Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-09-16


Money and Baggdgo-Ther appearance
at the Hotel.
One of the most remarkable cases Of
swindling which has been porpotrated for
long time came to light last evening, in
which is appears that, as alleged, fifteen
young ladies of Philadelphia were duped
by a pc son named johnson, who, under
the pretense Of hiring them as teachers of
music in Southern families, managed to
get them to this city, and then decamped
with about one hundred and fifty dollars
of their money aud nearly all their bag
gage, amounting in value to between four
and FIVE thousand dollars
The circumstances of the case go to
show that the party who carried out this
swindle had laid his plans admirably, and
so successful was he that several leading
merchants of Philadelphia were also victi-
mized by him. 1t seems that about two
weeks ago an advertisement appeared in
the Philadelphia Ledger stating that Is
young ladies were wanted to go South and
teach music in private families. The
party advertising had also called upon the
firm ofSmith, Woodman & Co., publishers,
No. 609 Chestnut street, who frequently
furnish music teac hers, and stating his
object to them, they at once agreed to pro-
cure the required number, and those an
swering the advertisement were requested
to call upon the above firm The result
of the advertisement as might be expected,
brought very many applications, and the
addresses of the young ladies being furn-
ished johnson, he at once sought an inter-
view with them. Various stories we're re-
lated to them respecting the positions that
were required to be filed, and after several
days some fifteen young ladies were ac-
cepted by johnson. From the fact that
johnson had succeeded in misleading the
above firm, many ofthe friends and parents
were led to suppose that all was as repre-
sented, and they were Immediately fitted
out for the journey. Some six were to be
promised situations in the family of Mr..
Brooks, in Alabama, while others were to
be located on various plantations More
over, they we're each to pay half their traye-
ling expenses, and Tuesday, the Both ult.,
was allotted as the time of departure. Ac-
cordingly, on Tuesday evening the young
ladies were at the railroad depot, and un-
der 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 pay part of their expenses until they
left New York.--They were accordingly
compelled TO pay their own fare to New
York. arl-i
= On their arrival in this city yesterday
morning. eight of them were conducted to
the Howard Hotel Broadway, and the
others to some other hotel their where
abouts not as yet having been been ascer-
tained, 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 go
ing to procure their tickets in the steamer.
Accordingly each of the young ladies
handed him over fifteen dollars, ard say
ing he would return soon, he left. He
proceeded to the office of the hotel and
there succeeded in getting the loan offve
dollars and departed, saying that he would
be back in short time. About 2 o'clock
the proprietors of the hotel received let
ter signed by johnson, stating that he
would not be back until o'clock, owing
to his not being able to arrange his bank
ing papers. One'of the young ladies final
! ly' 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 all the baggage,
with the exception of few trunks. had
been removed, and that johnson had CALI
ed for them.
The fact was accordingly made known
to the proprietor of the Howard 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
Uiade aware of the fact Immediately detail
ed detective Slowey to work up the case,
but up to a late hour last evening he had
obtained no clue to him. 1t is thought
that he had fed the city. He is described
as being a 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 81 900 worth Of
valuables. Last evening they were all
, congregated together at the hotel in the
greatest state of excitement. The pro-
prietor, however, informed them that they
could remain at ease, as his house was open
to them until they could return home.
Several Of their friends from Philadelphia,
who were here in the city, called on them,
having heard of their unfortunate position
and offered them any assistance required.
johnson represented that be owned large
plantation in Alabama aud over one hun
dred slaves.
LArEsT-Since the above was in type,
we learn the sconndrel has been caught
by Chief Of Police Goddard, and Lieuten-
ant Of Police MeHenry. lie was recog-
nized "a Harry 2 I.eslie heretofore tenn