The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-08

TIE CAREER OF a MISUNDERSTANDING morb
than Fix years ago, certain parsonage, better
known us Col. Digby though his real name is said
to be Nathaniel seymour Benton, and who had q
dozen aliases at least calling himself ut one timo
Wistar, Mt another Mason, mt another StilwpN.
&c, &c, surprised our citizens not little by his
successful swindiing operations, practea upon un-
suspecting storekeepers The Colonel being m
ther hne looking parsonage, with something a q
clerical air, succeeded in obtaining goods to very
considerable amount. Ills most usual plan Of ope-
ration was this: he would walk into store with
confident air. and after inspecting OF the arti-
ees exhibited. make purchase, all except the pay
ing for them, and taking portion with him, would
tell TIC SiQTekeeltr 70 send tho rest TO such
DER Arch street, Walnut street or some other in
the hear, Of the city. Occasionally the Colonel
would desire that the store boz be sent with him,
ana siler going several squares from tho store
would remember that he bad left bis fine white
handkerchief on the counter and send the hoy back
after it, This, ofcourse was but n ,rss. The Co
lionel was finally brought up with a short turn, and
being taken into the Sessions, convicted before
Judge Campbell, and sentenced to six years impri-
sonment in the Eastern Peni;entiay. lie was sem
fenced on the lth OF March, 1915, aud consequent
ly was liberated on the lith of March last having
served out his full term of imprisonment. Since
his Liberation he has been going in his old track
and has obtained numerous articles, besides swim
ding several OF our bctelLeepers. AT Congress
Hall, he went by the name of Amos Buter at tho
White Swan, by that Of Maitland; at the Mcr-
chants, as Miles thurchill, Of Germantown; at the
Madison, "a Robert Crawford At none of these
establishments did he pay cent Of board, and it
IL strongly suspected that he took with him
whatever portable he could lay his hands on.
Swan, by the Mayors special police, and
placed in the lock up for hearing. A par
tial hearing was had, when matchmaker and
jeweller, at No. 81 North Fourth street testified
that the prisoner came to his place Tuesday
evening, between aud o'clock aud asked TO DO
shown some cbains-somc steel ones were first
shown, but he sad that he wanted gold one. lie
finally selected one from iot presented and greed
to give ten dollars for n. Ills name lac said Was
Tallman, and lived in Arch street, and that bc
would call the neat day aud pay for the chain.
The chain was taken, but he did not CALI An at
tcudant in the cwelry sorc No. I05 Chestnut street.
testified that about two weeks ago, the prisoner
called ~ the store and purchased two gold rings at
three dollars apiece lie said that he had but
three dollars about him, and would call the next
day and pay for them. lie said that he was a par
tcular friend Of Mr. Ward, the proprietor and
tina; his name was William II. Patterson; residence
Eleventh street above Chestnut. lie took the rings
but did not call to ray for them II was also testi
fed TO- by n gentleman employed nj Congress Hall,
that The jol0nel there about the 9th ofN1arch,
aud left without paying board-that the morn
ing hc took his unc& pcctcd departure, trunk
tanning watches to the value Of several hundred
collars, was broken open, and the watches abstract
ID therciron While this testimony was being
giyen, the Colonel was much moved. Ills eyes
ilcd with tears, and he lifted up his hands In holy
orror, at this imputation against his integrity.
Mr.. John johnson, employed at the Madison tes-
tiied that the prisoner was ~ that house during
last month, and len without paying his board somo
articles we're missing after his departure. After
he examination Of the witnesses the Colonel made
speech, protesting his innocence Of the charges Of
theft preferred. lie did not deny that he obtained
the chain and rings in the described by tho
witnesses JIG was held for n further hearing, in
ssCO. Col. Digby Is man of large frame, and
stands about ak feet high Ills features large,
and his head bald on the top. since the year 1885,
he has spent thirteen years in the Eastern Pcniten
tiary. lie bids fair to close his earthly career
there.-PhiLcd1. Nurs, Am7l 8.