The Washington times., 1903-09-20
: SOME NOTED WOMEN CROOKS ::

w WASHINGTON has been mostly
wv free from the genus of Grim
inal known as the female
crook Adventuresses have worked here
TO small extent, but their efforts have
been directed chiefly to the badger
game, and 10 robberies In the hotels
A few years ago one OF the latter kind
OF thieves came here from the West
and made some pretty good hauls from
two o. the hotels. She was wanted in
Western city. and was arrested here on
the charge OF theft. and handed over TO
the Western authorities on charges of
more Importance.
About ten years ago the badger game
used to be worked here. but several Of
the women and their male accomplices
were arrested and heavily fined. and they
have given Washington a wide berth
since that time.
The most noted female crook who ever
operated here was a woman of several
aliases. but who went by the name Of
Mary Hansen. Her game was 10 rep
resent that she had large sum of
money coming to her. but that she need
ed a few hundred dollars 20 satisfy some
legal demand. She told plausible
story. backed up by documentary evil
dence. and usually succeeded In making
a loan from gullible persons whom she
could interest in her behalf
First Bled a New Yorker.
Mary Hansen was first introduced >
the police through one OF her opera
tions in New York. Through her hus-
band, who was known there as Klink.
she became intimate with the family ct
Frederick Bonnet. One day Klink ap-
pesred in Bohnet's officce and told him
that his wife had n claim against the
United States Government, which had
just been sdjudicated In her favor.
amounting 10 $500. 900. Klink showed
newspaper clippings TO prove that the
case had been before the Court Of
Claims. and a decision had been rend-
cred. Klink represented that there were
costs TO pay TO the amount Of s2.316. The
matter was talked over, and Bonnet
promised that he would think the thing
over. and that Klink and his wife SHOULD
call upon him the next day
The Kinks appeared. and Mrs. Klink
showed telegram from an attorney in
Washington saying that the costs must
BE- paid within forty-eight hours. or the
amount OF the claim would be forfeited.
Bonnet, on a promise that the money
would be returned within fifteen days,
paid over the amount, and the couple
departed, apparently very grateful to
him.
The specified time passed. and the
money was not forthcoming. Moreover.
the calls OF the Kinks upon his family
had ceased. and the couple had disap-
peared. Bonnet placed the matter in the
bands OF the police, and after great diff
ficulty the Kinks we're located In New
Jersey. They were arrested and held on
$4,000 bail to await the action OF the
grand jury Five days later an attorney
secured the release OF the cuiprits on a
writ Of habeas corpus on the plea that
the money was loaned. and that no evil
dence had been produced that there was
an intention TO defraud.
The Kinks operated successfully for
FIVE years. and secured various amounts
from people in New York. Philadelphia,
Baltimore. and Washington. They were
arrested over and over again, but always
secured their liberty on some technf-
. cality similar to that described Their
bauls amounted in the aggregate 10 S25.
No In cases which came to record. and
likely that much more was obtained |
hem In cases where the victims did
make their losses public