The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-17
Chicago Man IsSentenced Four
 Hours After Arrest
WAS FORMER WEALTHY MAN
Real Estate Dealer Confesses to Ob- taining Nearly Million Dollars By Forgery, and Seeks and ob-
 tains Quick Punishment.

Chicago. November 16.-Peter Van Wis sin9en. a real estate dealer, for several years classed among the first of Chicago's s prosperous and responsible business men, today confessed to having obtained through forged deeds and notes more than s7O0,OO0, and few hours after his arrest, on his own urgent appeal to be punished was given an indeterminate sentence of one to fourteen years in the nenitentiary. The arrest, indictment, con fession and science were the work Of less than four hours. Taken in the midst of business from his office desk shortly after the noon hour, Van Vlissingen, venerable-looking man, appeared before the court, and, in tears, confessed that Tor from IS to 20 years he has been securing money through the sale of forged docu- ments and that though he has bought back many of these spurious instruments without detection, at least 25 people would lose an aggregatae of more than SOoUo through the paper which he has not yet redeemed. In forging notes, he declared, he had perfected a unique device. This consisted of a plate glass desk top so arranged that by an electric light thrown up beneath he could readily trace from originals forged signatures onto worth less paper. Throughout his arrest and sentence the prisoner made no effort to defend himself, but only asked that his punishment be speedy. Asked if he had anything to say before sentence was im- posed Van Vlissingen, lowing his head. replied:
 ..Only that I be given my punishment at once.'
 His term in the penitentiary was fixed as indeterminate from one to fourteen years.
 Van Vlissingen, who Is about 40 years old, was married February 4, 1907, to Mrs. Jessie Roosevelt Blend, who was described at the time as a distant relative of President Roosevelt. The bride was daughter of Wilton c. Blend. Van Wis singen had been bachelor living at the Calumet club. He was known as having a philanthropic disposition.
 The specific charge which led up to the spectacular arrest of Van Vlissngen to- day was made by two men who had bought forged mortgage notes. They are IL. have offices in the same building as that occupied by Van vlissingen. To the notes for Si5O0 held by them were signed the names of Joseph and Bertha Grosman. As was customary, Van Vlssingen copied the forged papers from the originals, which he disposed of to other buyers. Lefens and Seipp said they first became suspicious of the notes last Saturday, but took no action until today.
 Consulting with Assistant States Att torney Barbour, they decided to delay no longer
 The rapidity with which the case was handled after the consultation with MT. Barbour Is shown by the following sched- ule:
 1:30 P M.-Van Vlissengen confronted in his office by detective.
 3P. M-Arrives at states attorneys of- flee and confesses.
 s:15 P. M.-Grand jury returns indict- ment.
 4:15 P. M.--Prisoner's hearing begun be- fore Judge Windes.
 5P M Sentence pronounced
 5:O5 P. M.-Van vlissingen locked up in county jail preparatory to be taken to Joliet, probably tomorrow.
 All of Van Vlissingen's accounts were turned over to the Chicago Title and Trust company pending an investigation of the exact extent of the defalcations.
 Francis Lackner, counsel for the com plainants, said tonight it would be fmpos sible for several days to make complete list of those who will be among the losers.