The Washington herald., 1910-11-22

That the arrest OF Lieut.. Commander
Henry Knowlson. IT, S n" the master
crook arrested in Baltimore in the gu!se
of a priest and who is wanted in several
cities FOR a series of daring swindles, was
due directly 10 his young wife. came to
light yesterday with other facts hitherto
adroitly concealed. The wife's betrayal
of her husband was unconscious. and she
did not know she had divulged his secrets
until after his arrest.
II was at her home. 81 Perry street.
Brookline. Mass, that the wife uttered
the words which eventually terminated
the sensational career of her fugitive
husband She spoke at a time when the
police were at their wits ends, with no
prospect of capturing the bogus check
manipulation or even picking up his trail.
He had outwltted detectives ct every
turn, and even his identity was unknown
to the police.
After passing worthless checks aggre-
eating $3.50 on Washington banker and
jeweler. ''Knowlson." with his wife and
four children. left Washington and took
up their residence in Brookline. The Bos-
ton police received information that &
man WHO tdu UtFA lpEAAi6 a. a AiAANoA
States food inspector was living at 81
Perry street. and he was suspected OF
being the man who posed as a naval Off
Ger in Washington
Albion X. Paris. OF the banking firm
OF Crane. Paris & Co. from which
Knowlson obtained 5000 worth OF nego-
table bonds by means OF worthless
check, believed he could identify the
swindler Mr.. Paris went 10 Boston
with Detective Pratt. OF Washington. On
the night OF November Mr. Paris, De
tective Pratt. and Inspector Farrell. or
Boston. went 10 the house in Perry street.
''Kuowlson." who was living there under
the name OF Paul West, was at home
with his wife He had shayen his mus
tache and Mr. Paris was not certain that
Mr.. West" was Lieut.. Commander
KnowIson.'
Denies He Il "FInOwIson."
"Knowlson." or West, seid there must
be some mistake, and he said the police
could ind him at home any time they
wished 10 sac him he was cool and
appeared Indignant that the police should
call at his house While Mr.. Paris and
Inspector Farrell were questioning
'.Knowlson." OF West" Detective Pratt
was talking with Mrs. West"
He told her he was looking for a man
wanted by the Washington police and
said he was a Washington detective. do
you know Inspector BoardmanY' asked
Mrs. West.
Certainly" replied Pratt. Inspector
Boardman IS my chief"
Then Mrs. West uttered the fateful
words which ultimately resulted in the
arrest OF her husband.
why ] know Inspector Baordman my
self" said the Innocent young wife
He knew my father before he died. and
knows me and every member OF my FAM
ily." Then she told Pratt her maiden
name.
Wife Aids Detectives.
A few minutes later Mr. Paris. Pratt
and Inspector Farrell left the house
Pratt went at once TO telephone and
called Inspector Boardman by long dis
lance Pratt told the chief Of detectives
what Mrs. West had said. He told the
name she had given as her maiden name
and otter facts she had mentioned.
Inspector Boardman whistled with sur
prise That's our man. Pratt" he said
II remember him now. He was arrested
heres In 1901 under the name of Hume
West for passing a worthless check. Nail
him quick" Pratt told Mr.. Paris and
Inspector Farrell what had transpired
over the telephone and the three returned
at once TO the Perry street house. The
bird had fOwn.
The house was searched, but ''Knowl-
son" could not be found. He had taken
advantage Of the temporary absence OF
the police 10 escape. and although no
stone was left unturned by the detectives.
he could not be located, But tAe fugi-
tive had been identified. The police knew
Lieut. Commander Henry KnOwlson'
was Hume West. alias Paul West. alias
Frank c. Bennett. and they knew where
to find his photograph in the rOgues' gal
lery.
Prisoner Now a Wreck.
"Knowlson" is now behind the bars. a
nervous wreck and under the constant
Gaze OF physicians.
The question of whether Knowlson Is
to be brought TO Washington 10 face
trial on the many charges against him
or to be tried in Baltimore is under con-
sideration by States Attorney Owens.
Marshall Farnan, chief OF the Baltimore
police. has said that he is willing that
"Knowlson" be removed 10 Washington
for trial IL the States attorney so de-
cides. There are charges against "Knowl-
son" IN Baltimore, but the charges In
Washington are more numerous and seri-
Gus. The question probably will be de-
cided to-day.