The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-28

4 SwINDLER AMONG TEE BANKs-AEs.
OTHER SAWYER RABRoAD.-Saturday about
noon Mr. Alsop, of the firm Of Alsop, Fori =
queran & Co., called at the First NatioRsl
Bank of this city and introduced to the
cashier, Mr.. 8. B. Smith, stranger by the
name Of J. C. Baldwin. Baldwin had made
himself known to Mr.. Alsop's house through
letter purporting to have been written by
c. H. Luddington, Of the well-known firm
of Lathrop, Luddington, & Co., large dry
Smith invited Baldwin back into his office,
and when there the stranger informed him
that he desired to transact some business
with the bank. He held check of the Ns-
tional Union Bank of Woonsecket, Rhode
Island, for $l2. 1900, signed by the cashier,
Elisha I. Read, and drawn on the Suffolk
National Bank of Boston. he wished IS 900
in currency, and the balance Of the Boston
check he would leave on deposit with the
bank, to DO checked for from Lynchburg,
whittier he was going on business. The
personal appearance Of Baldwin was well
calculated to secure for him favorable
ception-being apparently about ffty-fye
years of age, neatly dressed in q plain,
black suit, with grayish whiskers all around
the face, closely trimmed back from the
front, and with quiet, easy address. His
general makeup and favorable introduc-
ton through such 6rst-class houses as the
New York and Richmond firms above men
toned would doubtless have succeeded in
deceiving many an unwary cashier;g but
Mr.. Smiths suspicious were soon aroused BY
the answers of Baldwin to his inquiries,
and arranging to delay compliance with his
request for the currency for q short time,
he fastened to the store Of Alsop, Fourqu-
rean s. Co. to see the letter Of introduction
which Baldwin had presented. Doubts Of
its genuineness were expressed, and Mr..
Alsop telegraphed to New York to Mr.. Lud-
dington &" Have you given J. G. Baldwina
letter Of introduction to, US ~ MIR. Smith
also telegraphed to the cashier Of the
Woonsocket Bank Have you given J. C.
Baldwin check No. 1850 for $l2, 900 on the
Suffolk National Bank Of BostonS" Mean
time Mr.. Smith requested Baldwin to call
at 3 o'clock for his money. To the telegram
Mr.. Luddington replied have given no
such letter." The cashier of the Woon-
socket Bank promptly replied +" It is q
forgery" 's5s'
Having now in his possession satisfactory
evidence that Baldwin was a swindler, and
suspecting that he might not return to the
bank, Mr.. Smith proceeded at once to the
depot of the Richmond and Petersburg
railroad to prevent the escape Of Baldwin
by the train, which was then about to leave.
He found his man there, and quietly call
iog q policeman, requested him to arrest
Baldwin on the charge Of attempting to
pass forged check. The policeman re-
fused to do it unless a warrant was pro-
cured from a magistrate authorizing the
arrest. During their absence in search of
magistrate Baldwin left On their re-
turn, finding he had escaped, and suspect
ing that he would get on the train in Man
chester, efforts were made to get the aid Of
the conductor to stop him there, or rather
to put the officer off In case the train was
not stopped for passengers. This he re-
fused to do. Mr.. Smith proceeded to Man
chester by the accommodation train, which
left soon after and learning that person
answering the description of Baldwin had
gotten on the mail train, Immediately tele-
graphed to the Chief of Police Of Peters
burg to arrest him.