The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-10
Attempted SWIndIing--sA Bold ana In
EeniOus Scheme 10 DefrRud.
Al,


A most ingeniously contrived scheme to
defrsud Chicago banker out of the mod
est sum of $4,000 was discovered on Fri
dsy night happily before the intended vic
tim had been sold. About 10 o'clock in
the evening, Mr.. Henry Greenebsum, the
banker, was called out of the Opera House
by one OF his clerks, and introduced to 8
man seated in q carriage at the door, and
attired in the full costume o. 8 Major Gen.
eral. The visitor was very polite, afAble
gentleman, evidently at esse with himself
and determined to be so with sll the world.
He had beent TO the residence of Mr.. Greene
baum, and was directed to the Opera House.
He was on the way to St. LOUIS, and brought
letter of introduction from Hon. VIM. b.
Ogden, which read IS follows:
FRIDAY EVENING, May 8, 1865.
HHNRY GREENEBAUM, Bso:
Bfv dear sir take pleasure in making
you acquainted with my friend Msj. Gen
W. s. Hancock, of the U. s. Army. The
General is on his way to st. Louis In con-
nection with the business of his new corps.
He wishes to complete some banking busl-
ness before he leaves in the morning, and
have recommended your house TO him.
I presume you are acquainted with his
father-in.law, Jay Cooke, Esq of Phils-
delphis. ANY fsvOrs you may see fit todo
for him will be considered as personal ts-
vor to me.
Yours respectfully obedient servant
WIN. B. OGDEN.
Henry Greenebsum.
Mr.. GreeneL sum read the letter, and
blsndiy asked what he could do to serve
his distinguished visitor. The reply was
that he wanted two thousand dollars, and
would draw on Jay Cooke for the amount.
The bankers olfsctories immediately per-
ceived the presence of sdiminutive rodent;
Mr.. ogden was not in the habit of doing
business with him, and he was rather sus-
picious that It was not the signature of the
Railway King. Furthermore, he had
dim impression that Mr.. Ogden was not in
the city. He informed his visitor that he
could not then accommodate him, but
would meet him at his bank in the morn
ing at any hour he chose to name. The
gentleman was satisfied, and named K
o'clock, remsrking that he must 60 to st.
Louis on the morning train, but that the
Superintendent cf the road had promised
to wait an hour for him should that be ne
cessEry. He then left, stating that he was
the guest of Mr.. Ogden.
Mr.. Greenebaum then went lack TO the
Opera, and mentioned the Circumstance to
several gentlemen, some Of whom confirm
ed his suspicious by sverring that Mr..
Ogden was net in the city, and of course
could not have dated the letter on tbs'
evening. He then went in search of de-
tective, intending TO have the "Genefsl"
arrested Gon cal" in the morning, but
those gentlemen had all disguised them
selves SO effsctuslly mot in liquor, but in
policeman's CLOTH invisible blue ') that
not one of them could be found. Under
these circumstances, Mr.. Gree nebsum did
not think it would pay to be at the bank
at the early hour named. When the bank
was opened on Saturday morning, bogus
telegram was found under the door, which
read as follows: Yes, for any amount he
may require. Jay Cooke"
The fellow is apparently about As years
of age, full face, dark eyes and hair, and
good sized side whiskers. He had evidently
coneocted thescheme well and had prepared
for contingencies. Just before our paper
went to press on Saturday morning par
agraph was handed into the Office, stating
that Major General Hancock and wife,
with two members of his staff had arrived
in the city The publication of the para
graph WAS doubtless intended to take the
edge from any suspicious that might be
entertained on the part of Mr.. Greenebsum,
and also to pave the way for other opera
tions here or elsewhere. The present scheme
failed; it is, however, great pity that the
scoundrel was not secured.