The times., 1899-11-23
ARRESTED ON SUSPICION
Frank Wannamaker, a Supposed
Swindler, Caught
His Detention Due to an Attempt to
Pass an Alleged Worthless Draft
rs "A Witness-Newspaper Clippings
Telling of Crooked Deals Found.

Frank F. Wannamaker, alias W. c. Rice,
forty years Of age, was arrested yesterday
by Detectives Weldon and Horne and
locked up at No. / station, charged with
being a suspicious person. He is accused
Of being a clever swindler who, it is said,
has operated extensively throughout the
East. Hattie Lewis, twenty-eight years Of
age, who was with Wannamaker at the
time of mis- arrest, was taken into custody
and is now held at No. station as
United States witness. 1t is expected that
Wannamaker will be arraigned in court
this morning.
Wannamaker's arrest was the result OF
a complaint made at headquarters that he
had attempted to dispose OF an alleged bo-
gus draft. Detectives Weldon and Horne
were assigned to the case, and they ar
rested the man at the hotel where he and
the Lewis woman were registered as W. c.
Rice and wife. Enquiry developed that the
man had been at the hostelry about one
week, and that the woman joined him
Monday. When questioned she stated that
she knew little of Wannamaker, except that
he claimed to hail from Canton, S. D.,
and had represented himself as being
wealthy and the inventor Of a patent horse
shoe.
Later she informed the detectives, it is
said that Wannamaker induced her 10
pawn two diamond rings, on one OF which
she realized $50. The woman claimed that
Wannamaker represented to her that he
expected a remittance from his partner,
Stanley, in Canton, and would redeem the
rings when the expected remittance ar
rived
Instead of that, she claims he afterward
-
she said was being held at the hotel as d
guarantee of a board bill for $22, which he
had contracted. In addition to what other
charges the local peHee expect TO put
against Wannamaker, he viii have 10 an
sweI TO a charge Of larceny by a trick from
the Lewis woman. He Will also be given
chance TO explain certain alleged Illegal
transactions in which he is said TO have
figured in other cities number of clip
nings from newspapers in various cities
found in the possession of Wannamaker
would indicate that he is wanted elsewhere
Major Sylvester has telegraphed 10 all
principal Eastern cities requesting infor-
nation concerning the man. and expects
replies before morning.
One clipping found in the possession of
Waunamaker reads Frank f. Wanna
maker, who robbed the Widow Thompson,
who keeps the hotel at the Jersey end Of
OF the Yardley bridge, last summer, was
sentenced yesterday by Judge Woodruff TO
three months in the workhouse and a fine
Of $1O0" The clipping does not bear the
name Of any newspaper. and is not dated.
Another clipping found in the possession
OF Wannamaker says in part. "A clever
swindler. who under the name of j. F..
Wannamaker, feeced J. G. Kenner, proprie-
tor of the West End House, and a number
Of sporting men in town last spring, was
brought here from Trenton yesterday by
Constable Totten to stand trial.
'Wannamaker first appeared here last
April when he represented himself as a
relative of John Wanamaker the Phila-
delphia merchant He had a patent horse
shoe. and was looking for a site to build
a factory to manufacture the article. He
nut up at the West End House, and with
his smooth manners completely won the
confidence OF Proprietor Kenner. He paid
his first weeks board with a draft for 500
on an alleged wholesale grocery firm OF
Cincinnati A balance Of $45 over the board
bill was paid on the draft which proved
worthless.
'Wannamaker was nabbed in Toronto
while in the act of committing a similar
offence a few weeks later, and was SEN
fenced to short term of imprisonment
Prosecutor Dugan served capias on the
sheriff of Mercer county for Wannamaker 5
detention at the expiration of his sentence
to answer to Mr.. Kenner's charge against
him"
other clippings found in the possession
of Wanuamaker relate various illegal
transaction said to have been consummated
by Wannamaker.
Last night Inspector Boardman received
a telegram from A. G. Anson. Chief OF
Police at SomersvilIe y. j., which read az
follows: "Wannamaker's reputation bad
Look out for him"
The prisoner will be photographed this
morning before his arraignment In court