The morning call., 1893-12-07
HER DUAL SELF.
Mrs. BensIey Assumed a
Double Role.
TO ASSIST HER HUSBAND.
Was Marion L. de Tarente in
Her Own Deed.
SOLD HERSELF REAL ESTATE.
Interesting Developments i'm the
Bensley Case, Which Indicate
Fraud and Conspiracy.
SOLD HERSELF REAL ESTATE.


between John Bensley and his wife Attor-
ney Pierson exposed startling fraud yes
terday in the United States District Court.
For that matter the Bensley case, which
opened before Judge Morrow Tuesday
morning. is full of startling exposures. In
the beginning a review Of Bensley's pecu-
liar transactions through which his credit
ors suffered was given. Bensey failed.
fed from San Francisco at night after
transferring about 100000 in bonds,
shares and real estate to conspirators, all
of whom were his relatives. He returned
after conditional discharge in bankruptcy
was granted. and fed again as soon asvari-
Gus details of the scheme to defraud
C. editors were arranged, and just before
II was time to make a payment In ac-
cordance with the insolvency law. His
wife was the chief conspirator.
AT yesterdays proceedings the manipu-
latiOn of POtrero real estate by these two
WORTHLESS was exposed bit by bit in several
letters. Back of this is secret which may
be developed yet. 1t reads like a romance.
Mrs. Marion l.. Bensley cnrresponded
with one b. G. Chandos in the East. Their
letters would indicate that she was Chan
dos aunt, but there is evidence that she
and Chandos were sister and brother. In
one letter, without any previous intima-
ton of the subject. Chandos wrote he had
been appointed guardian of Edward Nc
Mahon, whom he sent TO San Francisco.
Mcmahon was referred 10 as "the boy"
and it appears ChandOS IN tended he should
be sent 10 DR.. Brewers school.
Mcmahon returned to Kansas City.
Mrs. Bensley went back East and made
transfer of the Potrero property to
Marion l.. de Tarente. whom she repre-
sented to be a wealthy Scotch lady from
Edinburgh. But Marion l.. de Tarente
was none other than Marion l.. Bensley
Then she came back and recorded the
deed.
"Aud who is this Mrs. de Tarente p"
asked an attorney one day when Mrs
Bensley was taken to task about her hus-
bands property.
"Oh. the De Tarentes are very rich
people who travel always" carelessly re-
piled the woman.
She was asked to find them, as she de-
sired power of attorney to transfer this
property again. She instructed Mcmahon
in Kansas City to send certain dispatch
as coming from Mrs. de Tarente. the ficti-
tious parsonage. The telegram came. but
the attorneys were suspicious and declined
to proceed in getting her the power of
attorney. So she started for Kansas
City, aud was returning with a spurious
deed in her trunk, signed by Mcmahon as
Marion l.. de Tarente, when she died at
FL Paso. The game was even then nearly
over. and she knew it.
The great fear, the excitement and
worry, however. played their own part
unconsciously. They killed her. But the
plot was at last revealed through the con-
tents of her trunks.
About he story OF the fraud as told
yesterday:
On April 25. 1877, Bensley wrote he would
e.
about the disposition of Golden City lands
He instructed his wife to consult Captain
Taylor about the property, as he con-
sidered him very shrewd and careful in
such matters June 26 Bensley wanted
his wife to attend a meeting of creditors
Two days later he asked what she thought
about q proposed settlement with credi-
tors. Next day." read Mr.. Pierson,
"Heyman commits himself by disposiug of
$4,000 shares of canal stock without any
special authority for doing So" In other
words. he committed himself by signing a
bin Of sale of these shares without Bens-
ley's advice.
Bensley addressed his wife on July 5.
telling her to be cautious and watch that
attorneys do everything without in any
way compromising her or himself II am
going 10 New York." he continues, land
you can direct telegram to me there in
the name of j. Benjamin. Then ] will 90
to Europe, but my name will not appear
on the passenger list of the steamer"
The next letter was about Heyman's
blunder regarding the sale OF canal stocks,
and it asked ''for heavens sake see tha at
Heyman does not take single step with
out consulting you. The thing for him
now is TO realize on il all he can" Bensley
evidently feared that the $4,000 shares
would be lost through this blnnder, and
perhaps the whole plot would be exposed.
Mrs. Bensey paid Heyman's interest on
July IS, 1877. on the Black Diamond coal
stock, and next day she paid street as
sessment on property held by others. Her
husband wrote for the receipt and kept il,
the amount being $3.50.
When Bensey had gone aboard the
steamer for Europe he mailed letter to
his wife. The theme of this communica-
ton was that canal stock, which just then
was oppressive on Bensley's mind. emil.
Ier," wrote Bensley ,Ireferring to the senior
partner of Miller q Lux, wants that
stock and will have it sooner or later
from you Tor rather from Heyman)." The
clause In brackets was regarded as signi.
hcant as going to prove that the stock
really belonged to Mrs. Bensley, who held
it for her husband.
Evidently Mrs. Bensley felt that the
conspirators were walking OH dangerous
ground, as the following letter will show
September Is. 1877.
Mr.. Heynan-DEAR SIR: Your favor of the
14th inst. just received and read. i positively
protest against your making any move what
ever In that matter at present. i Will let you
know when am ready. as / wrote you before
and trust to God that you have followed my
advice.
John Bensley's creditors are watching Won.
You will get yourself into serious difficulties If
you are not very careful. l have repeatedly
Informed you OF these dangers II YOU will not
listen TO me can do no more. NJ LIB.
The matter" referred to was the canal
stock, and this was the emphatic way Mrs.
Bensiey had of giving instructions on be-
half of her husband
In November. 1877, Bensley wrote to Mr.
Taylor asking him to swear that the canal
stock belonged 10 his (Bpn sley's) wife. 10
this Taylor replied to Mrs. Bensley that
be could not comply with the request
The truth Compelled Taylor 10 utter he
had never been informed that she owned