The Washington times., 1901-10-15
loses Wife And LIBERTY
Komcr Arrested on an Old Charge
While on His Honeymoon.

Alleged Offence Committed Here Two
Years Ago-Touring Country on
Proceeds of Brides Jewelry-
Couple Part before His Capture
A charge of grand larceny, brought 10y
Max A. Schindel clerk in a Jeweiry
store. whose home is at 7C6 Tenth street
northwest. is lodged against Victor hoHl-
er Carl Hamilton Myer, known to the po-
lice simply as Victor Komer a native oi
Vienna, Austria, and a musician by oc-
cupatfon now held prisoner at the sixth
precinct station. tn" wife of komcF'
married to him but a short month, accom-
panied him to this city Thursday. she
tells of troubles since her marriage to the
prisoner resulting in the loss of money and
iewelry The unhappy bride is temporari-
" lodged at the house Of Grace Fergu-
son. 1897 Street northwest She brings
no charge against her husband, yet she
declares it better that they should part,
because of his arrest and attending cir
cumstances.
Komer is not unknown to the local po-
lice. He was here two or three years ago,
when the robbery now charged against
him is alleged to have been committed.
Previously, even to the date of the THEFT
March s. 1899, the prisoner had spent some
time in this city, for months finding occu-
patton as a piano player in the houses of
Dolly Taylor and Beulah Lyles, and else
where. Following the robbery reported
by Schindel, of clothing valued at $50 from
his home, which enquiry, according to the
police, seems to have fastened upon ko-
mer, the latter left the city, even before
investigation of the case had been com
ploted.
The next heard of the alleged fugitive,
for whom the police made search, but
without success, was from Baltimore,
some time later. when word came that
Komer, or Hamilton, or Myer, by which
names he is known. had passed a worth
less check at a music store in the Monu-
mental City. Interest in the piano play
er was renewed, and the police here ana
elsewhere kept a sharp lookout for him.
To all this was added report received a
year or more ago that Eoinyr IS wanted
in Canada on serious charge.
Meanwhile the fugitive had been in the
West, and at Louisville, Ky, about two
months ago. he met a yonug woman at
tractive in personal appearance, with
whom he contracted matrimony. 1t is
even said that he met the woman one day
and was welded to her the day follow
ing, when a tour of the country for the
couple was determined upon. The wife.
who now claims the name of Mrs. Komer,
but who states she was married under
the name of Hamilton, given by her hus-
band at the ceremony, seems to have fur
nished funds for travelling from city to
city.
Her own story, as told a reporter last
night, is that she ma -ried Komer on Sep
tember S last, a justice of the peace of
ficiating. Then came the problem of
finances, and she soon l.arned. she says,
that her husband had not the where
withal with which TO meet travelling and
contingent expenses. Mrs. Komer, how
ever, had jewels and diamonds. and these,
she says, her husband took and placed In
pawn or sold, asserting his alleged rights
Her understanding of such prevented any
serious protest on her part at this man
ner of raising funds. The money so pro-
vided, amounting to considerable sum,
seems to have suffced for the expenses
of the couple for some weeks, while they
5aurneyed about the corntr". Chicago,
st LOUIS. CIeve1anS Eca'l -nbus New
York, and the Buffalo exposition, all were
visited in turn, and finally komer brought
his wife to Washington.
Arriving on Thursday, the couple regis
tered at a well-known hoted, where their
baggage went from the depot, and where
excellent apartments were assigned TO
them. While in New York, just before
coming here, komer appears to have dis
posed of a diamond ring, on which he
is said to have raised $50. Thus pro-
vided for against immediate need. and
once again back in the Capital City, the
couple settled down in a way to enjoy LIE
until Detectives Horne, Helan, McNamee,
and Flather learned of their arrival.
Horne had been searching for Komer
for over two years, and knew his face
well. With other detectives he went in
search of the fugitive, but komer was
not at his hotel. This was Saturday,
and 1t seems that the same night. be-
cause of some differences. komer and his
wife separated. The woman left the no,
tel, with her trunk and baggage, and
Komer shortly followed her example,
going to another hotel, where he regis
tered under the name of Hamilton.
Yesterday, while walking along Penn
sylvania Avenue. near Seventh Street
northwest, Detectives Horne and Flath-
er met Kcmer face to face, and the lat
ter was arrested He was taken to head
quarters, and later sent to the Sixth pre-
cinct station. TO await preliminary
hearing this morning in the Police Court.
Only one charge, that brought by Schin-
del. stands sgainst him.
Both Mr. kOmer and his wife were seen
last night, the former at the station in a
cell. Komer said he married the woman,
and not having sufficient money to meet
certain expenses, he acknowledges having
longing to her This, he states. he had
perfect right to do, and IT is not denied
by the woman. She declares that komer,
in respect TO her jewels, pawncd certain
Of them, and not entirely, perhaps, with
out her consent. Certainly" she says,
he had a right to do So" Mrs. Komer
states that she will have nothing further
10 do with her husband, in view of his ar
rest and circumstances in the case. She
states, however. positively. that she will
bring no charge against him. nor does
she expect to appear as witness against
him.
Funds amounting to $1,7O0, belonging to
the woman, are now deposited in a West
ern bank The police say Komer at
tempted to gain possession of this money
just prior to his arrest. by means Of a
order Mrs Komer states
due time by express from he. bank. 1t
is . theory Of the police that Komer, on
arriving in this city. telrgraphed the bank
where the money is deposited. directing
that her funds be transmitted here by
telegraph. This the bank refused 10 do.
il is said, because Of the big sum involved,
but now ii is understood. the money mas
been forwarded in regular express chan
nels to Mrs. Komer. She. last Light
stated that she was expecting a pack
age, supposedly containing such funds.
The theft of the clothing from Schindel
charged against Komer, took place from
the home Of the former, ana suspicion fell
upon komcr because OF certain cirCum-
attending the robbery. The pris-
oner strenuously denies knowledge Of the