The Washington herald., 1910-11-21

Continued from Page one.
next few days until he owed the mer-
chant several dollars. Paying his bill
would give the merchant confidence. and
then Bennett would begin another ac-
count, which he would increase from time
10 time until he owed a large amount OF
money. These nanipulations, In the light
OF latter events, naturally lead TO the be-
Lief that Bennett expected to leave town
without paying the numerous bills. >
fingered I'm Park.
Bennett formed a habit OF lingering in
Franklin Park. He could have been
seen there nearly any hour in the day.
according TO Power. feeding squirrels.
playing with children under the charge
Of nursemaids, making friends with po-
lieemen, and reading. In conversation
with Power, Bennett revealed that he
knew the name OF nearly every detec-
tive in the Central Office This fact is
only one which shows the cleverness
and skill of the swindler
Bennett apparently feared arrest. for
il was his custom to look from the
front window of his rooms on the second
floor every time a ring was heard at the
RftA%Net-H~AA
form called 10 see Power. AS soon as
the policeman was admitted, Bennett
walked down stairs and stood listening
10 what the policeman said. Apparently
satisfied that the bluecoat was not
searching for him Bennett again went
! upstairs.
Bennett frequently invited Power TO
! accompany him a trip to Indian Head
10 see the progress on the officers quar-
tiers. but the plumber declined the invi-
tations. Bennett then brought shad to
Power and asked the plumber to go on
a fishing trip. leaving Washington on the
government tug plying between the Ma
uonal Capital and Indian Head. Power
told Bennett he did not care for fishing.
On August 20 Bennett paid Power 81
for seven weeks rent. and on October 6
he paid for six weeks rent II was on
October Is that the swindler passed the
bogus checks on Crane. Paris < Co. and
! Gait & Bro, obtaining in return govern
ment bonds worth 5000 and a diamond
ring valued at $3.50 And it was on July
2S that he stole twenty-five money orders
from a branch post-ofiice in North Capt.
! tol street
Large Trunks Removed.
Bennett and his wife and children re-
NAMED al the / street house until Octn-
Der z. On that day an express wagon
appeared and two large trunks and a
big handbag were. removed from their
rooms One OF the trunks had been
sent from Philadelphia to this city few
days. before by Bennett. It contained
toys for the children which Bennett
probably purchased in Philadelphia when
he went there 10 negotiate the govern
ment bonds. In tho week before he
left the rooming house Bennett made two
trips, one 10 New York City and the
other 10 Philadelphia. II is believed that
IL was on these trips that he disposed
Of four bonds and a number OF money
orders.
Stayed in Washington.
Probably the most startling fact re-
yealed by Power last night was that
after Bennett swindled the banking and
jewelry firms he remained in this city
for nearly two weeks. Bennett passed
the worthless checks on October Is and
the following day every detective in
Washington and the poliee-Of Baltimore.
Philadelphia, New York, and other cities
were searching for him. Nevertheless. he
calmly stayed in Washington. except for
the times ne left TO go TO Philadelphia
and New York.
Power scoffed at the story that Bennett
is a morphine fiend. Power said the man
was the picture OF health, OF fine ply
sique and without the least signs OF ner-
vOusness or other symptoms shown by
person addicted to the drug habit. Power
said Bennett had two medicine cases in
his room containing drugs and surgical
instruments, but as the sWindler is known
TO have studied medicine this is not re-
garded as unusual.
If the police found a bottle OF NOR
phine on Bennett in Baltimore. said
Power. he had il for a reason. lie was
not a fiend. for he had scores OF bottles
of drugs in his medicine cases and never
saw him when he appeared 10 be under
the influence of an opiate."
When Bennett and mis- family left the
1 street house on October y II is believed
they went directly 10 BrOOkline, Mass.
a dispatch from Boston says that West
or Bennett rented a house at 76 Perry
street. Brookline. about a month ago and
made his home there with his family To
the neighbOTs he seemed a man OF good
habits spending nearly all of his time
with his family and representing himself
| as a government employe.
known in Detroit.
West was in business as a broker in
Detroit in 1906 under his right name. and
he was listed In the Bankers Blue Book.
When he married he was converted to
the Catholic faith. and it IS said he took
the name Of Paul West The first bad
, check passed by West was on a Detroit
! bank, and il IS said he was well known
TO business men of the Michigan city.
Whether Mrs. West. who is now in
Brookine with her children. intends COM
/, ing TO Washington has not been learned.
/. Inquiry among relatives Of the former
Washington society girl failed 10 reveal
. Information on her proposed journey
, here. West, or Bennett telegraphed TO
her asking her TO come TO Washington
and TO make arrangements TO retain
lawyer for his defense, but so far as has
been learned the wife has not replied.
It is more than probable that the
! Young woman has been Frustrated by the