Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-25
HE LED TWO LIVES.

Arthur Bell, of Vernon.
HE LED TWO LIVES.
Death of Frank Adrich Reveals a
Strange Story.
The recent suicide of Frank Aldrich, |
the king of the gold brick men, in New
York, brings back vivid recollections OF
the game worked on Farmer Daugher- !
ty of Abba in this city about two years
ago. The aged Abba farmer was re-
lieved of $500 in good coin of the
realm, in exchange for a large brick
which was on exhibition in the Courier
office for some time. Aldrich was APP
parently a wealthy resident of Wash
ing Heights, New York, when he shot
himself in the head, putting an end to
his life and also what was practically
the lives of two men.
In New York Frank Aldrich lived
with a devoted wife and daughter in a
handsome residence at 523 West One
Hundred and Eighth street, six doors
from the home of District Attorney
Jerome. He had the respect of his
neighbors and was supposed to be a
successful mining operator whose in
terests required frequent trips to the
West
Is Well Known.
According to the police Frank Al
drich is known in dozen other cit
les of the United States, where his
operations have be recorded a sa deal
er in gold bricks. He is said to have
H. 4 hot n
was often called the king" OF the
craft.
Frank Aldrich. mining operator and
law-abiding citizen OF New York, and
Frank Aldrich, reputed swindler in
other cities, were one and the same
person. Not only were friends and
neighbors thereignorant of his real oc'
cupation, but his wife and daughter
had implicit faith in his integrity.
This was illustrated on one occasion
when Aldrich was convicted of swind-
ling farmer of Allegheny, Pa, out OF
$4,000 by the gold brick game. Mrs.
lAldrich, believing implicitly in her
! husbands innocence, succeeded in in
! teresting many noted men in the case
with the result that the state board
of pardons eventually freed Aldrich al
ter he had served nearly two years in
Jail.
Born in Ohio.
Aldrch was born in Ohio. In hi!
younger days he was Snowman, ant
travelled all over the country. HI
drifted west from Ohio to Kansas t
live. He was man of good appear
ance, and a fluent talker. He mad
friends readily, and accumulated SOM
means. His first wife died leaving
him with one child, daughter. H
married again. and purchased HON
at Stanford, Kan. In, Stanford, as i
4 New York, he bore a good reputation
He was known, however, to the polio
of Chicago, Pittsburg and other cities
Like other expert operators in his lin
of work, he seldom was arrested, an
: then usually escaped conviction.
An Elegant Home.
After his pardon from the Pennsy
vania prison Aldrich and his wife wer
to New York. Their home was pu
, chased several years ago, and is ow,
. ed by Aldrich. 1t is richly furnished
, but in good taste.
; Mrs. Aldrich said that it was tru
that her husband had served nearl
; TWO years in prison for the Alleghen
) swindle, but that he was innocent {
the crime.
: Mistaken Identity.
4 at was clearly a case of mistake
: identity, and | satisfied the pardc
! board that my husband was not in a
: legheny at the time said Mrs. Al
), 1rich.
MIR. Aldrich was Interested in mi
. ing operations in the west" she co
, tinued. HE bought and sold mines,
:, believe He did not tell me mut
about his business, but so far as
know, he had no trouble with the a
thorities except the time he was pa
doned. He frequently went west {
$ trips connected with his business. I
n owned mines in Colorado, | believe.
u never went with him on business tri
e but l have made pleasure trips wi
l. him as far west as California
v "My husband had stomach trouh
for some time He suffered much pa
IS and became discouraged when /
e physicians told him there was a tu
s or He would not consent to an OPT
IS alton and killed himself to escape t
= pain"
% His Career.
According to dispatch from Url
lg ma, O., Frank Aldrich was indicted
g. the last grand jury there on char
of having swindled Harvey Kenton
d 1887 Aldrich is said to have assn
yt ed the name of J. B. Saul and to ha
made the acquaintance of Kenton a
IN offered him a gold brick. which
ar said was made from gold found
Kenton's land. Kenton drew ST.
Sc from the bank and borrowed $1,(
IS. more.
II. Aldrich told Kenton he had seve
It. other gold bricks in Bellefontaine.
an and while the two were driving, IL
~ were met by two men with M
bricks to sell. One of the men was
of Indian. Kenton grew suspicious q
IT. wanted to return home. He was h
up at the point of revolver and
in lieved of his money.
Tho ctafod that prpao