The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-09-14

EXTRAORDINARY SwINDLE-FUiesn Young
Ladies Robbsd.-One of the most remark
able cases of swindling which has been
perpetrated for a long time came TO light
in New York on Wednesday evening, in
which it appears that as alleged, fifteen
young ladies Of Philadelphia were duped
by a person named johnson. alias Viii
liams, who, under the pretence of hiring
teachers of music in Southern families.
managed to get them to New York, and
then decamped with about one hundred
and fifty dollars Of their money and much
Of their baggage, amounting in value to
between four and FIVE thousand dollars
The Tribune has the following history OF
this extraordinary swindle:
About a week or two ago Williams, in
serted or caused 10 be inserted in the Phil
ade!phia papers, an advertisement calling
for fifteen young ladies to 90 South, and
there engage in private families for the
purpose Of giving Instructions on the
piano-forte. None were to apply unless
good musicians. and able to bring the best
Recommendation. \ high salary was Of
fercd. and the advertiser seemedvcry desi-
rous Of obtaining those only whose charac-
ter was beyond rcproach. His rooms were
literally besiered, and several days were
occupied in making selections from the
various applicants of those whom he deem
ed best qualified to till the positions. At
last the fifteen young ladies were selected.
/ and were instructed by Williams to make
/ immediate preparations for their departure
/ southwark.
At length all was ready, and on Tues
/ day afternoon, the party, who had by this
time, become well acquainted with each
/ other. started for New York, under escort
Of Williams, whom they looked upon a.
benefactor They reached here in the
evening and were disposed Of by Williams
at the various hotels. Eight were con-
Quoted to the Howard House, two to the
Aston House, hut where the remainder
were taken has not yet transpired.
The young ladies were told that they
would not need their trunks. and Williams
took charge Of all the luggage, sending il
10 the Stevens House. where he himself
put up, registering his name rs II. j.
johnson. Yesterday morning, Williams
visited the eight young ladies al the How
ard, and told them to be in readiness to
start by the steamer at 4 o'clock, Z. NJ
lie said that he should not be able TO see
them again until they started, as he had
to arrange his bank account, and see to
the fixing up Of some private papers
Upon first setting off he made them pay
their own fare on the cars, but told them
he should pay half their fare on the steam.
er. From those at the Howard. he col.
lected fifteen dollars each. which he said
was half the fare, and then left them 10
be sure and be ready. At the appointed
time the eight ladies were all ready, but
Williams did not make his appearance
nor have they seen anything of him since
At dark they became alarmed, and told
the landlord of their case. Search was
made for their trunks, but they could moi
be found. and then word was sent to tn,
police Detective Slowey repaired to tn,
Howard, and after obtaining all the par
ticulars possible. went in search of vii
Hams. but met with no success. The two
Young ladies who went to the Astor coulC
not be found. Upon further search, Slow
cy found thirteen trunks at the Stevens
House, which were identified by some o
those at the Howard as their property
% Two trunks, containing dresses and othe
property 10 the value Of 81. 100, were gone
The whereabouts Of the other youn,
! ladies could not be ascertained by the OF
iicer. and no trace of tie mean swindle
could be got at. johnson. alias Williams
= is a man OF pleasing address, five feet 81,
I inches in height, light complexion, brown
? hair, moustache and whiskers, and has az
effeminate manner Of speaking.
johnson represented that he owned
7 large plantation in Alabama, and over on,
/ | hundred slaves.