Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-04-09


Extensive Swindle I'm Cincinnnti-
A Flash Business Firm Depart
q for Canada. ~ s nlsjsq s
The firm of Bidwell &c Co., No. 45 Third
street, who have carried on an extensive
commission business for several months gave
up the ghost night before last, and left for
Canada, after swindling every body they
could to the full amount of their credit
The career of the firm is given at length by
the Cincinnati papers: ~ r,,,s,cl s-Y
The firm Of "Bidwell & Co." was sup
posed to consist of w. Austin Bidwell and
VIM. Kibbe. Recent occurrences have, how
ever, developed the fact that there was an
other partner-a woman of flashy dress and
manners, who acted an important part I'M
the business Of the concern. But the firm of
Bidwell d Co. is now defunct, and their
modest sign overhangs door which the
law has locked most effectually. The firm
opened their 80 called Commission store I'm
December last; since that time, up to the
very hour Of their flight, they have carried
on one of the most extensive swindling,
thieving enterprises ever yet developed in
this city. The facts known lead TO sur
misses. that the firm of Bidwell d Co., was
connected with q gang OF swindlers whose
operations were carried on East and West
en- most extensive scale. .sr5's9fa % y I'll |
With the assistance Of accomplices this
| firm has been enabled to defraud business
people, not only of this city, but of New
| York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Springfield,
Dayton, &c. Obtaining goods under false
pretenses seems to have been the grand
"lay" of these gentlemen. They managed
their affairs with consummate ability, reg
ulating every thing with view to master
stroke on a certain day;;when, with all their
gains in available shape, they should be
able to bid goOd-by to so reInunerative a
scene Of operations as Cincinnati. That
day came last Wednesday. Letters Of ex-
postulation,i inquiry and threatening were
pouring in upon them from their victimized
customers; drafts against them for thous-
ands had been sent to our banks, and pro-
tested; their scheme of rascality had paid
them WELL and they were determined that
the finishing touch should be laid on i'm
mediately. While conducting their opera
tions of rascality here, under the cloak OF
a business, Bidwell 81 Co. was striving hard
by all the tricks of trade, to win the conf
dence of certain business men. Mr.. w.
Austin Bidwell has been particularly atten-
tive to the jewellers, whose temptingiy dis
played wares adorn Fourth street. He had
called upon them frequently-examined
admired, priced and never purchased arti-
cles from them. Accordingly at about s
o'clock night before last, Mr.. w. Austin
Bidwell called upon Mr.. VIM. Wilson Nc
Grew, and after an examination of his ele-
giant stock selected two fine watches and a
set of jewelry worth in all about 81 900, the
bill for which was "to be sent around."-
Proceeding thence to the establishment OF
j. Lange d Bro- the admirer of jewelry
obtained in like manner, several fine dia-
monds valued at $1,040. He next visited
Duhmes; here he procured gold watch
and chain valued at $375, and q few min
utes after, at III. p. Elias's, pocketed fine
single diamond ring, worth $40O. His last
stopping place during his trip was at Chas.
Owens, corner of Fourth and Main, where
he selected chronometer watch and chain
and two ladies' watches with diamond set
tings-worth in all, about $1,000. Fortu-
nately for themselves the gentlemen at the
establishment did not care to trust him for
any of their stock, and he was unsuccessful
with them even after urging that his s'wife
would most certainly scold If he did not
take home to her one of those watches that
evening"
The woman represented to be the wife OF
Bidwell, also tried the credit of the firm
Il At the hat and fur store of Williams &
/ Lockwood, this woman. on Saturday last,
selected set of furs worth $107, which she
ordered sent to the Spencer House; the bill
she directed them to send to Bidwell g. Co..
N which was done. In like manner the w0-
\ man swindled w. Dodds & Co, to the
amount of nearly hundred dollars, while
Bidwell was engaged in ordering clothes OF
different merchants--all of which were to
be sent to the store on Third street, We'd
nesday afternoon. Wednesday afternoon
came, and with it busy season at Bidwcll
g. Co.'s, when drays and wagons were be-
ing loaded with goods for shipment to diff
!, ferent points, and when errand boys were
|, arriving with bundles and accompanying
|, bills for aAlr. w. A. Bidwell." The pack
ages were all received, and the boys inform
; ed that the bills would, be paid "next day.
Il The packages contained all articles of wear
ing apparel, selected from the best assort-
! ments In the city. On Wednesday a different
/ scene was presented at "Bidwell & Co.'s, the
house being surrounded by an. assemhlage
]. of thevictimized and enraged gentlemen,
who found, their bird flown and only about
II Among other losers by the affair are, Mr.
I John Bates, proprietorof the building, who
\ has not yet seen his rent, and the proprie-
tors of the, Spencer House, where Bidwel
II was owing about $l37 for board for him.
Il self and female accomplice. 1t is supposed
\ that the two left the city with the intention
OF reaching Canada iatthe earliest possible
moment. ,sEAEs
4 A reward of $500 for Bidwell'sapprehen-
!, sion and the recovery Of his goods has al.
\. ready been offered by Mr.. McGrew; and
we presume that a proportionate reward
will be offered by others. We believe that
the operations here made known are but q
small portion of the rascallyj work of this
accomplished scoundl Il and dhisaceomplices
and that It will soon be found that many
I business houses in this and other cities have
II Suffered losses at his hands. pkf ,i'r
Y lFrom the Quincy. tIll.,, Herald. April ~ g9