HANNIBAL: THE REAL CANNIBAL

CHAPTER 7 - THE ARREST

Using stationery left by someone else at Frieda Schneider’s New York City boarding house, Albert Fish obliterated the return address on the pre-printed envelope. But he failed to obscure the emblem with its initials "NYPCBA" (New York Private Chauffeur’s Benevolent Association). Detective King wanted to know: Was the writer of the perverse letter part of that group?

Detective King tried to match the handwriting of the letter with the handwriting on 400 NYPCBA membership forms. None matched. Had someone removed association stationery from the office? Yes, the janitor had. He had taken it to his prior boarding house at 200 East 52nd Street - room 7.

Frieda Schneider was shocked when Detective King questioned her about her current tenants. The description of the man King was looking for sounded just like the man who had moved out of room 7 on November 11. Undaunted, King examined the boarding house sign-in log. The register handwriting matched the letter handwriting with one major difference. The register bore a signature: "Albert H. Fish."

Fortunately for the police, Fish had a reason to return to the boarding house. Every month Fish received his son’s paycheck from the North Carolina Civilian Conservation Corps. Fish would be back for that $25 check. And when he came by for the money, Detective King would come by for the arrest.

King didn’t have to wait long.

go back to previous pageGO TO STORY INDEXcontinue