The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-03-22
A Great Swindle.

AAuSnSSs OChNCI ~ L cCh, OI w dSlluG-
ton city, Gen. Davis, of New York,
and others, $40, 900, has been made
public. Two young men, George
Allen and l.. r. Metcalfe, of Paris, Il
LIMOS, concocted the villainy. The
former visited Washington city, and
assuming to be Confederate and a
wealthy cotton planter, induced the
firm named to obtain pardon, from
the President. Allen then informed
Messrs. Hughes, Denver & Peck that
he would not forget their services.
He said that, in addition to his five
plantations on the Red River, lie
had 5000 bales of cotton on stoc-
age, near Little Rock, and that he
would give them a chance to make
something handsome on the cotton;
he would let them have the 5000
bales at twenty cents o pound,
or about half the price. They
told him they would consult with
their partners in the cotton trade
Gen. Davis and Mr. Williams
asked him to let the matter stand for
a time. He promised to wait on
them and on leaving Washington
city, directed them TO negotiate with
him at st. Louis. Allen then return
ed to this city and put up at the
Southern Hotel, awaiting dispatches.
In a short time despatch came,
which was answered by his eonfede-
rate, Metcalfe, who telegraphed him
that Allen was off on pleasure ex-
cursion, and that he would notify
them Of his return, at the same time
assuring them that his cotton was
still in the market, and they would
have no difficulty in regard to making
a fair bargain with him. In the
course of II week, Metcalfe telegraph
ed them as Aliens agent OF private
secretary, and stated that Allen had
returned, and that he had authorized
him to say that they could have the
cotton at twenty cents. Two or three
days afterward, Judge John C.
Walker, of Washington city, arrived
here with a power Of attorney from
Hughes, Denver & Peck, to purchase
the cotton for them, he himself to
have sixth interest in the profits.
The Judge found Allen at the South
ern Hotel, and concluded, as they
had matter of such importance to
talk about, it would be as well for
them just, to take room together for
convenience sake. Allen was willing,
and they accordingly took rooms to-
gether at the Southern, each endea-
voring to excel the other in genial
hospitality, and that kind of open
hearted generosity which vents itself
IN small matters, such as cigars, cham
pagne, etc.
After two or three days spent in
telegraphing backward and forward
from Washington, Judge Walker re-
ceived a despatch advising him to
advance $4,000 on the cotton to close
the bargain, and to draw on them for
the amount. The Judge accor,lin Civ
paid over to Allen the sum of $40, coo,
and they were to leave in the COT rse
of two or three days for Little Ro elk;
the Judge to take along with him She
SIM OF $3.50, 600, Oh cash enough to
pay for the cotton on its delivery into
his possession. .Alle2 and Metcalfe,
having received the money, left at
once for Paris, Edgar County, Hi
nois, where they completely surprised
the natives by the amount of treasure
they displayed. 1t is alleged that
upon the day of their reaching Paris,
they took into their confidence q third
party, to whom they offered the sum
OF $4,000 in cash to accompany them
to Little Rock with Judge Walker,
wiSh view of getting possession of
5 $50, 600 he was to take with him.
The young man understood them
as hintng that it would be necessary
to murder the Judge-who, they
stated, was notorious rebel-and he
declined to accompany them. The
young man then went to the sheriff
of Edgar County and informed him
of the plot The sheriff at once came
to st. Louis and informed Judge
Walker of what he had learned. The
Judge, but an hour or two after re-
ceiving the warning, and learning
that the men he had been dealing
with were swindlers, and that they
had conceived the idea of numbering,
came face to face to Allen, at the desk
of the Southern hotel. He had not,
however, the courage to arrest Allen,
but ran into the street and hunted for
q policeman. Upon entering the ho-
tel again, Allen and his confederate
had taken the hint of danger and fled.
1t was afterward discovered that they