The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-11-17
ARRESTED
MAKES CONFESSION
Continued from First Paee.)

CONTINUED from First Paee.)
not yet redeemed. In forging notes,
he declares he had perfected a unique
device. This consisted Of a plate
glass desk top, so arranged that by
an electric light thrown up from be-
meath he could readily trace from orig
inals forged signatures onto worthless
paper.
Throughout his arrest and sentence
the prisoner made no effort to defend
himself, but only requested that his
punishment be speedy.
Asked If he had anything to say be-
fore sentence was imposed. Van Vliss-
ingen bowed his head and replied:
Asked for speedy punishment.
"Only that be given my punish
ment at once"
His term in the penitentiary was
fixed at from one to fourteen years.
Van Vlissingen who is about As years
old vas married August IA, 1907, to
Miss Jessie Roosevelt-Blend, who was
described at the time as a distant rel
alive of President Roosevelt. The
brideewas a daughter w. c. Roosevelt.
She had been divorced from q dent.
list named Blend. Van Vlissingen, had
been a bachelor, living at the Calumet
club. He was known as being Of "a
philanthropic disposition, giving spe-
cial attention to the welfare of boys.
Some years ago he took under his
protection julius Wiltrax, 10 years
old, whose father had been accused
of murder. The boy at first had been
a witness against his father, who was
sentenced to Is years in the %peniten-
tiary for the alleged murder Of Paul
Paskowski, - years old. Later the
Wiltrax boy repudiated his first tes-
timony and the father was released.
This led Van Vlissingen to take inter
est in the lad and publicly announced
that he would try to make of him a
respectable citizen.
The Detection.
The specific charge which led up to
the spectacular arrest of Van vlissin-
gen today was made by two men who
had bought forged mortgage notes.
They are T. ]. Lockner and William
o. Seipp who have offices in the same
building as that occupied by Van Wis
singer. Two Of the notes for $500
held by them were signed the names
Of Joseph and Bertha Grossman. AS
is customary, Van Vlissingen copied
the forged papers from originals
which he disposed Of to other buyers.
Lockner and Seipp said they first be-
came suspicious of the notes last Sat
urday, but took no action until today.
Consulting with Assistant States
Attorney Barbour they decided to de-
lay no longer. z5
The rapidity with which the case
was handled, after the consultation
with Mr.. Barbour is shown by this:
Rapid Work.
1880 p. m.-Van Vlissingen con
fronted in his office by a detective
and asked to go to the office in the
criminal court building.
300 p. m.-Arrives at states attor.
ney's Office, and, after being told OF
charges, confesses.
3:15 p. m.-Grand jury which had
been presented with the evidence, re-
turns indictment.
AIS p. m.-Prisoner brought before
Judge Windes and hearing begun.
500 D. m.-Sentence pronounced.
5:15 p. m.-Van Vlissingen locked
up in county jail. preparatory to being
taken to Joliet tomorrow.
All Of Van Vlissingen's accounts
were turned over to the Chicago Title
and Trust company pending an in:
vestigation. Francis Lackner coun.
sci for the compliments said it would
be impossible for several days to
make a complete list Of the losses.
The notes on which Van Vlissingen
was indicted were not due until 1911
and it was believed that as in many
instances he intended to pay them up
before they could lead to disclosure,
H55 Jranfrnn$Aa hv nA$NefiuA az III
When confronted in his Office by
the detective Van Vlissingen made nc
effort to conceal the truth.
why am / wanted at the states
attorneys Officer" he asked.
because OF some charges of for
gerry" replied the detective.
VERY WE'LL" replied the real estate
dealer. ST am afraid the charges are