Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19
ACT OF GAY DECEIVER
MRS. oWINGS SAYS HER AD-
MIRER ROBBED HER.

SPECIAL Dispatch 10 The Star.
BALTIMORE. Nd, August 1s-william
A. Tatum. thirty-eisht years old. who says
he Is brickmaker by trade. Is held at the
central police station. charged with embez-
cling 81 900. the property of Lottie q. ow-
ings. 12f1 9th street, Washington. August
H. After following Tatum from Washing
ton. MRS owings cieveriy planned q trap.
into which he fell last night, resulting In
his arrest late this afternoon.
According to the statement made by Mrs.
owings to the officers. she had lived. up to
about two months ago. at 745 North Pat
terson Park avenue. this city, and owned
the house. Mrs Tafum. she says. became
solicitous about her husband going to ''the
shore and other resorts alene. and kept
visiting her house and insisting that she go
with Mr.. Tatum. as she CSdrs. Tatum) did
not enjoy life on such occasions.
Mrs. Owings says she finally began to
keep company with the man, fell In love
with him, and lately they left together for
Washington and made their home at f211
9Th street southwest. Tatum. she declares.
insisted that she sell her house at 745 Pat
price received being $1.000. All Of this
amount. she insists, Tatum got from her
while they were out driving. Later he re
turned to this city and went to live with
Having received word from him that he
did not expect. to return to Washington
Mrs. Owings decided to have him arrested
and came to Baltimore for that purpose
street, as she expected. she entered cafe
near Liberty and German streets and sent
a friend out to hunt him up and bring him
to her. Tatum amazed to find himself con-
fronted by the Washington visitor, made
a break from the place and was not located
by the officers until found at the Milton
avenue address this afternoon.
Tatum admits. it is said. having obtained
the money of Mrs. Owings. and insists that
he lost 1t all in a game of craps in Nor
folk. va. He also says he sent Mrs. Owings
SIPS Of 1t and gave his son $780, Despite
the complications that have crept into the
situa ton, Mrs. Tatum was loyal to her hus-
band when the arrest was made and de-
clared she would stand by him to the end.
On the other hand, Mrs. Owings told the
officers that she, too, is devotedly attached
to the prisoner, but insists she only wants
to recover her money.
Capt. Boardman Of Washington police
headquarters received message from Bal
tirnore last evening saying that Tatum
had been arrested, and he assigned Detec-
tive Grant to go to Baltimore this morn
ing to bring back the prisoner.
Tatum formerly lived In Norfolk. and he
came from that place to Washington and
secured work as bricklayer on the new
q. ne DOdfOeQ at tHe
house of Mrs. Owings at 1211 9Th street
southwest One evening when she was out
with Tatum she told him she had some
money. 1t is stated, and that she expected
to put 1t in the bank as soon as the oppor-
tunity was afforded. He told her she might
lose it, and finally persuaded her. 1t is said.
to entrust the cash - him. That was last
Wednesday.
1t is alleged thae-Tatum remained but a
short time here after obtaining the money.
ovnd M h}ncr h0n ~d htvvr hxyT ta
police until he was arrested in the Monu-
mental City last night Mrs. Owings con-
suited with the police, and as a result she
procured warrant for Tatum's arrest and
it was put in the hands of Detectives Grant
and Trumbo. From the description sent
out by them Tatum was arrested by the
Baltimore police authorities.
Mrs. Owings told the police that she had
had the greatest confidence in Tatum and
thought she could trust him with the
money. She went to Baltimore YESTERDAY
and had not returned up to a late hour
last night