Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-04-21
Notorious Crook
Guest n Washington Society

VIZ ei'ies IN the country, ii WAS learned
yesterday, entertained Eddie Fay, one
u sne mesi notorious bank-breskeIs
ana postofiicelsburglsrs known to the
pol 10 the guise Of rea, estate broker
socisi leader, and finsncier. Fay. on
we nesday, was .idenliiied by post
ON e officials as "R. f. Cummings, a
man OF wealth and culture whose
u 'ppearsnee from Tacoma, Wash.
s'tsiai years ago, Was shrouded with
much mystery.
Known ss"R. F. Cummingsn in
las ne, Fay, now serving a ten, ear
: ehce ins The Atlanta penitentialy,
wac entertained 10 Washington in
Anil, 1910, under another name. He
stayed at!one of The prominent hotels
In the city, posing rs a millionaire
banker His "pal" was his valet. Elk.
p aiming that he was Western bank
e. he met members of the House and
Ssnsie, was introduced 10 society
women, 4 and was invited TO several
social fuhctions.
With polished manners and per-
fectly groomed, the pseudo banker ,m-
pressed everybody as a man of veal. Il
and substance. The equal of Arsene
Lupln In daring, he burglarized and
cracked more safe than ever were
dreamed Of by the famous society crook
Of fiction.
In Richmond, where Fay cracked
several safes, the police say that on
each occasion he attended social func-
tons before going on his nocturnal ex-
penditioHs. His departure from these
social events preceded the discovery Of
the cracked safes by so slight mar
gin that the police feel sure he must
have worked with his fiash-light aud
the "plunge aud squeeze" while still
arrsyed in his evening clothes and
and silk hat.
There is little doubt in the ninds of
the Washington police that Fay, under
the guise Of a wealthy banker. saved
several hundred thousands Of dollars
from the proceeds Of his crime, aud
that this amount 10 cash fred, safeom
discovery, by the authorities. While
the government has brought suit
against Fay under his Tacoma alias,
in an effort to CONVEX this real estate in
that city into cash to make up the
amount stolen from the Richmond
postoflice, it is believed that the pris-
oner owns great deal of real estate
in other cities.
When Fay was arrested in New York
about year ago, charged with robbing
the Richmond postofllce Of stamps and
cash valued at more Than SIS zoe, de-
tainer was lodged against him by the
police of this city In February, 1910,
Fay, with two companions came here
With Que of the men Fay registered at
the New Willard and posed as a
millionaire banker.
Shortly sfterward one of Fay's COM
panions visited the Farmers and Mer-
chants Hotel, 3270 M street northwest,
and asked to see the proprietor. Ben
jamln Lenovilz, proprietor of the hotel
was in the office and informed the
man that he owned the place.
81 heard you wanted to SELL" said
the man.
Yes said Lenovitz, "if l can get
my price 1 will do SO. l was offe red
$4,000 cash for the place yesterday"
The man told Lenovitz he represent
ed New York millionaire, who want
ed to buy hotel for his valet. Leno-
vitz. was induced to accompany the
man TO the New Willard, where he
was introduced t. the "millionaire,"
who was Fay. They went into the
palm DOM, and Fay gave Lenovitz
dinner aud several quarts Of wine. Fay
did not see Lenovitz again until the
afternoon of February 4, when he called
hirn on the phone and asked himRo
come TO the hotel.
Lenovtz went to the Willard, and
while he and Fay, and two companions
were at lunch, the subject of purchas-
ing The proprietor that he would give
him Sl2, 800 for the hotel. After some
argument the hotel mar agreed to sell
Fay drew check for 200 saying he
would pay the remainder when his
man took possession. He induced
Lenovi,z 10 make out check for ST.
100 to show that he, Lenovitz, was
acting in good faith.
Lenovitz went to his bank next
morning and deposited The checF.
Several days later he was informed
that the person whs signed it had no
money in bank. He then appealed to
the police.
A day or so later Lenovitz identified
a picture Of Fay as the man who had