The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-04
He IS IN SEARCH OF A NEW WIFE
Quest of Henry Bailey Bentley,
Late Of This City.
He Was Once Charged With Murder,
but Got Off.
He Attempted to Get a Physician to
Introduce Him to Some Ladies,
So That He Might Marry
Again.

San Francisco Examiner Henry
Bailey Bentley might be excused for
dropping his last name when he moved
from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
The name OF man once convicted of
murder in the first degree is not good
property, and transfer to a designation
not associated with criminal trial may
be deemed pardonable.
Henry Bailey recalls no memory of
the celebrated case in Los Angeles, in
which Henry Bentley was accused OF
the murder OF his rich and elderly wife.
formerly Mrs. Nordholt. Conviction of
murder in the first degree was the re-
suit OF the trial. but Judge Smith
promptly granted motion for new
trial, and said that if the same evidence
were presented at the second trial as
at the first he would instruct the jury to
acquit the defendant.
Therefore Bentley was not tried the
second time, and on motion OF District
Attorney Dillon the case was dismissed.
Bentley moved TO San Francisco, and,
|
Bailey has been occupying rooms at
500 Mason street. He might have re-
manned incognito but for chain of
singular facts, in which the prominent
link was his desire to be introduced to
women OF this city that he might marry
again. That brought about report to
the sheriff at Los Angeles of Bentley's
presence here.
The information was sent to Los An
geles OF his residence here by detec-
tive, who desired to know ii any search
for further evidence in the criminal case
in which Bentley was the defendant
was desired. The reply was that no
evidence was desired, as the case had
ended, though confession OF guilt from
Bentley would be gratifying to those
who had been active In the prosecution.
With the reply came information OF q
Judgment againt Bentley in civil case,
and subsequently came the papers for
execution of the judgment.
The suit was brought by w. r. Burke
to recover $40. Judgment was given
on August II, 1898, for plaintiff for the
amount claimed and for s22.05 costs and
such other costs as might accrue. With
all the costs the judgment now amounts
to about $1,000.
Sheriff Harrington to serve. He was
informed that Bentley had in his pos
session come valuable diamonds and
habitually wore as a scarfpin large
opal surrounded by diamonds Theee
he was determined to get if possible.
Accompanied by Detective Stilgell,
Deputy Sheriff Harrington went to
Bentley's room yesterday morning,
knocked on the door and gained admit
lance.
Bentley offered no resistance to the
officers, and his trunks were searched
for property on which to levy. Two
gold watches-one lady'e. the other a
northumberland some rings were the
only articles of jewelry found.
The career of Bentley in Los Angeles
WAS history that excited the people OF
the whole state. The woman he mar
ried was Mrs. Nordholt, widow OF
abundant wealth, and with store OF
years as we'll as money. Some time
after the marriage she mortgaged prop
erty, and her husband was said to have
reaped the benefit OF the mortgages.
When old Mrs. Nordhot- Bentley died
her relatives found that she had drawn
and executed three separate Wills. by
the terms of each will bequeathing her
The relatives were not at all willing
to see the fair estate of the aged Mrs.
Bentley stray from their pockets into
the possession OF the young husband
and they Immediately proceeded 10
take the proper action to contest the
will. After an investigation by the at
torneys and detectives employed by the
heirs OF the dead woman, the body was
exhumed and traces OF poison were
found. Bentley was arrested and &C.
cused OF the murder, and the result of
prosecution was, fret his conviction,
then the dismissal of the case by the
district attorney.
| During the trial of Bentley in Los An
Angeles his wifs's relatives learned that
for months before Mrs. Nordnolt- Bent
ley died he had been in correspondence
with women, pretending that he desired
| TO marry.
During his residence in this city un--
der the name of Bailey he hsa constantly
| indicated desire to make the acquaint-
ance OF women, that he might offer his
hand in marriage. To young woman
he met through the introduction of an
acquaintance he said frequently that he
wanted her to introduce him to her
friends, because he wanted again to
marry.
Not long ago he called at the office of
physician vino formerly practiced in
Los Angeles. Refreshing the DOCTORS
memory as to to their previous acquaint-
ance by reminding him that ne had
treated him in Los Angeles, he asked for
introductions to ladies in this city that
he might have an opportunity to fulfill
his desire to marry. The doctor replied
that he wasn't conducting matrimo-
NAL bureau. Bentley then spoke of the
change in his fortunes since they last
met, saying that he has mines in Mexico
! and is rich. Still the physician was
obdurate and Bentley gained none OF
the introductions he covered.