Bisbee daily review., 1909-07-29
POLICE ARREST NOTED
 SW|NDLER

SANTA FEE, N. Nj, July 2S.-In the arrest at Espanola, N. M.. of Max Gretheis alias Max Gardner. by Page Otero of the mounted police on the charge of attempting to swindle the Baldwin Piano company of Denver, the authorities believe the first step has been taken to bring to long delayed justice one of the most remarkable criminals that ever operated in the United States. Gardner was brought to Santa Fe and committed to jail to await the arrival of the Denver manager of the piano company, who wired to hold Gardner and who at once left for this city. It Is claimed that ten days ago Gardner received a shipment of sixteen pianos from the Baldwin company, and that he has sold half the stock and made no ac- counting to the company. Gardner recently opened a music store here and Is known to have disposed of a number of instruments. When arrest. ed at Espanola he claimed that he was there on piano business, but t is believed he was preparing to make getaway when apprehended
 After considerable hard work the lneInDtTS OL lHt lHuuhitu poliNf anu other authorities have secured a toi- erably complete record of the criminal operations of Gardner or Gertheis. not only all over the United States, but in his home in Germany, whence he was banished by his wealthy and prominent family. when he had brought such dishonor on the ances- tral name that they would not allow l,; s,.o in, ha
 Gardner's work seems to have con sisted mostly of swindling ministers. servant girls and people who have be- friended him, and in abusing small children. All the information at hand tends to indicate that the man is a confirmed degenerate, while al the same time. possessed of considerable intelligence and a cunning way which has enabled him to successfully swindle literally hundreds of victims. As soon as lie boarded the steamer for America from his home in Frei- burg, Germany. it is said he got busy and by the time he reached the shores of th,s country had already buncoed half a dozen victims out of consider able sums.
 After landing he at once began liv- ing by his wits, 90 the evidence at hand indicates, and since that time he has left a most unenviable trail | through the large cities from the At. lantic to the Pacific. After leaving San Bernardino. Cal, where he served term of six months in the county jail he came to Albuquerque, leaving that city under a cloud, and after attempts had been made to deport him under the immigration laws on the ground that he was an undesirable allen. | In Albuquerque he was befriended
 by the pastor of the Lutheran church
 the Rev J. W. Paetznick. who drop
 ped Gardner, however, as soon as his true character developed. He also at
 tempted. it is alleged. some crooked l work with the Learnard & Lindemanr
 musical firm, so that it was neces
 sarv for Mir. Learnard to publish {
 notice ;n the newspapers warning thu
 public. Since that time Gardner ha,
 yritten threatening letters to John P
 Wagner promising to make all sort, fof d're exposures if that gentleman
 did not stop knocking him." as he ex Ipressed it.
 | It Is alleged that Gardner owes va rious sums of money in Santa Fe. in cIuding an unreceipted bill of SIPS which he owes o. W. Alexander, tn local automobile man. for the use 0 machine: SeliEman brothers an various other firms.
 The most serious charges agnins Gardner are allegations of crimins 'nistreatment of young boys and girl