Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-03-01
EVENING STAR.
A Great SWfndle.

An ingenious swindle. which cost Hughes,
Dspver Peck of Washington city, General
Dss,s Q. New TorEand others 5000, has been
Daoe nollc TWo young men, George Allen
AID L. r. Mete3dfe, Of Paris, III, concocted the
xiaiainy. Pie former visited Washington city,
49, a1g TO Be a Confedsraie and wealthy
tain pardon from the President Allen then
informed Mesers. Hughes, Denver Peck that
ne would not forget their services. He said
that IN addition TO his five plantations on the
Red River, he had 5000 bales of cotton on stor
age near Little Rock. and that he vouid give
them chance to make something handsome
on me sS o ne would let them have the 1900
eaies ~ ~ cents per pound, or about half the
price. Iney told him they would consult with
TIER partners in the cotton trade-(IeneraI
laws and MI WillsamsLand asked him 70 let
me matter stand for a time He promised 10
want on them, and on leaving Washington citv
oIecfed them to negotiate with him at ST. Louis
Alien then returned TO this city, and put up ar
As Soa liner, , Hotel, awaiting dispatches"
IN snort time a dispatch came, which was
AasWered py his confederate Metcalfe, who
autographed him that Allen was off on plea
sure excursion, and that he would notify them
OF ms return, at the same time assuring them
mat ms cotton was still in the market, and
tney would have no difficulty in regard to
making fair bargain with him. In the course
OF week Metealf telegraphed them as Aliens
agent or private Secretary, and stated that AL
len had returned, and that he had authorized
him to say that they could have the cotton at
Judge John 4. Walker, of Washington City,
arrived here with power of attorney from
Hughes, Denver Peck, to purchase the cot
ton for them, he himself to have a sixth inter-
est in the profits. The Judge found Allen Ut
the Southern Hotel, and concluded, as they
had matter Of such importance to talk about
1t would be as well for them just to take
room togetner for convenience sake. Allen was
willing, and they accordingly took rooms to-
gether al the Southern. each endeayorjng 10 ex-
eel the other in genial hospitality, and that
KING OF open hearted generosity which vents
inar oh
payne, &c.
After two or three days spent in telegraphing
backward and forward from Washington,
Judge Walker received dispatch advising
him TO advance s20,OOO on the cotton to close
the bargain and to draw on them for the
amount. The Judge accordingly paid over 20
Allen the sum of $4,000, and they were 10 leave
in the course of two or three DAYS for Little
Rock. the Judge to take along with him the
sum OF Sl5O,uoo, OF cash enough to paw for the
cotton on Its delivery INTO his possession Allen
and Metcalfe, having received the money left
at once for Paris, Edgar county, Illinois where
they completely surprised the natives nv the
amount OF treasure they displayed. 1t is al
legrd that upon the day of their reaching Paris
tney took into their confidence a third party To
whom they offered the sum of $1,000 in cash
70 accompany them to Little Rock with Judge
walker with view of getting possession OF
$l50,0O0 he was TO take with him.
Inc young man understood them as limiting
mat IT would be necessary TO murder the Judge
VINO, they stated. was a notorious rebel-and
ne declined TO accompany them. The young
man then went TO the sheriff of Edgar county
and informed him of the plot. The sheriff AZ
once came 10 1t. Louis, and informed Judge
walker OF what he had learned. The judge
but an hour or two after receiving the warn
ing, and learning that the men he had been
dealing with were swindlers, and that they
mad conceived the idea of numbering, came face
70 face to Allen at the desk of the Southern Ho-
tel he had not, however, the courage TO ar
rest Allen, but ran into the street and hunted
ior policeman. Upon entering the hotel
AZ to haf tab
mint of danger and fled. 1t was atterward dis
covered that they had left the city on the same
afternoon Tor Canada Nothing has since been
heard OF either Of them.-St. LOUIS pdper