The herald., 1896-05-30

be sent to him to be used in securing
title and working the claim. Jensen was
told that priests cannot hold property
in Texas, and that he could have the
mine placed in his own name, but to be
sure and send on the money.
Instead of doing this Jensen, thinking
that he had struck a snap, threw up his
job and started for Ell Paso. Arrived
there, Berger was somewhat surprised
to see him. but accepted the situation
He found Jensen a place to board and
said he would write to Mr.. King. who
was to show the mine to Jensen. Two or
three days passed and King had not
been heard from, the father being very
much out of patience at his delay
Meanwhile. however, he had told Jen-
sen that he was temporarily a little
short, and had secured several loans on
one pretext and another.
Finally one day the pair went to the
postoffice to see if King had been heard
from and the father got a letter. He
tore it open in Jensens presence, look
of joy overspread his countenance and
he announced that they need no longer
worry, that he would now be all right
The message was shown to Jensen and
pretended to be a letter from the Ger
man consul in San Francisco notifying
Berger to proceed Immediately to that
city, bringing proofs of his identity and
secure a fortune from Germany which
had been left him by distant relative
Berger was overjoyed. Now he was all
right-eXcept that he had no money to
get to San Francisco to secure the in
heritance. OF course Jensen would ad-
vance the amount which he did
"A ticket to San Francisco was pur-
chased, Berger borrowed something for
travelling expenses; also a fine s75 Nav
aJo blanket and an expensive revolver.
all from Jensen, and one morning set
Out, He went far BENSON Ariz
where he got off, sold the balance of his
unused ticket and telegraphed back to
Jensen that he had while on the train
been robbed of all he possessed. Send on
more money. Once more Jensen dug
up and telegraphed on $25 to the father
Then he waited for his return from San
Francisco or at least a letter.
While in FL Paso he met German
shoemaker named August Fuhrmann,
residing at POP San Antonio street In
| conversation Jensen mentioned the holy
| fathers name and found that Fuhrmann
also knew him. To the shoemaker. at
| whose house he boarded While in FL Paso,
| Berger told the same fairy story about
| the Frisco fortune and succeeded in Dor
| rowing Sl25 from him for the trip He
| cautioned Fuhrmann to be very careful
| and not mention the matter to his wife.
| which was observed. Then Berger
| struck her, under the same caution and
same story, got $25 from her. Fuhrmann
| also claims that when the priest went
! away he took his 1925 gold watch and
| chain, which he never saw again, and
| is not liable to.
| When the two deluded Germans once
| got their heads together they quickly
| saw how they had been swindled. and
| made an attempt to head Berger off, but
| he had left Benson after a five days stay
| and has not been seen since. At present
| he is supposed to be in Mexico. Jensen
| sorrowfully came back to Los Angeles
| a sadder and wiser man. He got here
| several days ago and is now at his home,
/ 800 Messenger street.
| Besides Jensen there are others here
who mourn their losses. One is Blanch-
ard, the Plaza photographer. who is
| short SIS worth; another is ]. X. CHAIN
| ers, a real estate agent at 404 South
Broadway; also Mrs. Cordier, who re-
sides at Seventh and Main streets. There
is also another German who lives a
short distance from the city who it is
| claimed lost several hundred dollars.
| Jensen himself is out about 5000 in all
but has probably grown that much wiser
| than he was.
| When Berger first came to Los Angeles
! he was in possession Of certain articles
| which, in the light of recent actions, he
| may not have had the exclusive title to-
| To Campbell, the curio man, he sold q
| fine piece OF altar lace. worth several
| hundred dollars, for SIS, and to other
| parties various kinds of goods and jew
| elry. He Is a smooth article, speaks ex-
| cellent English, German and Spanish
| and is probably as bogus in his preten-
sions as a priest as he has proved him
! self in other directions.