The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-11-07

From the Missouri Democrat oct. 81.
A $4,000 SwindIcr Caught-Adroit Po-
lice Practice.
Yesterday, at 9 A. NJ, Mr.. Daniel Emer-
son, a wealthy resident of this city, formerly
engaged and extensively known as whole
sale dealer in -four and produce, was arrested
at bis home on Fourteenth street, near Frank
lin avenue, on charge of swindling to the
extent of $4,000. The arrest was made by
those adroit detectives, Messrs. Manning and
KenwOrthy. The history of the case and
the circumstances of the arrest will be found
particularly interesting.
On the 28Ch of March last, Emerson Sic
ceeded in obtaining from various clothing
houses in New Y ork' city, credit for goods to
the amount of about $l4 900. He rcpresen-
ted himself as of the firm of r. p. wilkins
q Co., Of Minneapolis, Minnesota Territory.
Being really connected with that firm, he was
able to induce them fully to believe this
statement, and also that he was individually
proprietor of $1,000 worth of stock in the
st. Louis gas company. Among others, the
firm of Hanford & Brothers, clothiers No.
70 Park Row, were taken in for $3,145 80.
For this sum Emerson gave them three prom
issory notes, signing them R. P. Wilkins &
20. He then started west with his booty,
and actually did dispose of large share of
it to the firm in Minneapolis, as well as of the
remainder to firm in Dubuque
But in process Of time, the New York
creditors heard Of each others success in
trading largely with Daniel Emerson, and the
numbers of them thus feeced, excited their
alarm. Mr. Hanford started west for infor-
nation, and having anxiously explored the
books OF the st. Louis gas company, reluct-
antly concluded that the suggestive name of
Daniel Emerson was not in all those books.
Alter further satisfactory information, he re-
turned to New York and made affidavit be-
fore Justice WEIGH there, of Emerson's base
ness. With this document, Judge Elisha S.
Capron, one of the judges in the Burdell and
Cunni! CHAM case, arrived in St. Louis on the
10th OF September last. Having sworn to it
before justice P. w. tombstone he rece we'd
warrant for Emerson's arrest which he left
with Messrs Manning & Kenworthy. lie
had been to Minneapolis, and after in vain
following in the fugitive's track, learned that
his family was in St. Louis, and SO took the
step just named.
Emersons son of fourteen years was at
Minneapolis, and before leaving that place for
ST. Louis, the witty judge adopted the fol-
lowing stratagem to find Mrs. Emerson. He
mailed note to her, stating that her son
was very sick, and that he, S. Capron, wish
ed to meet her on his account at the Monroe
house, naming the date. When the time ar
rived, the judge was not at the Monroe
house, but Mr.. Kenworthy was, and heard
the lady inquire for Mr. Capron. Having
learned that Mr.. Capron was of New York,
she left, and was followed to her two story
brick on the west side of Fourteenth street
near Franklin avenue.
This house was thenccforward constantly
and closely watched. On Saturday night
last at dusk, and not until then, gentleman
realizing the description of Emerson arrived
at the house. He entered and did not ap-
pear during that night, Sunday and Sunday
night, nor until about nine o'clock yesterday
morning. He was then seen to approach
window and look into the street. Manning,
Kenworth and deputy, Eaves, raped at the
door. After some moments, during which
rapid footsteps were heard, they were adj
united. The house had been so surrounded
that Emerson's escape by egress was impos-
sible. Mrs. Emerson said that her husband
was not in. The whole house was searched,
and he was not found. When at length de-
sccnding to the lower hall, key was observ-
ed in the small door of closet beneath the
stairs. Mrs. Emerson instantly went to it
and took it out, and refused to give it up. A
locksmith was called who fitted kew to the
door, and it was opened Coiled inside the
lowest stair, in the remotest corner. covered
the quaking form of Daniel Emerson! The
wife was plunged into an agony of grief. The
youthful son was also overwhelmed with con-
sternation. The wretched husband and faith
er at length came pale and desperate from
his hiding place-a finely formed, hale and
vigorous man. He was taken from his fami-
ly and elegantly furnished home, and at p.
NJ. was on the Ohio and Mississippi railroad,
in company with Mr.. Manning, and expo
liceman John Paul De Jurley, bound for New
York city.
We should state that prior to the arrest
the requisition of the governor of the state of
New ork had been answered by the exec,l-
tive OF our state on whose warrant Elne son
was arrested.
Mrs. Emerson states that her husband was
in the city on the morning of her call at the
Monroe House, and left on the next morning
from Misrepresentation caused by the name of
"Mr. Capron, from N. Y.'
High praise is evidently due to the police
detectives Messrs. Manning and Kentworth
On this, as on other occasions-somc of them
Of a nature forbidding publication-they have
acquitted themselves admirably. This, with
other instances, prove that their office is a
public benefit, and that they merit, as they
possess, the confidence of the community.