The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-24
Arrest OF an Accomplished Swins,ler.


II. Berry was the surgeon of both parties.
Arrest OF an Accomplished Swint.ler.
HIS OPERATIONS IN NEW YORK, BOSTON AND PHILA-
DBLPHIA-AN INTERESTING CASE OF DETECT ;E IN
GENUITY.
interesting OF detective ingenuity, involving the
arrest of an accomplished swnder and confidence man,
has just 10 light j. W. Watson aas j. c. Davis
taken into custody Friday a by detsclive officer
Robert Boyer under the following interesting circum
stances, related by the detective hmseIn the early
part OF last November Mr. Bowyer stopping at tho
Grard House, Philadelphia, he learned that person
named W. Watson bosrder in the establishment had
committed an Ingenious larceny of promssory notes. and
fed from the city with the punder under the following
bad been advertising "hs desire
10 purcbase first rate business paper advantageous
terms" In answer TO his advertisement, a merchant
named r. b. Sbeo c,'led upon him with couple Of FIRST
rate notes. worth at least $500 for the purpose of having
the converted into cash Watson asked the merchant
step up stairs into his bedroom, where upon round
table, in the centre of the apartment, displayed
large rumber ~ noss anc busnsss documents with
view 10 deceive the unwTy. Watson stated that he
purchasug notes for very extensive house in New York
and ha; all the the table Dad ben bought within
few days. All these PREPARATIONS had been got mp by
Watson for the purpose Of carrying cut tho confidence
fully exem'nfd ard bargain concluded between the
parties Walton always kept his fuu Is In tho large iron
OF the hotel for fear thieves ard burglars he
therefore found IL ucoesssry 70 leave the room for few
nOeng IN orfer 70 procure Mr. Shce the amount agreed
q.
careless manner asked Sir shcc what kind Of money
be would likc--TSp2r or god2 He had plenty Of both,
and oould, tLcre'oTc, accommodate the gentleman.
sDee did not ~ first ike The idea or Wason's
LEAVING the without having paid for the
uo,e lie bad just pvt into h pocket bu the apparently
frank ard generous nature OF the fellow completely de
Cevcd the r1eIchsnt Watson wen, do.n slirs bi, not
to the lote safe he went tho T. brokers'
oire sid the notes ~ liberal discount and started off
fer New YORK ia the eycsHg train. Mr. Shec after wat
'cg abtut ter fifteen minutes begnn grow somewhat
suspicious. wheu bali hour had elapsed he could
Gear the suspene no longer and accordingly he went
tCwn stairs 20 the Office and made dligen inquiries
tho whereabouts Watson and his character generally
Whereabouts, character or means, but they fclt
quite confident tha, he never hal any funds 10
thor fGfe. Nr Hhce waited for over an hour at
tho Office, hoping every minute b. gee the smiling
face Of bis friend Watson, but he doomed 20 de-
appointment The following day be accidentally learned
al TIE circumstances ntpndirg the sale OF the notes
at iLe brokers' opposite the Girard House, which tho
roughly convLced him Of the true character OF his guon
dam friend. a FUN aud accurate DESCRIPTION Of Watson
given Mt BoDyer. that he could be the look
cut icr him in New York The detective returned I,
New York and Immediately male dligont Inquiries
are b means naiterng 10 the gentlemal) bn be
unable 10 the path OF The fggve Days and weeks
up despair, wbonhc accidentally mott the hong sought for
object Of his search in broadway, Cortandt street
hc FOL owed him cautiously from one stree, TO another,
Until the latter the foot Of Barclay and took
the Erry boat for Hoboken He then traced him " his
oakg pace found ha, he had been stopping there for
several weels and then retraceI his steps " Seg
York fer the purpose Of taking the necessary seps
arrest Of the accused The authorities IN Pladel ,ha
were ,cieeraphed TO in relation TO the matter, and nmc
disely measures were taken 10 have Watson brought
10 that city. The neotssary papers Of extradion
obtained from The executives Of and New Jr
sey, and policeman 10 New York with the
same Gu Friday morning last Mr. Bowyer acconpa 1ied
by officer Calahe of Phlsdepb proceeded 10 Hoboken
resting in time to have bm conveyed TO Philadelphia by
The ii ocicck train. Jpon searching the prisoner about
to IN cash and several valuable articles ofjcwcry were
found upon his person The Iewolry, was subsequently,
asccranod bal been obtained from Boston merchant by
means oi fnlse preiences. day or two after the
occurrence o. the event just narrated. kr Bo~yer
cevcd elegrarbc despatch from the Office Of the Chief
OF focc in Boston, requesting him 10 be on The look out
merchants in that city by means Of bogus checks, p1r
porting tave been drawn by j. c Davis Upon rea1ng
hc description ofihe confidence man the detective
ccrvinced that none ether than his friend Watson
The description compared exactly with his appsarsuce
but 20 make doubly sure Mr. Bowyer proceed
ed 10 lobokon and searched Nafsons room the hotel
whore he boarding, ard there cure epourb the evil
dence ~ The Identity complete Several bills for gopis
bought the ofJ c. Davis and worthless checks ani
premisrory notes puortng to bave been signed by the
person were discovered among ws,son's effects.
Anong the documents found a drawD by Gibbs
Dewey favor Of Edward Aiien for $500 another,
dated "Boson, January 90 1855 IN favor Of C. Davis
purportbg 10 have been drawn by Jas. y Dane and
! & mack purportirg have been signed by C. witt
more, ucsurer cf the Boston and Mane opbdry immei
afly ~ ssr gssltg s 6scoyery Mr. powyer ,ciegraphed
teshrf IN 20 have Watson held fugitive from Bos.
ton but before the desrach was received Watson had
iTtfhith Fhi ha was thcn NJ hbeffy. tie was |
econ Afterwards arrested. however, and committed
% prSon 10 await the action OF the authorities In
rosion, who are somewhat anxious 10 get hold Of |
The Ttisorer. Since the above facts have tran. |
sPred, " has been escersaned that within th, past
tNo years Watson has obtained money forged paper
very large amount About twelve years sgo he was
rested on charge Of forging check Col rompkns, OF
this city Powyer has known him for a number OF years
and has Always watched him cioeeiy IL thoee parties
upon whom forgeres have been committed c her IN the
nams OF Watson or navis would communicate With Nc L
Bwyer, a. his detective police agency, No i95 Broad
way. they may probably hear OF something 10 their at
vantage, aud the ends Of justice at ono and the
game uue. when arrested the second time, Watson |
cvinccd much trcridation, s,d offered 10 DO all in hs
rowtrto quantity Of iewery which he had
snlfy obtained possession Of 10 is He will be
takento Boston 20 fay 10 morrow, 20 ths va
rious charges Of swndng there preferred against him
supertor Court.