The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-20
ARCH BUNKOER
ARLINGTON, ONCE
DENTIST BROWN
Convicted by a Jury
in Ten Minutes.
HE MAY GET LIFE SENTENCE
REPORT OF ATTEMPT TO BR1BF
ACoUSERS HUSBAND.
Dramatic End Of Sensational Trial of
the Aged Lothario Who Deceived
and Robbed Scores of
Women
HE MAY GET LIFE SENTENCE
REPORT OF ATTEMPT TO BRIDE
ACCUSERS HUSBAND.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call

90S Broadway, Aug. 49,
Arthur Arlington, the gay deceiver OF
scores Of unsuspecting women, was once
more convicted of grand larceny to-day
by jury in Judge Halls court. 1t took
but ten minutes for the jury to decide
that the story related by Mrs NJ. NJ
Smith, the prosecuting witness, charging
the aged Lothario with stealing her purse
containing S214, at Blair Park on the after
noon of April IA last, was gospel truth, and
Arlington's narrative of how he had spent
the night of the same day at the Rich
mond House in San Francisco with his
fair accuser was a base fabrication.
The case went TO the jury late in the
afternoon. But one ballot was taken, and
the announcement of the verdict did not
appear to qisconcert the aged Lothario
one whit. Sentence Will be pronounced
some day next week, and in view of the
two priors he can not get less than ten
years, and the court may impose life SEN
tenCe.
The case has been one Of the most SEN
sational of its kind ever tried in this coun-
". and the most extreme care was taken
TO avoid errors that might prove fatal on
an appeal.
Deputy District Attorney George Sam
uels conducted the case for the prosecu-
ton, and while he was assisted by +. W.
Fry as special counsel for Mrs. Smith, to
Samuels is credit particularly due for the
have dared to face in court to stand upon
their honor. In his eloquent argument be-
fore the jury this afternoon Prosecutor
SamuelS lauded Mrs. Smith S courage Tor
daring TO risk the notOriety her accusa-
ton would necessarily bring with it, and
referring TO the man who not only ROBBED,
but also by word of mouth attempted to
destroy her character, Attorney Samuels
cited a description from Faust: He
had a face like a benediction, and so well
did he clothe his wicked Villainy with his
Ia mo nix "a hprs 4
he seemed a saint while playing with the
devil" Major McElrath had compared
Arlington with Victor Hugo's great char
aCter, Jean Vatican, but MIR. SamuelS rent
the comparison asunder until only shat
tered and ridiculous remembrances re-
manned. In his closing remarks the young
prosecutor dramatically turned. facing the
aged prisoner, and quoting from Hamlet
said: "Tremble, thou wretch; thou hast in
thee undivulged crimes unwhipped OF JUS
tiCe.'
The courtroom was crowded. and a muir
muir of appreciation was the only element
that broke the silence that followed Sam
uels' terrible arrangement OF the man VINO
has broken so many women hearts ana
incidentally broken into their purses.
Even though the case has been disposed
of now new sensations spring up in its
wake. and one of these is a startling
statement made by Mrs. Smith, Airing
toms acCuser from which it would appear
that Arlington attempted also 10 MAKE a
victim of Norman Smith, whom Mrs:
Smith is now suing for divorce. 1t will
be remembered that Mr.. Smith arrived
here from Wisconsin suddenly one DAY
and announced that he would bitterly fight
the divorce suit. A few days ago Smith
suddenly departed again for his home, and
to-day Mrs. Smith declared that she had
absolute proof that Arlington, either on
his own behalf or through an. agent, Of
fered my husband $500 TO come out here,
secure a reconciliation and take me of to
the East at once, so as to prevent me tes-
tifying against Arlington at this trial.
In view of the many aliases by which
Arlington has become known to the police
authorities there has been much specula-
ton as to his true identity. Through a
DISTINGUISHED attorney of San Francisco
a spectator at the trial to-day, but who
modestly preferred that his name be with
held from print, it is learned that the true
name of Arlington is Arthur Brown, and
that he has brother who is a prominent
and well-to-do merchant in Washington
State. His occupation before he Piled as
the arch bunkoer of women was that Of
a dentist He is now over 60 years of age,
and even ten years in San Quentin will
practically mean life Imprisonment.