Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-09-03
EXTRAORDINARY SWINDLING OF PHILA
DELPHIA LADIES BY A SHARPER.

Some two weeks ago shrewd sharper al
rived here and called upon some of our mus
dealers, and made representations that he de
sired to procure number of young ladies
teach music in the South. Through the ad
vertising columns of the newspapers ffteel
young ladies were procured.
"Some six were to be promised situation
in the family of Mr.. Brooks, in Alabama
while others were to be located on various
plantations. Moreover they were each to pay
half their travelling expenses, and Tuesday
the Both ult,, was allotted as the tins of de
parture. Accordingly on Tuesday evening
the young ladies were at the railroad depot,
and, under the care of Mr.. johnson, they left
| for New York, intending to take the steamer
! for Alabama yesterday. Soon after they left
/ Philadelphia, the conductor of the train called
for their fare, when johnson refused to pay,
and told them that he did not bear part of
their expenses until they left from New York.
They were accordingly compelled to pay their
own fare to New York. On their arrival in
New York on Wednesday morning, eight of
them were conducted to the Howard Hotel,
Broadway, and the others to some other hotel,
their whereabouts not as yet having been as
certained. Their baggage was all sent to the
Stevens Hotel johnson stating he had en-
gagged rooms for them at that house, but they
being somewhat crowded, they could not be
accommodated until evening. Soon after
breakfast he called upon them at their rooms,
and stated that he would require their portion
of their money, as he was going to procure
their tickets in the steamer.
Accordingly each of the young ladies hand
ed him over fifteen dollars, and, saying lie
would return soon, he left. He proceeded to
the office OF the hotel, and there succeeded in
getting the loan of five dollars, and departed,
saying that he would be back in short time.
About two o'clock the proprietors of the hotel
received letter, signed by Johnson, stating
that he wished them to inform the young la
dies that he would not be back till four clock
owing to his not being able to arrange his
banking papers. One of the young ladies'
finally became suspicious that all was not
right, and proceeded to the Stevens Hotel to
make inquiries about her baggage, when to
her surprise, she found that all the baggage
with the exception of few Of the trunks, had
heen removed, and that Johnson had called
for them. The fact was accordingly made
known to the proprietor of the How ard House,
and upon further investigation no traces of
the whereabouts of Johnson could be learned,
or where he had carried the trunks. Deputy
Superintendent Carpenter being made aware
of the fact, Immediately detailed detective
Slowey to work up the case, but up to late
muir laSt evening, ne Hdu oDtainti no ciue "
him. 1t is thought that he has fled the city.
He is described as being man about five feet
six inches in height, sandy hair, and was
dressed in brown sack coat and check pants.
The trunks belonging to one of the Young
ladies is said to have contained nearly $1,000
worth of valuables. Last evening they were
all congregated together at the hotel in the
greatest state of excitement. The proprietor
however, informed them that they could re
main at ease, as his house was open to them
until they could return home. Johnson rep |
resented that he owned large plantation in
Alabama, and over one hundred negroes.
We learn that the young ladies returned to
last evening. Their baggage
was secured for them at Washington city,
whittier it had been taken under the swind-
Ier's orders by express. The Express Com
pany's agent on learning the facts telegraphed'
On and had the baggage stopped. Johnson
The swnller had taken off the directions, and
put on the name of Mrs. Leslie.
philadelphia Ledger.