The Washington herald., 1908-07-21

thousands OF dollars. but they were never
able 70 get down % the bottom OF her
pecuIatious. and as her lips remained
sealed. It never became known what be-
came Of the enormous sum she IS said 20
have accumulated With the name oE the
woman there was connected that OF some
man. whose identity the police authori-
ties never could ind out. and VINO. it was
charged. was behind her IN the peculiar
operations by which she attempted % de-
fraud the public On this score Mss
Casparf was silent
Miss Caspa-i was well known socially.
and with her unusually large accuai1t-
a1ce with people OF Influence In The com
munity. she found IL less difficult 10 carry
her alleged plans 70 defraud into e.
feet Her position as teacher 81 the
Western Female High School was Of the
greatest significance. In fact. had size
not occupied this position from the out
set. II is doubtful Il she would have ever
met with any success az al But n that
position OF trust and confidence. the police
claimed l. was an easy matter for her 10
beguIIe into her Eefarious schemes rhs
women and young girls with whom she
was daily associated
The Greer woman was only one Of rE5
numerous victims duped by Miss Cas-
paris shrevvdness- She represented her
self as a stock agent IN two corporations
which were publishing books and other
periodicals OF vital interest 70 students
and scholars
To her victims she told they would
earn good profits on the amount of money
invested. She deemed It absolutely safe,
so the story went, for she had invested
her own earnings and had been success
ful.
Just how much money passed through
the hands Of this woman will perhaps
never be known
Some declare II was $4,000 The pubIss
school teachers whom Miss CaSDaTi knew
drew their savings from banks Money
which rad been on deposit for years went
10 swell the Caspari purse. while parents
Of the unfortunate scholars whom Miss
Caspart informed of her scheme gladly
availed themselves Of the opportunity. lit
tie dreaming that the teacher would Do
anything wrong
Church People Caught.
But the stock agent I'D not stop with
the school teachers and scholars. Sc
reached out FOR the church people. a-d
many Of them were caught IN her
clutches. She was a member OF the Uni
tartan Church. In North Charles street,
had served as secretary to Rev. Or. Weld.
the pastor Of the church. and was asso-
cisted with a number OF church societies
She made friends among the church pe0-
pie. and these friends were induced ID
buy stock Consequently business doomed.
Finally. the climax came when Miss
Caspari admitted the Investment had failed
10 pay But 10 the frenzied appeals OF
the investors. the woman turned a dear
ear and all the information the investors
got was that the money would be paid
back.
This promise snenced talk for a while.
But the day arrived when the PAYMENTS
were to have been made and Miss Cas-
pari failed TO produce the money. The
victims then decided 10 prosecute. 4
warrant was issued by Miss Greer. who
knew Miss Caspari. and the teacher was
arrested.
Then trouble ensued for Miss Cssparf
The school board Immediately dismissed
her from further service. The --stocl-
agent who was mystery to Baltimore
vas then put behind the bars. where she
remained until she appeared in the
criminal court Of Baltimore CITY. TIE
trial was memorable one IN that moth
ing could be drawn out OF the witness
She was silent as the grave TO questions
and rather than break this silence 7Tfss
Caspari pleaded guilty
In the trial the question Of her SANITY
was raised. but after hearing. considerable
testimony. she was declared to be respo1-
sible for her acts, and Judge Harlan. be-
fore whom the case was tried. sentenced
her TO five years in the Maryland peni-
tentiary.
Miss Caspari was released from the
penitentiary on April q 1907. after ss----
ing q term Of four years and two r,on+hs
She was well known throughout Ves%
Baltimore. and IS a sister OF DR.. Charles
Caspari. one Of the best-knowa spotba-
carries Of the city