The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-04

hopuDlooD,
An important arrest was effected Tuesday last Ill
the particulars Of which have not yet been Furnished
from relinbie source We give the general facts in
ming with the first appearance in the West Of tho alleged
swindlsr, who is the hero Of the narration
Houston and who out Ss Hs wealthy Eng
lsh gentleman, arrived in the town Of Bloomington,
Illinois Possessing favorable exterior and having
pleasing plausible address he gained the confidence
Of several Of the principal citizens to whom he
nicated his intention OF investing capital in their
Of description Of bank under the new State law
he finally induced several gentlemen to enter into his
others advanced to Houghon aggregate q $4,000 to
100000.
became necessary for of the partnsrsin the new
concern to visit New York, and accordingly Houghton
was dispatched He remained but short time there
when he started back for the west again via the Ohio
He had failed to attend to the business tho association
and only thought Of euding those acqaintance In
due time his drafts New York presented but dis
honorsd acushton arrived in this city sometime during
house as Col Monroe, British officer furough. He
remained In this city few days endsavoring, evidently
Of elegont leisure In due course announcing to
his feowboarders his intention to journey overland
purchased buggy for $500 from Messrs Falon Wright
and set Of harness from Col Grmsley for sos besides
apsir Of fine horses He paid every purchase in cash,
striving eess to get everything at the lowest fig
ure He started and taking with him full complement
Of guns and dogs visited successfully the of Spring
field Arrow Rock and Dsnvle stopping here and there
along the route where the chances looked best for sport
For while. also lemale accompanied hi a whom he
passed of as his wife
In Dsnvlle he gave himself the and style OF OIL
Shelby saying that he OF Gov Shelby OF Ken.
lucky He was taken Ill here and remained confined for
about month. During his convalescence he paid his
addresses to young lady of Danvile but she proc
against both his eoquenee and his gold and ad
venturer having regained his strength started again for
this city. citizen OF Danvile, named Cole, accompa
MED him. They arrived at st. Charles Monday last
Leaving that place. Houghton Shelby, he called
himself stated to his companion that he about to
visit Terra Haue by Alton and would stop ut the
Prairie House that night, to at the Upper
Ferry early In the morning He objected to pass through
the city because he feared he alleged. to lose
his dogs This proceeding excited the suspicious Of Mr.
Cole, and stage agent, Mr. Spading became also
ceedngy doubtful Of the truth OF his representations
The latter thought proper to hasten to the city to
warn police officers.
In the meantime the parties in Bloomington had
active in their searches for the fugitive They left de-
scpions Of his person the police Office and other wise
avaled themselves of every precauton ferret him out
Mr. Spaldng conferred with the police here and about
Tuesday two officers accompanied by Of the
party from Bloomington started out upon the st.
Charles road When short distance past ObuchoR's
they met him. he arrested secured and brought to
his identity with the Houehton Of Bloomington He
suffered to remain here but very short tme yesterday
morning he started the steamer Cornelia In
tody Of two police officers for Bloomington via Spring
field
stated that shortly after Houghtons arrival here
he taken, with his effects to the residence OF the
Mayor, to undergo search and that there found
ssme $4,000 in gold together with some checks the
Bank Of England and other papers Of value