The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-06-01


manner.
"Pooh! poohp said the Mexican agent,
ssthat's not euough-make it SCOT all
comes out of my government"
Stebbns made it $500.
But all this time Stebbins had not seen
the sign of his munifcent guests money.
His Indebtedness for wines and suppers
was piled up to fifteen hundred dollars.
In addition to this he had succeeded In
borrowing seven hundred dollars in cash
from his host, on the strength of a thirty
thousand dollar farm he owned in New
Jersey, and forty thousand dollars in gold
deposited in the East River National
Bank.
One beautiful morning, about two
weeks bygone, landlord Stebblns arose
from his luxurious couch in his own host
lery, and went straight to the rooms of
the agent of the Mexican government,
for his heart was troubled within) deter
mined to insist on the immediate liqui-
dation of his claim. Alas the chambers
were vacant. Mr.. and Mrs. Agent had
nystcriously disappeared The cunning
of diligent detective traced them to Jer-
sey City.
Some additional facts were learned yes
tcrday from Mr.. Sloan, Of this city, who
was also 'sold" to some extent by this ad-
venturer. Mr.. Sloan states that he was
formerly employed in Mayor Gunther's
Office, but he became acquainted with
this bogus General" Coolbaugh, being
referred to him by one or both the mem
bers of the firm of Messrs. Brown and
Chatfeld, lawyers of this city, who do not
appear to have suspected at that time but
that Coolbaugh was all he represented
himself to be; Coolbaugh made essential
ly the same representations to Mr.. Sloan;
that is, that he was general of the Mex
can liberal army, and engaged him for his
secretary, promising him also the commits
sion of first lieutenant On his staff when
they should get to Mexico Coolbaugh
had on a Mexican generals uniform that
he showed as a part Of his credentials,
and claimed to be on intimate terms with
Ortega Coolbaugh lived in the most ex-
pensive manner on "tic," and borrowed
money; he borrowed great deal of mon
ey from various persons who, doubtless
are very anxious to see him about this
time; Mr.. Sloan states that Mayor Gun
ther was among the invited guests at one
of the grand dinners, and attended with
several other dignitaries, some Of whom,
it appears, took the trouble to inquire eff
fectively about him beforehand, and are
consequently, to-a certain extent, among
the "sold" fraternity. Coolbaugh prom
ised Mr. Stebbins a gold headed cane
that he said he was having made for him,
and told Stebbins that he must get new
coat to wear when he carried it. Mr.
Stebbins, accordingly, procured new
coat, and occasionally, when Coolbaugh
would come down in the morning, he
would say, "Have you got your new coat?
the cane is almost finished" 1t is almost
needless to say that Stebbins never saw
that cane. Coolbaugh found that Sloan
knew some men at Bulls Head, and got
him to introduce him to them. On the
strength Of that and his own representa-
tions, Coolbaugh selected fine team of
carriage mares, at two thousand dollars,
and nice saddle horse at eight hundred
dollars, engaging to buy them. He said
he would send Sloan for them next morn
ing, for he wanted them delivered at
White House, New jersey, where he pre-
tended to own large tract Of land. Next
day Coolbaugh wanted Sloan to go up and
get the horses, and pay for them with
some papers he showed, but Sloan not Ii
king the appearance of The papers dcclin-
ed to do So Sloan says Coolbaugh oh
tanned from man named Redpath, living
in Eighth avenue, all the money he lad,
and his wife's money too; that he engaged
to buy of him large tract of land in
Hamilton County. giving him for it six
thousand dcliars in bogus bills of ex-
change. another man by the name Of
uo:nstock, down town, is mentioned as
victim. There was another man at the
hotel known as Captain" to whom Cool
baugh promised the control of large line
of steamers that he pretended he was
soon to establish between some Mexican
port and some port on the Orinoco river
Mr.. Sloan claims to have first suspected
that Coolbaugh was an imposter, and told
Stebbins he had better collect his BILL
He did SO, and Coolbaugh sat down
wrote an order on General Ortega, gave
it to Sloan, and told him to go up and
get the money. When Stebbins left the
room, however. Coolbaugh took the order
back. Sometimes Sloan would suggest
that his finances were going on
loosely, and he better settle up ALL
round, when Coolbaugh would say, "WelI,
II III send for my Mexican gold to- morrow"
There were always plenty of people who
had heard of the General" waiting in
the bar-room to ask his advice about emf
grating to Mexico or other subjects. He
had quantity Of bogus bills of exchange,
With names printed on them by means of
uch type as is sold on the street corners
or marking linen. Dir. Sloan considers
himself sufficiently victimized, as he lost
good position Of railroad conductor that
le was about to take, aud never got any
Il