The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-26
ISSUED SEVERAL
WORTHLESS CHECKS
Was Proprietor of United
Merchants, Brokers and
Mortgage Co. of 140 and
142 East Intendencia
Street = Complete Coun-
terfeiting Plant Found in
His Quarters.

Alleged to be a counterfeiter as
well as with having put in circula-
uon numerous worthless checks in
various cities in the south, Edward
Rentsch, formerly OF this city, has
been arrested in Chicago by Pinkerton
men, and will be taken to Georgia to
stand trial on some OF the numerous
charges pending against him. While
In Pensacola Rentsch launched the
United Merchants, Brokers and Mort
gage Company at Nos. 14o and 143
East Intendencia street and incident
ally he gave some checks which
proved to be worthless. They were
cashiers certified checks on a Gin
cinnati bank and when they we're re-
turned Rentsch made them good with
an explanation that was satisfactory
to the parties to whom he gave them.
1t was these transactions which
called Chief of Police Sanders into
the case He called on Rentsch to
come to the police station and he did
so, presenting one OF his cards, which
the chief still has in his possession.
LEFT THREE MONTHS AGO.
Rentsch, after the check episode,
left Pensacola, going to Birmingham.
but returned within a few days. He
carried small ads in local papers and
these he cancelled with the statement
that he had been called to New York
on a big deal, but would return in
a few days, when he expected to open
up a big business. He never returned,
however, and the next Chief OF Police
Sanders heard Of him was about ten
days ago when a Pinkerton man put
in an appearance. He was on tho
trail CT Rentsch, whom the detectives
believe to be none other than the
noted counterfeiter and confidence
man, Edward Rentz, who has been
lost TO them for year or more. The
Pinkerton men gathered come infor-
nation in Pensacola and then con-
tinued his trail, overtaking Rentsch
in Chicago, where he was arrested.
The Atlanta Journal of a few days
ago contained the following story OF
the arrest of the man and the coun-
terfeiting plant found in his estab-
lishment in that city.
"One Of the most complete counter
feiting outfits ever found in the south
was confiscated Tuesday afternoon
when City Detectives Campbell and
u
men, raided the upper floor OF the
Rentsch Mercantile Company. 524
Marietta street. Edward Rentsch,
head Of the establishment, whose real
name detectives declare is Rentz, was
in Chicago Tuesday after a
long chase. He will be brought back
to Georgia and put on trial in Ror Q,
where II is charged he issued bunch
Of bogus checks.
For the past six months this man,
who the detectives declare to be ono
Of the boldest crooks in the south, has
been engaged In business in Atlanta.
He came to this city from Pensacola,
Fla, where 1t is said he has wife
now residing.
THE Rentsch Mercantile establish
ment was opened here on his arrival,
and since that time It's owner, 1t is
claimed, has secured more than 34o.-
300 In deeds and mortgages to prop
erty in and around Atlanta
Tn 1908 Rentz, as he was known
then, disappeared from sight. He was
being searched for everywhere by de-
tectives for old charges. Nothing
more was heard OF him, and when he
his business In Atlanta un-
der a new name he was not suspect
ed.
FORGED MANY CHECKS.
Tn September he went to Rome.
where It Is said he forged as many
as fifty checks for large amounts.
From there he went to Knoxville and
began the same game, but was ar
rested. He escaped from jail. however,
- No1 to 6vt1gcauO WHARF ba Was