Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-07-10
,.,br grcEEyE BLACKSMITH ;,

Among the arts oil Federalism to catch the working.
men of the country, we lately saw distin guished honor
paid to u ~vagabond by the name Of Bear, on whom they
bestowed especial attention. a meeting was held in
shIs city for the purpose of enabling him TO hold forth;
he was ushered to the multitude by Gen. Walter Jones
and members of Congress. MIR. Bell, Mr.. Pope, and
mr. Briggs, felt themselves honored in pla wing a sc.
condary part 20 him, and the performance was heralded
in great display through the National Inteligencer. In
like manner he was noticed by the Mayor and the Fe.
dera! dignitaries and nubobs Of Philadciphia; and BY
the anne class of men in Baltimore. The ltichmond
Enquirer informs US that Mr.. Bear is now in companion.
ship with The Hon. VIM. G.. Rives, pcramhulatinu the
western counties of Virginia, and addressing the people.
When last heard from they were in Harrison county.
Vell, this fellow turns out to be one OF the greatest
,mpos;ors and swindlers in existence! A true Federal
Wing Mechanic is he! All ~cheat-worse than hum.
bug cheat Of the people, as he is used as an instru.
ment TO dceeise and cheat the people!
Read the following statement, viz:
To hkom t may concern.
This may certify that we, the undersigned citizens of
Muskingum county, Ohio, are acquainted with John
w. Bear, the Ohio Blacksmith, as he is called; and
hearing that said Bear is travelling to address the peo-
Pile at public meetings in the Eastern part OF the United
States, pat ourselves under obligations to disabuse the
public as to the character of said Bear.
His character may be discovered from the following
facts, which we certify to be true:
In the spring of 1897, said Bear being at that time a
Blacksmith by trade, was elected one Of the constablcs
of Salt Creek township, in said county OF aluskingum,
Ohio; and amongst his first duties, he collected, upon
an execution, about 800, from John Clappcr, for the
use of George Clapper, the execution being in said
Geo. Clippers favor. Soon after receiving said mo.
ney, said Bear ran away from said MGskingun, without
having returned said execution, and John McCoid and
Josiah Sherman, said Bears securities, had the money
to pay. A short time before said Bear thus ran away,
he applied to VIM. Betz, of said county of Muskinuum,
10 purchase a mare, to enable him, as he said, the better
to perform his duties as constable, saying also TO said
Betz, that he had not, at that time, the money to pav
therefor; bat he should have in a few months, as he was
going to reform himself and do better. Said Be,z sold
him the mare, and took said Bears two notes therefor,
each for SIS 90, due some months thereafter. A few
days after purchase of said mare, said Bear ran away
without paying for her, and he never yet has paid the
debt.
Said Bear also ran away, as aforesaid, indebted to
Richard Sullivan, of said county of Muskingum, for a
wagon, which he borrowed from said Sullivan, and
sold in Norwich, in said county Of Muskingam, to pay
q gambling debt. He has never paid for said wagon.
Said Bear is also indebted to DIR. n. z. Mercer, of said
county Of Muskingum, for medical services for himself
and family, and indebted to Thomas Mawhorter, on an
account, and to many others, all which he ran away
from, and left unpaid.
Said William Beiz, come time after said Bear ran
away, as aforesaid, having some other business on the
route, traced said Bear 10 Indiana, and there learned
that he had asain absconded, and, upon further inquiry,
on returning home, said Betz learned that said Bear
had gone to the neighborhood of Circleville, Ohio.
We know bin 10 be q dishonest man Of base character.