The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-28
Travelling Man Tried. To Hold
Up Kansas Banker.
Howard Martindale Accused of
Alternating His Wife.
SALESMAN WANTED S1OO BALM
Instead of Money He Got in
Trouble With Detectives.
Martindale Was a Former Can
didate for Congress.

lice are holding Ernest c. Montgom-
cry, 81 years old, a travelling salesman
for Il chemical company with head
q Iarters in Chicago, on charge of at
tempting to extort 800 from Howard
Martindale. SIS years old, president of
bank at Madison, Kan, and former
candidate for congress. The arrest
was made in Martindale's room at the
Hotel Baltimore Saturday night. 1t
is charged that Montgomery accused
Martindale of having alienated the af-
fections of Montgomery's wife.
The arrest was made by Detectives
Boyle and Dyer, who had hidden
themselves in a room adjoining the
one occupied by Martindale.
At headquarters, the police say.
Montgomery admitted that he had de-
manded the 500 from Martlndaie.
but declared he did so because he had
Martindale.
Martindale came to Kansas City the
early part of the present week He
registered at the Hotel Baltimore. Sat
urday evening about o'clock he was
sitting in the lobby of the hotel
Page Mr.. Martindale, came from
the desk to bell boy.
Bell Boy Gave Tip.
Call for Mr.. Martindale," shouted
the bell boy, and the repeating OF the
name seemed to interest the arrival
from Leavenworth. He followed the
boy until Mr. Martindale was found.
Hello, Martindale." exclaimed the
Young man who turned out TO De
MONTGOMERY. 81 would like to have
a few words with you on business.
The two went to Martindale's room
and the latter claims Montgomery
asked him for 500. He was told to
return at O'Clock, and took his leave.
Immediately Martindale told the po-
lice that an attempt was being made
tives were sent to the room. Prompt
~ at 8 o'clock Montgomery reported,
and resumed his demands for the
800.
Write me a receipt for the money"
insisted Martindale, and thereupon
Montgomery wrote out the receipt to
the effect that the 500 was compen-
sation for the alienation of his wife S
affections on December %, 1917.
Montgomery signed, and Martindale
pretended to be getting the money
from his pockets. At given signal
the detectives emerged from their
hiding place in the closet and made
Montgomery a prisoner
Martindale also charged that Mont
gomery had threatened to destroy
him politically
Never Knew Woman.
II am supposed to be seeking a re-
nomination for congress-" said Martin
dale, but politics or no politics, I'll
let no man put anything like that
over on me-"
Martindale denied in his room at
the Hotel Baltimore that woman
was connected with the case. He said
that no mention was made to him by
Montgomery of an apartment house.
II had never seen Montgomery be-
fore to my knowledge until this after
noon." Mr.. Martfndale said. 1.-The man
had me PACED at 8 O'Clock. l met him
in the lobby and we went to the parlor
on the second floor. where he outlined
his proposal. He told me that he knew
me to be a man of prominence, and
we talked for some time. Nothing
was said about an apartment house.
He did, however, mention his wife. I
told him that I would see him again at
o'clock.
A BIackmail Scheme.
Meanwhile 1 called o. r. Arthur
of the Kirk detective agency and ar
ranged with him to have other officials
occupy a room across the hall. When
he came l brought him into the room
and told him to make out a receipt
setting out the facts, and the officers
came into the room and arrested him.
am undecided as to whether or not
I shall prosecute the man.
Il consider this a 'blackmair
scheme for the purpose O. obtaining
money from me, and to ruin me
politically
Mr.. Martindale will open his cam
paign for congress on the Republican
ticket in the Fourth district Nhis week
He was the Republican nominee
against Dudley Doolittle, a Democrat
in 1914, but was defeated. He has
lived in Madison. Kan, all of his life
and has been active in politics.
Martindale is widely known in state
political and banking circles He was
for number of years cashier of the
Madison bank, state institut ion. In
1914 he was the Republican nominee
for congress in the Fourth district
He was a candidate for nomination in
1916, but was defeated by Clyde Mil
Ter. Martindale's present home is in
Emporia- He is a son of the late Col.
William F. Martindale of Emporia. for
many years prominent character in
state politics