Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-06-21

A. NJ. Hendricks, who undertook to
swindle Rev. Weiss, of this city, Tues
day, and who succeeded in borrowing
50 on $500 check, as collateral secur-
custody at Michigan City, as announced
in Wednesdays Independent lie is
thought to be an individual who has
swindled many of the Catholic priests
in Indiana and Ohio. The fellow was
captured by the Rev. Father John
Bleckmann, of Michigan City, who,
since aD experience of twenty five years
ago, has had no great attachment for
men of fraudulent ilk.
a few days ago Father Beckmann
received a letter signed by Hendricks,
in which the latter said that Mrs.
Lsfontsine had died at Cincinnati,
leaving st. Mary's church, of Michigan
City, bequest of $1,000 and the
writer said he would come in person in
few days to deliver the legacy. He
said also that he had conferred with
Bishop Chatard, of Indianapolis, con-
corning the legacy and that Fsther
Bleckmann could reach him by writing
him a letter addressing it in care of
the Grand Hotel at Indianapolis.
Father Bleckmann learned from Bishop
Chstard that a man had swinded
priests at Columbus, O., and other
places by e similar game and the
bishop advised Father Bleckmann to
carry on negotiations with Hendricks,
who at Columbus used the name Reilly,
in order to catch him. Father Bleck-
mann wrote nice letter to Hendricks
as directed and Hendricks started for
Michigan City. He stopped off at
Plymouth long enough, however, to Sc
cure loan of So from Father Yenn on
bogus check of 800, which he gave
as security.
Rev. Bleckmsnn joined his strange
visitor in his study and took the cheek
offered to him, which called for $1,000
and was given on the Third \ Nstional
bank of Cincinnati by "a &. Water
man" in favor of Hon. ii. NJ Hen
bricks. The stranger asked for So.23,
which amount he said was the court
fee In the case The reverend gentle
man gave Hendricks the amount asked
and accepted receipt, after which he
engaged his visitor in conversation
until an officer arrived, when Rev.
| Bleckmann told his visitor he could
consider himself under arrest for swim
ding.
Father \ enn went up from Plymouth
Wednesday afternoon and identified
Hendricks. as the man who did him for
So and afterwards spent the money in
the Plymouth saloons for liquor.
Hendricks plead guilty to the charge
and was held to the circuit court under
$500 bonds.
1t is probable that having plead
guilty the case will be taken up at once
seem good for the old man going to
prison for q term of from two TO seven
years.
Hendricks appears to be physical
wreck. He said he was troubled with
bronchitis and was nearly 20 years old
He wanted to have been done with the
case at once and asked if he could not
be sent to prison at once. When ar
rested he bad but five cents on his
person although he secured 1925 from
Father Bleckmsnn and 50 Monday
from Father Yenn of Plymouth.
Hendricks told pitlful story of his
career in the swindling business. He
said that until a month ago he was
employed "a messenger In the sgrl
cultural department at Washington
and lost his position through drink
Having read in the papers of various
swindIiDg games he resolved TO try his
luck, and in three weeks had succeeded
in fleeing half dozen members of
the Catholic clergy. but that the remu
nerstion was not more than enough for
his railroad fare and to keep himself
supplied with liquor. He said that
while under the influence of liquor be
would enter a bank and after writing a
check would put several bank checks
in bis pocket The checks he had on
his person showed that he had been in
several large cities. lie said that he
was trying to get to Colorado because
of being troubled with bronchitis and
had hoped to get position teaching
school In Colorado The old man was
fairly well dressed. His hair and beard
are almost white and his face bears the
work of many years of dissipation.
Father Bleckmann, who was present,
said that % years ago while at Delphi,
q stranger heeced him out of sum of
money much the same as did Hendricks,
telling about the same story and
thought perhaps the man now in
custody was the same one grown older,
but Hendricks stOutly denied having
been in the business that long ago.
The officers believe that Hendricks has
operated more extensively than he
nd mite nd that ho 10 nou trv,pn 20