The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-03-20
RAORDINARY ATTEMPT TO TX
TORT MONEY.

IA L. X.
TORT MONEY.
A novel mode of raising the wind-novel. so
far as this country is concerned, although of not
unfrequent occurrence in Engand-is detailed
in the New York papers
1t seems that Mr.. w. B. .Aster who enioys
the reputation of being a rich man, has receiv.
ed within the last few days several letters, writ.
ten IN style which the gallant General Shields
has lately brought into fashion, demanding the
respectable sum OF fifty thousand dOllars-the
alternative being the peril Of lie and property.
Having reason to believe that there NIGH be
some propriety in ascertanng how far this mat.
ter was really to be carried, Mr. Astor consulted
the Chief of Police, under whose direction the
following plan OF action was pursued.
1T seems that the letters signed E. X. Bass
wood and sent to both Mr. Astor and his wife, re-
CURED the sum OF $50 900 to be delivered to
person who should call at Mr. Astor's office for
the purpose, the claim for the money being bas-
ed upon alleged connection in business in 1914.
between the father OF the writer and the late
John Jacob Astor. The business was the credi
table one OF making spurious coin for the Indian
trade, and so successful was the operation, that
upon capital of $20,500, the return amounted
to $1,000 OO0 very fair profit considering the
times. OF this sum, a little over half million
should have fallen to the &C ing partner in the
business, the late Mr.. Eastwood and his brother.
but by some hocuS p0cus both of these claimants
were made to die just IN the right time to save
the necessity of making final adjustment of the
business, and the heir at law now comes forward
with his claims.
In the letter to Mrs Astor, Mr. Astor was d.
rected if he complied with the demand, to insert
an advertisement to that effect in the Herald
In consequence thereof officer Bower inserted
an advertisement in the Herald, that the $50,
600 could be had by addressing A. r. D., at the
Herald office. This called forth an answer. that
the money would be called for at 10 O'Clock on
the 18th, the writer directing that the money
should be put up in packages, in bills of the de-
nomination of $50 and $500, and saying that if
was useless to attempt to find out the writer as
everything had been so arranged as to render it
impossible. Officer Bower then made IN a
package of worthless bills took them to Mr.. As
tor and told him to deliver them to any person
that called for them, and the officers then sta
toned themselves in different places to keep
look out.
AT 10 o'clock certain Franklin d. Bragg an
peared at MIR. Astor's door, received the package
and left, followed by the officers to the corner of
Cliff and Fulton streets, when he stepped into a
store, put newspaper around the package, and
proceeded TO direct it, when the officers arrested
him. He told the officers that he was directed
to get the package and leave it at the United
pto CO IlotSi anu IL WOuIu De called Tor. He was
directed to do so, but charged not to open his
mouth, to speak or make sign, and officer Reed
went with him. Alter delivering the package.
they waited, but no one came, and after a short
time they lett.
Immediately afterwards Isaac A. Biggs made
his appearance in the bar room, and receive ed the
package and then left. with the officers close nm.
on his heels. He got into stage, rode to the
corner oil Broadway and Canal streets, where he
got out, and the officers also aghted. He then
went to an exchange Office on the corner of Mer.
Ger street, where the officers arrested him. with
the package in his possession. III e told the off
GERS he had received letter from Eastwood
telling him that he mus. get the package of mon.
ey irom-the hotel and have it EXCHANGED for 9th.
er money, and as st as he exchanged it he mnst
forward 1t to Philadelphia and that he might re.
tam VI ,oOo Tor his services, and if he did not do
it his life would be taken.
Bragg is brother IN law Of Biggs, and he savs
that Biggs gave him directions 10 do as he had
done. Yesterday information was received bv
the Chlet OF Police that letter in the same hand
writing had been received by Mr.. William Smitb
an old and inhrm man, but very rich. residing At
st. Georges Manor, Long Island. having the
same date as those received by MIR. AstoT. de-.
handing $4,000 on penalty OF having his house
burnt and his life destroyed 1t was eyidentIv
written by Bggs, who is we'll known TO the an,
thoritIes. The officers deserve the thanks ofthe
community for the very ingenious manner in
which they detected these rogues