The Washington herald., 1910-11-21


The light OF publicity yesterday fell
upon che past life OF Lieut.. Commander
Henry Knowlson. L. S. NJ" destined to
the fame Of a king among crooks, and
incidentally revealed closed chapter in
the life OF Washingtons best society OF
a few years ago.
Facts almost forgotten, and revived
only by the arrest of the notorious swind-
Ter, show that the story Of the life of
the man is like a tale of romance. in
which the leading characters are not
children Of the imagination but persons
who lived and moved in the exclusive
circles OF the National Capital
When the newspapers told OF the cap
ture Of the swindler In Baltimore, aged
residents Of Washington who knew the
man when he married into one OF the best
known families of this city. began recall
ing the story and 1t went from tongue TO
tongue. Hume West was the name un-
der which KnOWlsOn appeared in Wash
ington for the first time, about eleven
name, but he has frequently used II since
then among the various aliases he as
sumed.
Girls Family Wealthy.
West was a student OF medicine. and
left the University Of Pennsylvania.
where he was studying. Just before he
came 10 this city He stopped in a hotel
fr
OF Senators and Representatives made
their home. and soon gained friends in
a number OF exclusive social sets West
then met the girl who is now his wife.
She was young, pretty. and came from
a family that was as wealthy as It was
aristOcratic.
The girl had been studying at the Con-
vent OF the Visitation. in Connecticut
avenue. and she was the daughter OF an
eminent lawyer. The young medical stu
dent. who was handsome. polished. and
apparently a gentleman. fell in love with
the convent girl and she reciDrocated the
affection Her family objected ID Vests
attentions, but the girl did not care for
parental objection. and the couple were
married.
The marriage practically resulted in
osTacism for the girl but she was happy
IN the love of her husband. Their first
trouble came on April 3. 1901. when Detee-
tives Parham and Weldon took West into
custody on a charge of false pretenses.
West was accused of passing a check for
$50 on Representative Samuel ". Smith.
of Michigan. West was indicted by the
grand jury and released under $500 bond.
His wfe's relatives came 10 his aid with
money and he was never tried.
Children came. and n Is believed West
began earning an honest livelihood. At
any rate. he and his wife were happy
lie was always loving. and seemed 10
think only OF her welfare and the happi-
ness of the children. Where they lived
and how West earned bread for his
family has not been learned, Four chill
dren were born-Lelia, the eldest, who IS
now eight years old: Tiny who IS six;
Joseph. a lad OF three years. and the
baby James, who will be year old in
December.
Returned Last March.
It is believed the girl lost track OF her
relatives. and II is known they did not
know her Whereabouts But on March 70
last the family took up their residence at
1919 street northwest, where Edward
p Power, a plumber. and his wife con-
duct boarding-ho West gave the
name OF Frank c. Bennett, and said he
was head of a construction company
which had a contract for erecting Off
GERS quarters at Indian Head, Nd Ben
nett and his wife told Power that they
came here from New York City They
had been travelling I'm South America pre-
vious 10 their residence in the metropolis.
and would probably live In this city
Until the work al Indian Head was COM
pleted they said.
The family occupied a suite Of rooms
on the second floor They grew friendly
with Powers and his wife. and at differ
ent times Mrs. Bennett let drop remarks
which have since grown significant TO
the landlady Once Mrs. Bennett said:
'Ihe world owes us a living. We have
four children and we intend that they
shall live right" Another time she re-
marked; Il have $4,000 worth of dia-
monds In storage but I don't wear them
because don't like 10 wear the kind of
clothes that one would have to wear with
Jewelry,"
Bennett and his wife dressed quietly
but neatly and in good taste. The wife
and mother cooked for the family and
they ate in their rooms. Bennett prided
himself on the fact that he never stayed
out late at night. that he loved his wife,
and was devoted to his children Ac-
cording to Powers, Bennett seldom came
home from the business section without
bringing the children bonbons and expen-
sive candies and delicaeies.
offered Many Excuses.
Power had difficulty in collecting rent
from Bennett. The roOmer offered a
score Of excuses for delaying the pay
ment on different occasions. but when
he left he had paid Power In full Ben
nett purchased groceries, drugs, and
other necessities at stores in the vicinity.
and ran accounts at whatever place he
dealt. But when he left the rooming
house he had paid for all the goods he
rad bought Power found a bundle OF
receipts, bearing recent dates. on the
mantel in the bedroom occupied by Ben
nett and his wife.
Benefits method OF opening an ac-
count with merchant was unique. AZ
ter purchasing a small bill of goods he
would display a bill OF large denomina-
ti0n and say:
THAT is the smallest I have. WIN YOU