Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-04-27
EXTRAORDINARY ATTEMPT TO
EXTORT MONEY

EAIOGi MONEY.
A nczoi mode Of raising the wind-novel.
SO lar as this country IS concerned. although
Of not unfre9uent occurrence in England, IS
detailed in the New York papers:
1t seems that MIR. W. 3. Astor, who en-
joys the reputation Of being rich man. has
received within the last few days several let
ters, written in the style which the gallant
General Shields has lately brought into fash
ion, demanding the respectable sum of fifty
thousand Goliars-the alternative being the
peril Of life and property.
Having reason TO believe that there might
be some propriety in asccrtaining how far this
natter was really to be carried, Mr. Astor
consulted the Chief Of Police, under whose
direction the following plan Of action was pur-
sued.
Itseens thatthe letters signed z. r. B rass-
wood and sent to both Mr.. Astor and his wife,
required the sum Of 5000 to be delivered
TO person who should call Mt Mr.. Astor's Of
ice for the purpose. the claim for the money
being based upon alleged connection in Lusi-
ness in 1914, between the father OF the wri-
ter and the late John Jacob Astor. The bus
mess was the cTeditabie one of making spu-
rious cCln for tho Indian trade, and so Success
ful was the operation, that upon a ca itai Of
800, eco. the return amounted to 50, 500 900,
a very fair profit considering the times. OF
this sum little over half a million should
have fallen to the acting partner in the bust
ness the late Mr.. Brasswood and his brother
but by some h0cls poc1sS. both of these claim
ants were made TO die just in the right time
TO save the necessity of making a ina! adjust
inent of the business. and the heir at law now
comes forward with his claims.
In the letter to Mrs. Astor was directed if
he complied with the demand, to insert an ad-
tI,a "a. tl,a II
consequence thereof officer Bower Inserted
an advertisement in the Herald, that the $780,
600 could be had by addressing 4. r. D., at
the Herald office. This called forth an an
swer. that the money would be called for at
10 O'Clock GA the 18Th. the writer directing
that the money should be put up in packages
cf the denomination Of $50 aud $500, and say
ing that II was useless TO attempt TO find out
the writer, rs every thing bad been SO arrang-
ed as to render it impossible. Officer Bow
yer, then made up a package Of worthless
biils took them to Mr.. Astor and told him to
deliver them to any person that called for
them, and the officers then stationed them
selves in different places TO keep "a lookout.
AZ 10 O'Clock a certain Franklin d. Bragg
appeared at Mr. Astoi's door, received the
package and left, followed by the officers to
the corner of Cliff and Fulton streets, when
ne stepped into a store, pat newspaper n
round 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 States Ho-
tel and il would be called for. He was d.
rected to do so, bat charged net to open his
mouth TO speak make sign. and officer
Reed went with him. After delivering the
package they waited, but 10 one came, and
after short time they left.
1. 4
made his appearance in the bar room, and re-
ceiyed the package and then left, with the of
fcers close upon his heels. He got into a
stage, rode TO the corner of Broadway and
Canal streets. where he got cut, and the Off
GERS also aiighted. He then went TO an ex-
change Office on the corner OF Mercer street,
where the officers arrested him with the
package I'D his possession. He told the Off
GERS that he had received letter from Brass
wood telling him that he must get the pack
age of money from the Hotel and have it eX-
changed for other money and as fast as he X-
changed il he must forward it to p Philadelphia,
and that he might retain 81, 500 for his ser
vices and il lie did not do it his life would
DC tdnan.
Bragg is a brother in law of Bgcs, and he
says that Biggs gave him directions to do as
he had done. Yesterday information wasre-
celved by the Chief Police that letter in the
same hand writing had been received by Mr..
William Smith an old aud nfirm man, but
very rich, residing ut 81. Georges Menor,
Long Island. having the same date as those
received by Mr.. Aston, demanding $4,000 on
a penalty Of having his house burnt and his
life destroyed. Ii was evidently written by
Biggs. who is we'll known to the authorities.
The officers deserve the thanks of the com
munity for the very ingenious manner ia
which they detected these rogues.