The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-02


Last night, one of the meanest and most con-
temptible swindles, on the part of man named
Henry Johnson alias c. c. Williams, was made
known at the Detective Office, police headquar-
fifteen young ladies belonging to the city of Phila-
delphia About week or two ago, Williams in
serted or caused to be inserted in the Philadelphia
papers, advertisement calling for fifteen young
ladies to go 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 recommends
tons. A high salary offered, and the adverti-
ser seemed very DESTROYS of obtaining those only
whose character was beyond reproach.
His rooms atthe hotel were literally beseged, and
several days were occupied in making selections
from the various applicants of those whom be
deemed best qualified to fill the positions At last
the fifteen young ladies selected, and were in
structed by Williams to make immediate prepare
tions for their departure southwark tits needless
to recount with what haste the chosen few set about
preparing to leave home and enter upon new
sphere of usefulness. Trunks were packed, and
paintings drawings and other works of art
packed up to be exhibited to their new patrons in
accor dance with the instructions of Williams.
AT length all was ready, and Tuesday after
noon 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
benefactor. They reached here in the even
ing, and were disposed of by Williams at the vari.
Gus hotels. Eight were conducted to the Howard
House, two to the Astor House, but where the re-
mainder taken has not yet transpired.
The young ladies told that they would not
need their trunks, and Williams took charge of all
the luggage, sending it to the Stevens House. where
he himself put up, registering his name as II. J.
johnson.
Yesterday morning, Williams visited the eight
young ladies at the Howard, and told them to be in
readiness to start by steamer at four o'clock, p NJ
He 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 pr-
vate papers.
Upon first setting off he made them paw their own
fare on the cars, but told them he should pay half
their fare on the steamer. From those of the How
ard he collected SIS, which he said was half the
fare and then left them telling them to be and
be ready.
At the appointed time the eight ladies were all
ready; but still Williams did not make his appear
ance nor have they anything of him since.
AT dark they became alarmed, and told the pro-
prietor of the house of their Search was made
for their trunks, but they could not be found and
then word was sent to the police Detective Slowey
repaired to the Howard, and after obtaining all
the particulars possible, went in search of Williams
but met with no success. The two young ladies
who went to the Astor could not be found. Upon
further Search Slowey found thirteen trunks at the
Stevens House, which were identified by some of
those at the Howard as their property.
Two trunks, containing dresses and other prop
erty to the value of 81 100, were gone.
The whereabouts of the other young ladies could
not be ascertained by the officer, and no trace of
the mean swindler could be got at. johnson, alias
Williams, is of pleasing address, 5 feet in
ches in hight, light complexion, brown hair, mus
tache, and whiskers, and has etfeminate manner
of speaking.
The girls at the Howard were last night in high
gee, and nearly all of them thought they had got
off cheap. The proprietor of the Howard, upon
learning the state of the told the young ladies
that the house at their command for two or
three days, and he furthermore told them that he
would try and have them sent home, as the de-
mands of the swindler had depleted their purses.