The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-10-29

William Ives Ponter, who about a year ago stood we'll with Bridgeport merchants as dealer in electrical goods, and who moved in good society here, was arrested in Springfield, Mass, yesterday for the New York police, after a search of about a year.
 Ponter's escapades during the year he has been missing have led to his arrest on at least two occasions, but by the use of aliases, he succeeded in concealing his identity from the police each time he was arrested, until he had made good his escape. It was through information furnished by De- tective Sergeant Cronan of the Bridgeport police department that the springfie authorities ascertained Ponter's whereabouts.
 He was arrested yesterday after noon by Captain John H. Boyle of the in his office where were MT and Mrs Herbert c. Banks of 453 West avenue this city. Banks was working for with the Loconobt1e Company here to take up with Ponter in the conduct of the Springfield Maintenance Com pany, dealers in electrical supplies enterprise, and equipped them hand somely.
 Ponter's real name is said to Wfl lia Knoblock. It was under that name that he was doing business in Springfield. The New York police say, however, that he is also known has served prison sentences in New York State for various offences. In- asmuch as he has waived his right Is expected that he will be in New York before night, there to await the action of the New York prosecuting authorities.
 Ponter has many schemes to get money SjlV several them cessfu1 because they were so bold that his victims would not credit him with undertakings. One of these was to maintain a dual personality. In New York he was known, for instance. as William Knobloch and in Bridgeport
 He advertised for partner and induced Louis Espenhain, a mechanic. to invest $500 in an electrical enter name ham m of 1 Knopiock he S did Business @ with Espenhafn in New York city, and reported to his partner that he had secured a patron in Bridgeport named Ponter. Unsuspecting E1spen- hain shipped all their product to Ponter, expecting remittances which failed to come.
 port and New York it is alleged that Ponter altered the dates upon his communication book, an offense for which the railroad detectives have
 
 were only a few of many. Michael J. Lee, local agent for the Narragan- sett Brewing. Company, was about the only Bridgeporter who beat out Ponter. for when he gave Lee 'phony' check Lee sent sheriff after him to get the cash, and Ponter to avoid trouble made good.
 Disappearing from sight little over a year ago Ponter apparently discarded that name for good. When Espenhain and the New York .detec- tives came here they were unable to gain any trace of him.
 While in this city Ponter made his home at the residence of Mrs. Julia D. McElroy, who lived then at 234 West avenue. Mrs. w. A. Kippen, her daughter, also lived in an apart ment at the same address. Ponter made a good appearance. appeared to be used to the good things of life, and received courteous treatment at the McElroy home Shortly after he took up his residence there MT. and Mrs. Kippen became estranged, and Mrs. Ktppen is said to have left Bridgeport shortly after Ponter's dis
 Later Mrs. McElroy removed to 737 Myrtle avenue, where she and Mrs. Kippen have since resided. But Pom ter did not return to Bridgeport so far as the local police are informed. Detective Sergeant Edward Cronan of the local police department learned in his investigation of Ponter's disap- pearance that he had organized the