The Jailbreak of Port Angeles’ Fake Banker

PORT ANGELES, Dec. 30—Ex-banker Benjamin F. Schwartz has made his escape from the county jail. Late last night, he slipped by the jailer, who was making a fire, and walked out of the open door. The jail is an insignificant affair, originally built by the city to confine drunkards. Schwartz, who is small and had convinced his keepers there was no danger of flight, had been allowed to stay in the office area. Evidence suggests the escape was planned; his wife was seen on the streets shortly before he vanished. Theories circulate that he was spirited away by Indigenous people across the straits, or that a waiting sailing vessel whisked him toward Seattle or Port Townsend. Schwartz, 42, is a well-traveled man of varied 'fakir propensities,' having been a newspaper conductor, collection agent, theatrical manager, and treasury clerk. In Port Angeles, he founded the First National Bank and later the 'Bank of Port Angeles,' which functioned primarily as a vessel for speculation and false representations. He was eventually convicted of embezzling a mortgage note and sentenced to eighteen months. The list of victims is long, including local residents, the Knights of Pythias, and banking institutions from Seattle to San Francisco.