The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-26
M'KBNNA DENIES GUILT
Declares That He Simply Borrowed
Money From DR.. Genihe.
In Need of Funds when the Loan
Was Made-The Scene Attending
His Arrest-Stntenents That He Is
British Spy Indignantly De-
noupced-ETorts fUr Release Fail.

nOuDccd-En0rts fUc RefeIsc ran.
magistrates warrant charging false
pretences. and issued Wednesday, Oh an af-
fdavit sworn TO by James B. Green. at
torney for DR.. Siegfried Genthe. CORE
spondent of the Cologne Gazette" Ger
man newspaper, was responsible for the
arrest yesterday, by Detective Miller, of j.
Frank McKenna who is accused of fraudu-
lently obtaining from Dr. Genthe the sum
of $50. The arrest was made in the din
ingroom Of the Shoreham Hotel, and oc-
casioned some confusion. McKenna was
not at first disposed to submit to what he
considered humiliation, and, it is alleged.
threatened the life of Detective Miller. if
he persisted in the performance of his
duty. He was finally pacfied and taken TO
No 1 station. where he was lodged, first in
q witness room. and later in cell. 1t is
expected that McKenna will be arraigned
ia the Police Court this morning. An eff
fort was made yesterday to secure the re-
lease Of McKenna on bond. but without
success.
The warrant for the arrest of MckeIina
followed a transaction between DR.. Genthe
and Nckenna. 1t appears that Mchenna
met DIR. Genthe Saturday night. and after
representing himself as a members OF the
Citizens Reception Committee in charge
of the Boer demonstration at the Grand
Opera House Sunday night. gave DR..
Genthe ticket of admission to the stage
with the speakers. McKenna called on DR..
Gentle at his home, Is Iowa Circle Sun
day morning. and stated that he was in
need OF money. DR.. Genthe had IS in his
pocket, and offered s. to McKenna. The
supposed committeeman needed more
money, and DR.. Genthe drew check for
$50. with which McKenna departed. DR..
Genthe saw nor heard nothing more Of Nc
Kenna until he was apprised of an Incl
dent at the Grand Opera House Sunday
night.
DR. Genthe was told that McKenna ap-
peared at the opera house wearing COM
mitteeman's badge. and was requested to
take it of by Capt. Patrick OFarreii.
Chairman of the Reception Committee. He
also learned that the incident had little or
no effect on McKenna, who remained at the
meeting, and made a speech. in which he
declared his intention Of packing his be-
longings and departing for Porto Rico. DR..
Genthe at once took steps to protect the
check which he gave to McKenna- DR..
Geuthe repaired to the Riggs National
Bank early Monday morning to stop pay
ment Oh the check. but arrived too late. He
was just in time to see McKenna emery
ing from the building with the money OBJ
tained on the check. colloquy followed.
during which Mckenna, it is said, prom
Used settlement in a few days. The mat
ter was then allowed to rest temporarily,
but when the promised settlement was not
made the warrant for the arrest of Nc
Kenna followed.
When seen in his cell at No. l station
yesterday McKenna admitted that the cir
curhstsnces as given above were correct,
With two exceptions. He denied that he
bad obtained the $50 from DR.. Genthe by
false REPRESENTATION. and claimed that II
was borrowed money. which would be re-
paid. He also denied that he removed
bis committeeman badge at the Boer DEM
onktfatio6, and claimed that 1t was torn
from his chat by Captain O'Farrell. When
told that Il had been intimated that he
was q British spy and not Boer sympa-
thiser McKenna grew indignant and de-
nounced those who circulated such
statement as liars. II British spy"
said he. NO, sir: I am no 0'Connor. Let
me tell you something. Today / wrote
message which I am going to cable to
Salisbury ~ coon as / get out of this
In that osblegram have said. Withdraw
your murderers from South Africa or you
will hear from twenty millions of Irish |
Americana Does that sound like SPY?
When get through with this business / |
am going back to Porto Rico with Mr.. |
Verges. I am from Porto Rico
McKennA explained that the gentleman |
he feferfed to was E. NJ. verges. a |
w4Rlthy plantation owner of Porto Rico. |
who Is now guest at the Shoreham Ho
tel. MceKnna claims that he is look
ing out Tor the interests Of Mr.. Verges
and has been stopping at the Shoreham
lately simply to oblige the plantation
owner. NcKenna has been living at s2s
A Street northeast. and. in fact, now has
apartments at that address. according to
his statement When asked what his OBJ
5ect Was In borrowing money from DR..
Gehthe. McRenna replied that he was
hard up and needed money at that time. |
IN support OF that statement he exhib-
tied letter from his daughter, which
read: Dear Papa: Please send us some
money, as we are very much in need. The
money You gave US is all gone. The pin
you sent was lovely" The letter was
signed Emma" and was addressed to the
A Street house.
Detective Miller stated yesterday that |
when be arrived at the Shoreham McKen-
ma said that he was about to take break
fast and requested that the arrest be not |
made until after the meal. Detective
amer AcQuiesceu anu Inc TWO went into
the dining room. few moments later
AcKenna arose from a table and moved
toward a doorway. Miller followed and
was abused. McKenna claimed that as he
was known to Miller an escape would not
be attempted. Miller replied that he was {
performing his duty and again started {
after McKenna. VINO had turned as though
TO depart. McKenna turned and facing s
Miller with his hand. 1t is said. moving /
toward hie hip pocket, exclaimed. "1f you ;
follow me l will kill you" The alleged {
threat and menacing gesture caused the I
guests in the dining room TO fall back as
though fearing trouble. Miller. however ,
moved upon McKenna and placed him {
formally under arrest. McKenna was
then walked to Fourteenth Street and
New York Avenue, from where he was
sent to the station in the patrol wagon.