The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-10
False Pretence Case In Philadelphia.
EXTENSIVE SwINDLING OPERATIONS.
Iron the Philsdalnhia Rnlletin. Nov lQl

EXTENSIVE SWINDLING OPERATIONS.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin, Nov l0.l
For two years past the police have been striving
to discover the identity and of individual
who has succeeded in swndng great number Of persons
by sentpg that he has property in his possession
which bad been wed to his dupes by deceased relatives
IN Europe hs would FIRST ascertain tai number Of facts
then weave together story in pausblea that
he would generally accomplish his purpose without
sums OF MOI Tor the OF paying charges on the
goods wi ch he pretended had been entrusted to his
He had extendd bis operation into other parts of the
Union and several pc, in New and in towns in
the interior of the State have been victimised.
Yesterday officers CALLAHAN and Goldey o. the Mayors
specials repaired to Mrs Reeds tavern in Spruce street.
below Little Dock where they found the individual they
in search Of He sorted to the Mayors Office
attended BY hs wife tho made cor sssratle clamo on
Gamaliel j. Van Colt, but he is also known by
riety of aliases among which yan JONES' Simmons
&C &c
Van Colt had hearir before the Mayor yesterday
afternoon and number OF his misdeeds were brought
home to him Several Of his dupss were present. and
letters wri ten for the purpose Of enabling him to
compsh his villanis exhibited. This morning
he had another hearing. and several new dupes came
forward and identified him. Deputy District Attorney
Mann also saw the prisoner and recognized him
ola convict
Among the witnesses who we're examined this morning
james Mullin the ropretor of the Eagle Tavern at
Frankford The prioner had called in September last
upon Mr. Hugh Mun, living at l49 South Second street.
and made inquiries concerning the whereabouts Of Mr.
James Mulin, pretending that he had something i'm
pcrtept to communicate to him .erning will lot OF
goods &c Mr. Hugh Mullin accompanied the defendant
to the house of Mr.. James Mup The prisoner here
presented himself Charles Jones' and stated that he
had known Michael Mulhn brother Of James, in Liver
pool sn6 that said Michael dead having died at the
house of Mr. Tubmau The had wed to ce, tain
children lot Of valuable dry goods Van Colt had list
of the names of the children and of their mother and
knew so much about the affairs of the family that Mr.
Mnlin was completely deceived. memorandum Of the
goods brought exhibited by the prisoner and
Mr. Mulln informed that he to act guardian
for the children.
The upshot of the matter was that Van Colt obtained
from Mr. Mullin $40, on pretence Of paying certain
charges upon the goods. The broadcoths shaws, &C..
never came to hand, however.
The next called up of peculiar hardship
Mr. Thomas Stephens, poor man. blacksmith, residing
at ~ Reckless street, Southwark, The wilt
ness ognRed the prisoner under the of William
Simmons He had called at the house of Mr. Stephens
and presented that he had just returned Europe
He had letter for Mr. Thomas Stephens and he wouli
not deliver until he could be satisfied he was the
person for whom it was in ended
The prisoner having already made himself familiar with
the history of the family, had difficulty In deceivng
Mr. Stephens who claimed the letter intended for him
This epstle set forth that nephew of the Witness who
in Philadelphia in 1913, visit his uncle hap
pened TO be in California at the time of the discovery
gold there. He had amassed fortune with which he
went to Liverpool Here he took sick, and died short
time since, having first made will in which he left his
property to his uncle Thomas Stephens of this CITY, and
to of the latter. The father receive third
ano the son the remainder of the legacy.
The letter represented that money due the Stephens
family had been invested in broad cloths
lace wells, silk velvet &C., to the of many thou
sand doas The swinde and his dlpes secured storage
for the goods but Var Colt stated them that be could
not get them in bis possession until he psd charges
upon them, amounting to fifty dollars This money young
stephens paid to him without pcon having been
compelled to borrow forty dollars Of the amount
In the pocket Of the prisoner at the time of bis arrest
slip OF paper bearing the name and residence Of Mr..
Stephens, was found This swndle il Of peculiar
hardship the victims being poor very worthy people
Van Cott will have another hearing at eleven O'Clock
swndling will be made against him He was committed
this morning, in default OF 81, COO pail