Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-12-03
A Confidence Man.

The largest operator in the confidence line
who has of late made this vicinity the scene OF
his exploits, is a man calling himself, (while
here) l.. Schlessinger, who was establishing
agencies for the sale of Platina Pointed Gutta
Percha Pens. His mode of operating here was
peculiar and had the merit of originality.
He had in some way learned, probably from
marks upon boxes, or packages, that Messrs.
Woods d Pew, Druggists of this place, had pur-
chased goods ofthe firm of McKesson& & Robbins,
of New York, and he first introduced himself to
Woods d Pew brOther-in-law of Mr.. Nc
Kesson, and exhibited card of recommendation
with the signature (forged probably of McKes-
son d Robbins, which disarmed Messrs Woods
d Pew of all suspicion. He stated that he wish
ed to sell pens of an extraordinary good quality,
| (and exhibited Samples which We're really good }
the price of which was three dollars per gross.
The ordinary price of steel pens being only from
thirty to seventy-five cents per gross; as an in
ducement to purchase his three dollar pens, he
stated that he would furnish all the wrapping
paper which Woods d Pew would want for a
year, free of charge, on each sheet of paper to
be printed an advertisement of the pen. He said
that he never advertised in the papers, and took
this method to advertise, and therefore the more
paper he could dispose of in this way, the better
| Messrs. Woods d Pew purchased fifteen gross
of pens, paying him forty-tive dollars and waited
patiently for the paper which was to arrive in
two or three days, it being stored in Cleveland.
But the paper did not come, and few days after
they learned from travelling friend that the
fellow had been arrested and imprisoned in
Chambersburg, Pa, for playing the same game,
and his bail fixed at 81 400 90. After he had
been confined day or two, he paid the sheriff
the ST 400 90 and came directly to this State,
and commenced operations.
While here, at his request, Woods & Pew
gave him half dozen of their cards. On the
back of one ofthem he wrote a recommendation
of himselfand his pens, affixed their signature
and started for the east and north part of the
county, and used that with merchants who
were acquainted with Woods d Pew. In this
way he swindled different persons out of vari-
GUS amounts from $50 to 800, H H. Mason of
Miles, r. G. Stewart of Vienna, A. Chew of
Brookfeld, Andrews d Finney of Johnston, ].
7. Homer of Gustavns, and probably many
other merchants in this vicinity. In Colum-
biana county he played the same game, with
the same success. 1t is probable he CLEANED
from this and the adjoining counties, three or
four thousand dollars.
Mr.. Pew and Constable Brooks got on his
track in Ashtabula county last week, and he
escaped from them, by rare good luck, and they
returned home. On Thursday they learned
that he was arrested at Munson, Geauga eOun-
ty, when they Immediately went to that place
for him; on their arrival there, they found he
had been committed, but was making arrange
ments to obtain his release; but learning that if
he escaped them, he wCuld again be Immediate
ly arrested, he concluded it wouldn't pay"
and was lodged in the Chardon Jail.
Mr.. Pew returned Saturday evening, but Of
fcer Brooks remained to see the denouement.
Warren Chronicle