New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-27
BLACKMAILER
PLEADS GUILTY
Dandy Bill Sentenced
to Is Months in
u. S. Prison.

DANDY Bill" Butler. of Philadelphia,
called by Federal agents sort Of vice
president and general manager of the
Eastern branch Of the so-called Mann
act blackmail syndicate, pleaded guilty
in the United States Circuit Court here
yesterday afternoon to a charge OF con-
spring to impersonate Federal Off
Ger. Judge Manton sentenced him TO
serve eighteen months in the Federal
penitentiary at Atlanta. and he WILL
start south from the Tombs to-day.
There was another indictment against
Butler. charging him with having par
ticipated i'm tho carrying out Of the
conspiracy. That will stand until ne
has served his term. Government oth 70
cials say Rutler will he rearrested as
no leaves the penitentisry, but II was
u,hisporcd about the Federal Building
that he was permitted 10 plead 10 the
lesser indictment TO shield the name OF
woman.
Butler. Who has learned in his sd-
ventures among the smart SET how 10
wear the right sort of clothes m the
right sort of way, but who still uses the
vernsrular Of his old pursuit, wireless
wire tapping. was brought over from
pbiladeiphia in the morning. He had
waived extradition and insisted that he
wanted everything 10 go smoothly. 9,
ave might as we'll start as friends
he told John c. Knox, the special As
sistant United States District Attorney
in charge Of the blackmail cases
"Mavbe well be together lot.
That was DANDY Bits way OF
limiting he might be persuaded 70 alo
the government investigatlon- Cnances
of getting information from MN seemeo
co nromisinp to Mr.. Knox that ne
ioined f. II. Stephenson, Buffers law
yer, in a plea FOR leniency. II was IN
Rntler's home in Philadelphia. the for
NOR told the court, that the plan TO
kidnap Mrs. Regina Kllpper was
hatched when il appeared that the tes-
tinony of that pretty young CLOAK
model threatened the safety OF the
Gang Three men, who representa-
4 Themselves 10 Mrs klipper as federai
onicers. one of whom is alleged to have
bnon Rutler. ARRESTED" her, brought
bcr IN New York and forced her to pay
sSoor bv threatening action under the
Mann act.
West Tells of $4,000 Plot.
AZ Butler was DclnS hrralSES a." .
came from Chicago that another victim
NJ The blackmail trust had come FOR
vard and revealed his identity. This
nan who had been referred TO pre-
viously AS A. NJ Wesley, proved 70 De
Edward X. West, vice-presldent OF the
C. & d. Gregg Tea and Coffee Com
many. OF New York and Chicago. west
concern has a branch here at 20 r rront
] street. but West himself lives IN Hlgh-
/ land park. an exclusive suburb of Chi
cago. -, .L-L ..,
W.st ran afoul Of the blackmailers. As
be told his story in Chicago, he met IN
the Western city a young woman VINO
proposed a trip East. West, uidower,
! snends much of his time on the road
brtueen the two cities. He assented.
ave started for New York on May 3
last" he continued. 81 had known the
uoman-her name was Alice Williams
/ ,ben-for several weeks. The very hrst
niobt we were in New York three men
Inc 90 the door of our room IN the
Uo,el Ansonia. They said they were
oovernment officers and pretended 10
sryest us for violation OF the Mann act
~, vas an out-andout blackmail
p,onosition. I wouldn't give up 81 hrst
hut the woman implored me to save her
name She WAS convent bred girl
Cootinu.d on reg. o. column