The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-05-10
HEAVY GOLD DUST SWISDLE.

a respectable Broker and three Or
fur others arrested far the Slcindle-
a singular conspiracy.
Mr.. James VI Taylor, well-known bro
ker, doing business at the corner of Chat
ham street and New Bowery, was sitting
in his Office on the afternoon of the 10Th
ult, when three men entered, and with an
air Of mystery craved private interview
NJ Taylor retired TO bis little rear office,
when one Of the men produced note Of
introduction from Mr.. H., with whom Mr..
Taylor was well acquainted. They then
stated thas they Lad in their possession a
large quantity of gold dust, which had been
won o, gambling table from some return
et Californians; that they were very anz-
ious to dispose Of it. as they would be
obliged to leave town immediatel y, and had
applied to Nr IL. ior that purpose. but he
not having the ready money TO spare, had
advised them to call on him, (Taylor)
assuring them that they could trust him.
Mr. Taylor, Of course, had no objection
to turning an honest penny in the way Of
business, and The negotiation was commenc-
ed The men stated that they had the dust
in a carpet bag a few blocks off, that it
amounted to seventeen or eighteen pounds,
was worth at least sixteen dollars per ounce,
but they were willing to sell it for fourteen
dollars, allowing the buyer q handsome
profit. Mr. Taylor finally arranged to
meet the men at the Western House, at the
corner of Broome street and the BOwery,
in the evening He found them waiting
for him, and accompanied them TO lagar
bier saloon in Forsyth street, near Hester.
where they retired to a private room, and
the dust was produced. It was contained
in handsome box, placed in carpet bag
Mr.. Taylor said he wanted a sample to have
assayed, and one Of the men thrust in his
hand into the box and apparently drew
thence handful of dust, which he rolled
up in paper and gave TO Mr.. Taylor
The hoy was then weighed carefully tied
up. sealed, and restored to the carpet bag.
The next pight Mr. Taylor having had the
specimen a,sayed and found to be pure, re-
turned to the lager bier saloon, and concIu-
ded the negotiation. agreeing to pay tor the
dust at the rate Of Sl2 per ounce. He then
requested the men to bring the dust to his
p Office the following day, but they declined
to DO 50, adding that they had good reasons
FOR avoiding publicity in the matter. Fl
nalIv, Mr.. Taylor obtained the necessary
funds-about $4,000 - paid for the dust
: and started for his Office with the carpe
p BAG in his hand Two of the men wen
:, on ahead Of him to sec that the way wa
u clear
It On the way to his office Mr.. Taylor wa
e stopped in the street by tall man wearin!
d policeman's coat, who displayed a shield
d and said to him, Mr.. Taylor, | know al
c about this that gold dust is queer, (stol
{. en-. and I've been watching for it a lon!
1i time ! want you TO understand that
E. don't belong to any id Mayors squad
'e | came from the corner of BroOme and Eli
g streets, and am going to make thousan
dollars out of that bag and its contents =
ri You'll have TO 90 with me- Nr. IaylC
as naturally began to think lie had got into
Is bad scrape. lie had bought the dust
II strange men, at night. and on running ov'
no the circumstances he could not help thlnl
In ING they would tel against him. On II
n way towards station-house the officer I'M
rs mated that he might avoid exposure by Sc
nj ting with him, and finally offered to let HI
lst 90 for thousand dollars, which he 81
nd was the amount of the reward for &
recovery Of the dust Mr. Taylor at ia
&C. agreed to pay him $500. and the office
1' took the money and left.
III. ljr. Taylor then fastened to his oth'
nd and upon examining bis dearly boug
NC treasure. was astonished to find that it &C
the sisted entirely of brass filings and was wo'
ter absolutely nothing.
Ter A day or two after this occurrence
ser Young man nau ed Bradley, former 5 n Gle
for Mr.. H., called on Deputy SupeInte'
tne ent Carpenter detailed the circumstance.
1ed tho swindle, aud asked for admission TO
ret out the perpetrators. Detectives J
the II. McElroy and Thos. Houston, were
lust tailed to that duty. They first called NJ
.sed Mr.. TAYLOR. and obtained from him
me and frank statement of the affair, with
description Of the parties engaged. AmC
them they recognized one Charley /
EN- elf" a wcll-knowu rogue, who has ser
a." term in one OF the penal institutions,
ears has been long and unfayorably known
,cel the police They scertained Ratcil
ntly whereabouts, and then busted themsel
v with plans to trap his confederates. Me
seri- while, another detective who heard 50
the thing of the affair arrested RatclItt pre-
e of turely. but as there was not suthc
pur- evidence to hold him, Justice Kelly or
Rail dered his discharge. This came I
l TO thwarting the plans of the police. At
aph- McElroy made the acquaintance OF
were keeper, who told him of an old man dr
ed like clergyman, who came in one II
gain and sat down on the bar carpet bag,
buy of which quantity of yellow dust rat'
ichi- This dust be had gathered up, supposlr
ount to be gold, bu, had afterwards learned
road il was brsss After diligent search. Nj
,man rov found this man at low house IN /
new street. His name Is Billinger. I'll
was about 50 years of age, and bears str
: he resemblance TO the Jack Of Spades.
nand officer took the old man into custody,
: en- after laboring with him all night, succ
loss. in winning his confidence. He ackr
rnei. edged that he had taken part in the swil
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