The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-08
GIFT CONCERT swINDLEs.
The North American RelIy-His Depar-
tUre from the City-PrOspects for the
Tieket-HOIders--Adven Of n Glft
Concert Man in Memphis.

Concert Man in Memphis.
From the Chicago Republicdn, 6th inst
The end Of gigantic, and because gigantic,
popular swindle, has been attained. large
number of too.confiding ones have allowed
themselves to become the victims of an indivi-
dual who through the medium OF certain Jour
nails, advertised his rascality, and by the palDa-
ble falsehoods, published his estimate of human
credulity. That he has been correct in the esi-
mate there can be no doubt. for, after obtaining
money under false pretenees, he has fed. Mr..
A,A. Kelly, manager of the North American
Gift Concert, has gone to the city OF New York.
and the ''North American Prize Concert is
indefinitely postponed. 1t is probable that this
since the inception OF the swindle, and has been
simply q concertof action between A. A. Kelly
and some unknown individuals under the title
OF Co., each performer of the troupe playing
upon "a harp OF thousand strings"
The headquarters" of this lottery No. 105
Randolph street, has been converted into a boot
and shoe store, where, by permission of the
proprietors, some fascinating young man, or
charming young woman, is still TO preside at
desk for the sale of tickets. 1t is possible that
we may hereafter be called upon TO give 20 this
unknown firm q gratuitous notice. Another
desk has been allowed to the agents of Kelly at
Nos. 81 and Sc La Sale street. II may not be an
inappropriate curiosity on the part of some
ucket-hOlders that prompts the inquiry as
TO how many persons constitute the GO" OF
This generous firm offered the magnificent
sum Of S5OOOOo in prizes. and admission TO a
"grand concert" to five hundred thousand in
dividuals who would give to them the sum of 81
each-the entire expense of advertising, clerk
hire, etc. to be PAID Out 0I tne poekets @ 9i tne
to believe such palpable lies, but even fools
should be protected from the cunning of rogues.
The Republican denounced this swindle as
soon as our notice was called to it by cores
pondent. The fellow Kelly became frightened
when we suggested an investigation of his
affairs by the police, and speedily made
rangements to leave the city. But he need not
have made such haste; the police are too busy
in looking after degraded women to scent the
track Of a first-class and prosperous knave. The
attention of the police was called to Kelly about
ten days ago, and that unnecessarily alarmed
individual only left the city on Monday night,
But his agents arestill here. What will be done
with them?
ADVENTURES OF A GIFT ENTERPRISE MAN.
The Memphis AUoldgche contains the follow
ing in reference to Virgins, Of Virgins, Brad
ford q Co.. who figured in Chicago year ago
in connection with a gift swindle:-
Just at this junoture in our affairs, il appears
that Memphis is looked upon by the grand
army of swindlers (of The republic) as the centre
of attractiop-the safety spot OF the country
TOR hHn tbe E3s oey Honse M wns in the U
full tide of success, some two months ago, an
ingenious and enterprising Yankee sailing
That the Crosby Opera House might not be in
jured by his competition, and TO distinguish
the two enterprises he concluded he would
term his darling pet the Crosby Gift Enterprise
and located 1t in Chicago.
After making all the necessary arrangements
such as printing tickets, securing offices and
agencies, he 'set the ball in motion" Like q
far-seeing man, he advertised his scheme far
and near and about three weeks after opening,
getic Virgins at first sufficed to do the work,
In that short space of time Virgins, receipts
amounted TO over one hundred ana niCy ,,iIi tnoui
to work all this time, and accumulate lhls Inn
mense sum without detection. Finally the
whole affair leaked out, and with IL the IN
domitable Virgins took his departure for
parts unknown, leaving his clerks without
The next thing we hear of Virgins he is in
our midsJ-here in Memphis. After he left
travelling around He proceeded leisurely
Through the State undisturbed, reached Evans
mis- He secured rooms at the Worsham House,
stroled through the city, viewed It's improve
Ments, deigned to comment upon It's future.
and even spoke of investing in various under
fakings. As inStinctively as q cat SITS by q rat
hole patiently watching nS m 6 He hg II r and md
Barnes await and closely watch the movements
of their .victim-poor Virgins. 1t should be DC
M p detectives. With these detectives doggine
his footsteps. poor Virgins was in IA; bad aX aS
notoriety, gave the cue OF the matter TO Stone
braker.
gins; professed TO be his friend, and in this way
threw suspicious Virgins of his guard. He
introduced StonebraEer to Virgins, and Wig
and supped and slept together Wlgglns pore
the expenses IN iew Gays esenai aS, ye D m
way for some time until one evening Virgins
who had been drinking pretty freely, and
Stonebraker and Barnes retired together tc
Wiggins' room in the w Worsham House. Ane
conversing on several subjects, Stonebrakel
said:~"Wiggins, old boy, you made a goot
thing out OF that Chicago trick" Wiggin
looked straight and inquired OF Stonebrake
what he meant. "0hw replied Stonebraker
"you know there's no use in Disgusting it-w'
know all about it," Again Mr.. Virgins put or
a look of astonishment, and asserted that h'
could not comprehend his meaning
Stonebraker could not, or at least had no de
sire TO refrain from expressing more fully hi
meaning and told Virgins more about hi
(Wiggins) affair in Chicago than Wiggin
knew himself, accompanying his remarks b.
asking Virgins to walk with him to the static
house. Virgins was thunderstruck. Wiggin
was dumbfounded. Wiggins waited. Stone
bralxer and Barnes laid hold OF Virgins, lwhe
he. with q truly suggestive mind, asked if ther
could be no compromise. over this propositio
there was some discussion. Virgins hnall
agreed to disgorge literally, And he did, TO tn
time of twenty thousand dollars, in bills of th
denomination of one thousand dollars eacl
. Some assert that they received a much large
Of" course Virgins was released. Ston
braker and Barnes then left the city, and haN
not since been heard from. Virgins then lie
the city-departed for Texas.
ont and reached the ears OF Sherth Winter
He ferreted out the matter, ascertained II
whereabouts of Virgins, and telegraphed
the Chief of Police of Chicago, inquiring as
Sphat course he should pursue in the matte
saving that he would send Virgins back
Chicago If desired. He received reply
return, stating that they did not want hi
Previous TO this, however, Sheriff Winte
learned that Virgins had deposited IN I
First National Bank OF thls city ABOUT Sz5O
srhis sum he instantly attached, Dy serving I
Syrif npon Mr. Davis, President of the bank.
anpeaTs that in deposittng 1t Virgins ga
Instructions that the entire amount De inVest
in Seven-thirties. uhoelstaH4, a. atS1, Xky,i ~
bnmbug Ienterprise have also Attached !
money Virgins is now said 10 be IN N
Orleans. few days ago man as tbe wsS AGENT 1