The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-11
gWINDIER LODTMAN CAUGHT
The SUMS Portrait or Him Leads to His Arrest
in San Francisco.

Ih0 suns Portrait OF HIN Leo01 70 HIS Arrest
in San Francisco.
San Francisco. July 1O.-In tho city prison
with o charge Of forgery against him Is William
Lodtman, one OF tho most notorious crooks in
tho country, and he yves his arrest to THE Sun.
which recently printed his picture and q story
Of some of his many swindles in passing forged
checks drawn on New York newspapers. This
Sun article and picture were copied into the
Jetrellers' Circular, and through this Lodtman
was identified here as he had just begun swim
ding operations. Two days ago Hammersmith
6 Field reported to Police Headquarters that
they believed themselves to be victims of the
swindler who had been exposed by THE Sur.
He had persuaded them to part with q diamond
ring for a worthless check.
Early this week. protesting to be in the employ
Of the Eagle Publishing Company Of Philadcl-
phia. he bought the ring and gave in payment q
$50 check purporting to be drawn by the Eagle
Publishing Company in favor of William Lodt-
man. He Endorsed tho check to Hammersmith
& Field, and It was accepted as the purchase
price of the jewelry. The next day a copy of the
Jeueliers' Circular containing THE Sun article
and the picture of Lodtman arrived in the mail,
and the resemblance OF the portrait to the pur-
chaser of the diamond ring was noted. Deteo-
tives were put on the case, and Lodtman was
arrested yesterday in Suffer street.
He admitted that he was staying at the Russ
House with his wife, Officers went there to
search MS encCIS. w men the woman was tOld
OF his arrest she attempted to shoot herself.
Search OF room revealed several
empty jewelry cases and a pair of valuable field
glasses. The latter he had secured from q local
dealer by means of q worthless check. He had
tried unsuccessfully to work his check game on
two other houses In this city.
Lodtman's wife, whose maiden name was Anna
Roberts, says she was married to LodtInan three
years ago In Peru. ILL.,, where her people now
reside. She admits she knew Of
criminal operations in the East. but snys he
came to California resolved to lead a better life.
1t was his failure to keep that promise that made
her try to end her life. Mrs. Lodtman appears
not to be moro than 80 years old. fully fifteen
years younger thnn her husband.
William Lodtman. known yarionsly by that
name and as James S. Elliott, II. J. FrGwley, and
Charles A. Brush. has been swindling people in
the South and West for some months by present
ing forged drafts. The drafts have all been for
small sums. but they have been many. Last
spring and in the early summer he operated In
tho South, getting drafts for ga each, purport-
ing to be drawn on THE SUN, tho Tribune.
and tho Mail and Express, cashed by friends Of
the papers In different cities. All the drafts
were forgerics, and tho swindler WAS exposed in
all OF the papers. THE Sun 6rst exposed him on
May 80. and again. some weeks later. 1t printed
his picture and an account OF his career.
The New York police call Lodtmann n notorious
forger, and say that no was arrested here last
year for swindl!ng people by means OF spurious
checks and WINS sent to BlaCkwells Island. His
picture is In the Rogues'G Gallery.