Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-02-02
Major F. Alton Hheelock.

or this individual, who Is now SUPPOSED to be In
this city or vicinity, the Plsceryile correspondent
of the Alta California, writing under date of Janu.
airy 9th, says: The notorious confidence man.
and thief Major Alton F., isbecoming quite az well
known In this region as he has been In your city,
and that he muintains his reputation cannot be
questioned He made the tour of the mountains
last summer, in fine style, accompanied by his
wife, ~ the citizens Of Folsom furnishing his ont
ct. His victims along the route were very numer-
ous, and they generally wrapped themselves mp In
the consolation that they escaped cheap enough, as
they would know him the next time. How well
they did know him we win let the sequel show.
The Major arrived In this city early last week, en-
route to Virginia City, and took rooms at q hotel
up town, and booked his name as Mr.. Freddy,
representing himself as San Francisco detective,
which Information was impaired to the landlord IN
confidence. Remaining here very privately four
days, until he had spotted his victim, he next
turns mp at Blakely's Hotel, four miles east of
here, on The Carson road representing TO Blakely
that he was the agent of the Fast Freight line,
etc, and obtained of him three hundred dollar
horse, as he was very DESTROYS OF reaching q GER
tam point thar day, before the stages overlook
him, and with but little delay was mounted and
of; and now comes the best thing of the season.
In the vicinity of Brockliss Bridge the Major
overlook "a solitary horseman," "sol." p; every
one who has Travelled this route by stage knows
sol" and Will votich for his knowing how to Keep
hotel No one ever gets mp from his supper
table hungry. and no one goes to bed hungry for
lack Of money to pay. He is a clever gentleman,
has plenty Of friends and his faults are not more
numerous than are attributed to mankind general
ly. But "Sol." does prfte himself on being very
sharp; will tell you how "only once he WINS taken
in" by Cape Cooler, since which time he has
kept his eye on the register for Cape Cod people.
When Wheelock made his raid last summer he did
Il ~ Ntaafa h0A
been played on him, and II tell you, gentlemen,
the worst of it was, 1t was played on Kentuck-
ian by a Cape Coder!" but "only once" that was
the RitindtMn for 'Sol" He had hiseye teeth cut
once for all With this description Of our friends
peculiarities, we return to him
After passing the usual salutations, and ms both
were grutifed to meet-as II was somewhat lone.
ly traveling-the conversation was lively anu IN.
teresting. "Sol" In due time introduced himself
and the Major" with equal frankness, gave his
name as Holiday and In answer to the question
"if he was brother Of Ben promptly answer
ed that "he ought to be, as they were both
nurscd in the same mothers arms" "Sol was
delighted TO meet the brother of his old friend"
and cordially extended his hand which was met
by equal cordiality The time passed pleasantly.
At each waysde Inn their acquaintance was new
~ pledged, md regrets expressed that they must
part so soon, us pressing business engagements
required the Majors presence on the other side Of
the mountains.
Arriving at soils" Hotel at an early hour in
the evening, new idea seemed to develop itself
The Major" said rs he was not used TO the sad
die and was very tired, he Ind concluded TO leave
his fayorite horse-he knew he would be well
cared for there-get supper, and go up by stage,
as they would soon be along. That sol" gave
new instructions to the cook for that supper looks
quite probablc The Major" praised the sup
pcr-"Sol" would not think Of taking pay from
him At this juncturc the Major took sol aside /;
said he was afrnid of getting short of funds before
his return, and If lie would obligc him with fifty
dollars it would relieve his anxiety on that score.
Alas for the memory of the Cape Cooler Soils
hand WAS in his pocket instantcr, and drew forth
three twcnties, thrust them into the Majors peck.
ct with "never mind the change; glad to accom-.
modate you :" and with hearty goodbye the
coach rolled off, but not until the driver had been
informed cOntidentially who his new passenger
was. In the meantime Blakely had smelt mice,
and started in pursuit of his horse. Arriving at
Soils the next day, he stopped to make inquiries,
describing his man very accurately. On going to
the stable, Blakcly recognized his horse and I'M
parted the astounding intelligence to sol thut he
had been taken in and done for by F. Alton
Wheclock, the confidence man md thief
To describe SolS "pheelinks" at this discovery,
will not attempt. 1t is impossible to do the
subject justice :" but he is satisfied that the fel
low is from Cape Cod aud does not give thought
to the three twentics as against his ('ols reputa-
ton, which, for sharpness, he considers is below