The Washington herald., 1911-12-16
+. G. CARPENTER
FOILS IMPOSTOR
Continued from Page One.

penter. jefferson was arrested by Detec-
tive Kelly and taken to police headquar-
ters
He gave the police his name, but re-
fused to tell them about himself or
whence he came. II is the opinion of the
authorities that the man is a profess
! sional swindler, and every effort to oD-
tain his past history by means of pho
tographs and circulars will be made to-
day.
Forged cards, credentials, and refer
ences bearing the names of prominent
business men were picked from beneath
a chair in the newspaper office where
the alleged swindler had been sitting.
These papers he had taken from his
pocket and torn up, evidently with the
intent OF destroying them before the ar
rival of the police. The papers were
taken to police headquarters, where they
were pieced. They will be held as evil
dence against the prisoner.
Immediately after the arrest of Jeffer-
son the police threw out a dragnet for
young man believed to be his confed-
crate, who drove him to the trust COM
pany offices in a weH-appointed trap and
waited for him. AS II he had been warn
ed of the unmasdng of Jefferson by
some sign from the latter, the younger
man drove away. Despite the efforts of
the police he had not been located at
an early hOur this morning.
Planned a Week Ago.
From what the police can learn. Jeffer-
son began to plan his attempt to borrow
5000 on Mr.. Carpenters property about
week ago. He first made his appear
ance at a banking institution in Ninth
street northwest, represented himself to
be Frank G. Carpenter, talked about his
various travels and easily convinced the
official in charge that he was the jour-
nalist. He then talked of borrowing the
money on property he purported to own
at 1922 Vermont avenue northwest.
Armed with a letter of Introduction
from the banking official which strength
ened his claim as Frank G. Carpenter,
the man called on a welI-known real
estate and loan broker. In the meantime
he had obtained a tax certificate from
the District assessors Office, which show
ed that the taxes on the property had
been paid and also told to what amount
the house and lot was assessed. These
certificates can be obtained by any one
by the payment of a fee.
The certificate, however. tended to
thwart the suspicious of those with whom
Jefferson dealt. After meeting the realty
and loan broker he advanced one step
further in his plan by being introduced
tween his visit to the title company and
the time when the Company's agent had
completed an investigation of the title
to the property Jefferson paid frequent
visits to the Office of the realty and loan
broker.
Yesterday he made his appearance and
declared that he would have to have the
money Immediately. He was told that II
would take several days. He argued that
he needed the 5000 because he had TO
go to South America to obtain some
matter for a series of newspaper stories.
1t was arranged that the money should
be given to him in the afternoon.
'Phoned to Carpenter.
In the meantime, William l. Crane,
assistant secretary of the trust company,
decided to corroborate the identity OF the
man. He went to a telephone and called
Mr.. Carpenter. The latter gladly acqui-
esced TO be present at the banking insti-
tuition at the time appointed for the
meeting with the pseudo Carpenter. and
the subsequent arrest Of the alleged
swindler followed.
Il don't know how the man knew so
much of my affairs" said Mr.. Carpenter
last night He knew-that / was to
leave on a trip Saturday morning. That
was known only 10 a few OF my friends
He knew that the property at 1922 Yer
mont avenue belonged to me. l have
had the property in the hands OF agents
for some time. I had never tried to
borrow money on it. but had ordered the
agents to sell it at a certain figure. Evil
IDENTIFY the man must have premeditated
the attempted swindle for some time
He knew where l banked, and was care
full to avoid all persons who knew me
don't know who the man is, and never
saw him before"