Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-30
From the Philadelphia Times.
A VAST SCHEME TO ExToRT MONEY

A VAST SCHEME TO EXTORT MONEY.
Our sister city of New York has been as
founded by the exposure of one of the boldest
schemes to extort large sum of money ever
yet arranged. AS the Globe says, "lt will,
no doubt, long be remembered, not only on
account of its audacious rascality, and the
fearful measures made use of 10 accomplish
the nefarious design, but also as an instance
of signal failure in a stupendous and we'll
planned project of fraud, which, had it sue
ceeded, would have enriched the vilainous
authors in the sum of $4,000"
John Jacob Astor, recently deceased in New
York, left the bulk of his property-an i'm
mense sum, only to be counted in millions
to his son, William B. Astor. The latter gem
tleman resides at No. "a Lafayette Place, and
has an office in the upper part of the CITY,
Mr. Astor has received lately several letters
from a man signing himself e. K. Bass
wood" demanding from him $4,000, and
threatening his life and property, in case of
his refusal to give it. The 18th instant was
fixed as the last day of grace. Mr.. Astor
went to the police He was directed how to
act. He advertised in the Herald that the per-
son who had advertised for $50, 900 could re-
ceive it by calling. Officers lay in wait. A
man named Franklin G. Bragg called for the
money, and being handed package of worth
Jess notes, walked off with 1t, and was follow
ed by the police officers to grocery store on
the corner of Cliff and Fulton streets, where
Bowyer accosted him in relation to the pack
age. He replied that it was package which
he was instructed to leave at the bar of the
United States Hotel, addressed 10 A. R. D,
Green, who would call for it. He was then
told to go and deliver it, and warned against
intimating that he had been spoken to. He
delivered it, and as he left the motel was ar
rested. Officer Reed, after waiting at the no.
tel, observed Biggs approach the bar and ash
for the package, which was handed him. anC
with which he left, followed by officers Bow
yer and Reed, TO the Battery, and thence Il
the corner of Maiden Lane and Broadway
where he entered an omnibus, in which office
Bowyer also took a seat, officer Reed remain
ing outside At the corner of Canal stree
and Broadway, BigEs got out and entered al
exchange Office. The officers took him int
custody at the corner of Canal and Merce
streets, with the package in his possession
and conducted him to the chiefs Office. o.
searching his person, letter was found. pur
porting to have been written to him by Bass
wood, evidently in the same hand. directin
him to follow the instructions in the commu
mication, and that failure would place hi
own life in jeopardy. The letter set fort
that he must 60 to the United States Hotel an
inquire for the package alluded to, whic
would contain 1000 in bills, and that h
must get it exchanged, and send it through tn
post Office to certain address, and that b
must, under no circumstances, communicat
any information respecting it, unless he shoul
get toto difficulty, in which case he was at lii
.erty to tell all he knew.
Since the arrest of Biggs and Bragg-whc
by the way. are brothers-in .law-informatio
has been received by the chief of police, tn;
Mr.. William Smith, OF St. Georges Mano
Long Island, had also received similar threa
ening letters, purporting to be signed by job
George Jones, stating that if he did not ser
$4,000 to a certain direction, his buildiI
would be burnt down. On comparing Il
communication sent to Mr.. Smith, with tho
sent to Mr.. Astor, it became evident that thu
had been sent by the same party, and write
by the same individual. The accused we
committed for examination by the chief Of P
lice