The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-08
SHE DUPED THEM.
A Crafty Widow Preys on
Susceptible Bachelors.
Mrs. Jennie Bates Arrested and
Taken to Reno for Fraudulently
Using the Mails.

A San Francisco widow who has recently
been living In Oakland has caught many
gudgeons OF la In her matrimonial net. Her
wiles have somewhat undone several Nevada
aud Or gOn men. employed the post0ffice de-
tectives, interested a few persons, and In the
end amused many more. She is at least 40
years old, fat and slovenIy; but in "exchang-
ing photos" this crafty widow always sent that
OF a Miss BOnney of Oakland, who is 20 years
old and pretty. The widow obtained a number
OF Miss Bonnry's portraits from photographer
whom the young lady patrcniZed, and now he
will probably have TO explain the transaction
The widow is Mrs. Jennie Bates aud Is under
arrest and on her way 10 Reno for using the
United States mail for fraudulent purposes.
The first complaint received against her was
made TO Deputy Marshal Young al RENO. and
was fled by j. B. Halliday OF that place. He
had sent her $50 TO come TO Reno. Her plan
was 10 advertise in sensational newspapers for
correspondence with suitable gentleman"
and when he was sufficiently engaged TO ask
for money enough 70 outfit and go TO him. The
money often came, but the widow never went
Williim 3. Harrigan OF Oregon was another
victim.
Both Halliday and Harrigan were induced to
make the needed affidavits and the woman was
located aud placed under arrest for using the
mails fraudulenty.
In her trunk Deputy Young found 112 letters,
and her mall when arrested amounted to
eight or ten letters day. One of her victims
was Justice OF the Peace Bradley of Logan.
Utah, who sent her 500.
Mrs Bates own letters always began in a
very modest and conventional way, and then
gradually led up 10 the most ardent love. JUS
tice Br adley having confessed that he was too
old for her, she wrote:
Don't give up. my darling. President CIeve-
land a man OF so, married a young girl In her
teens almost. and am nearly OLD maid. My
picture makes me look too young.
Up to date letters to her are said to be still
coming In, and the postal authorities think she
must have received over $4,000 during the past
few months. But what has she done with IL &?
Her abode showed extreme poverty in every
detail, and she has, as far as known lived
quietly. She knew the weak points of her
admirers. Here Is sample of her letters to
Mr.. Harrigan:
OAKLAND, December %.
My OlUn Dear and True Friend (for such know
you are to mel; received your dear, good letter
and picture, and thank you very much. What a
nice letter you can WRITE and love to read tn IN
Never mention a word again about your writing
ant spelling. for it pleases and cults me. | have
looked at aud studied your picture so much that
am deeply in love VITA it. oh, my darling, Just
wish could you today. L VIII be true ana
will be content with you and your house. q o mat
ter how humble 1t may be. You shall never know
an hours pain or sorrow. 1 am no idier, and
shall want to add my little mite to the est ell
you. my dear. With love and fondest regards
your little girl friend, JENNIE.
II would seem by this that good and smart
women are scarce where these gentlemen live
and that Jennie" has swept portions of Ore
gon and Nevada with a cyclone OF simulated
love and drawn shekels from many a trusting