at a
social game among gentlemen" Silly
LlarTied women unattended by their hus-
Janus and inexperienced men Of means
support several gangs of these blsckmailers
sAu gamblers in disguise, who are found Of
t tle SWEETEST of the hotels here and also at
; Sne seaside resorts. They are we'll organ
hotels