The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-13
LOCAL MATTERS.

SWINDLER AMONG THE BROKERS-HF
GoEs THROUGH ONE FIRM FOR $1,000, AMI
MAKES 0rF-HIs ARREST IN PETERsBUgG.- :
On Saturday last sharp fellow succeeded
in an attempt to swindle the firm Of W. M
Sutton & Co., brokers of this city, out o.
about twenty-five hundred dollars By
means Of bogus draft for that amount
EARLY in the morning the alleged swindler
giving his name as James Chambers, and
representing himself to be northern CAPT
talist, concluded an arrangement with Gene.
raj j. D. 1mboden for the purchase Of some
land in Henrico county. He then, by some
means, secured an introduction to Meesrs.
Sutton g. Co. as bona Jide capitalist, and
presented to them draft for 81, $40 pur-
porting to be drawn on McKim s. Co., the
wellknown bankers of Baltimore, by Dun
Ian, Sherman s Co., of New York. The
draft was cashed by check on the Planters
Bank Of Richmond, and he Immediately
proceeded to draw the money.
Later in the day Messrs. Sutton & Co.,
by telegraphic communication with the New
York bankers, ascertained that the drafI
was forgery, and strict search for Mr..
Chambers was made; but as he was not tc
be found in the city, the affair was placed
in the hands Of Detectives Knox and Grad
dock for investigation. They telegraphed
at once to the neighboring cities, desert.
bing Chambers and requesting his appre-
hension. They soon ascertained that o per-
son answering to their description had
made his appearance in Petersburg, and
was under arrest.
1t seems that on the arrival Of the after
noon train from Richmond the Petersburg
officers at once repaired to the depot. The
Express says:
"Oficer Peterson entered the coaches,
Lieutenant Gentry remaining outside. Upon
entering, Peterson was struck with the ap-
pearance Of the prisoner, as he found that
he corresponded exactly to the description
of the dispatch. He saw him descend from
the coach and direct his steps towards the
hotel. The officers followed him. Noticing
that he passed the hotel desk without sign
ing the register, they inquired of the clerk
whether this was customary. On being told
that it was, they went into the dining room,
and noticed that the individual who had
first attracted their attention was seated at
the first table near the door and facing it.
On meeting the look Of the officers, Mr.. Pc
tcrson says he thought he noticed trou-
bled look about the prisoner, who, however,
went on with his meal. After having
dined, the prisoner came up to the desk,
paid his bill, and as ne was moving of
passed between Lieutenant Gentry and
Peterson, who now followed in his
footsteps. On reaching the portico, the
suspected man was observed to look back
wards, with evident uneasiness, at his pur-
suers still he continued, and went half
way to the train, was hailed thrice by Lieu
tenant Gentry; at the third hail he turned,
when officer Gentry accosted him, stating
that he had an unpleasant duty to perform,
as they had instructions to arrest certain
party, and that he corresponded with the
description furnished them. He here asked
how long he would be detained for the pur-
pose the officers told him long enough to
identify him. He was asked from what
place he hailed; he answered, from New
York. When asked whether his name was
Chambers, he answered no; pausing
awhile, he added that his name was Smith.
Being asked where he lived in Richmond,
he stated in private room. When taken
to the station-house, Gentry asked him for
his true name, when he said it was of no
use to ask him any questions; for if he
were to be questioned he wanted counsel.
He subsequently admitted that his name
was Chambers"
The officers, after taking him in custody,
examined his travelling bag, and found in
it
In Treasury notes, sl,232; two bills Of
exchange in triplicate, as follows:
One drawn by Brewster & Sweet, or Ed.
Sweet, of Boston, TO order Of James Cole,
for the sum of $4,000. The draft was en-
dersed by James Cole, certified to by Brew
ster & Sweet. .
Another draft, by Kidder g. Peabody, on
Messrs. MoElmont Brothers, London, to
order of James Cole, but not endorsed, for
the sum of ,O25. :
A receipt from General j. Imboden to
James Chambers for $3.50, part payment
for 446 acres of land in Henrico, the farm
of MIR. Spilman, called Woodburn.
A party Of men who registered them
selves at the Spotswood Hotel as James
Cole, Boston; Charles Osgood, Middleton,
N. Y; and Willis Benton, Maryland, are
supposed to be accomplices of Chambers.
Cole was seen on the street Saturday after
noon with Chambers. He directed the
clerk of the Spotswood if any kilograms
came for Osgood to place them in his
fCole's) box. One was received thus ad-
dressed, and handed to him, which he
opened. :.
On Saturday night he left $1,000 with
Captain Millward for safe-keeping. Hewas
spending money quite freely, and his &C
tions generally indicated that everything
was not all right. He showed Captain Mill
ward a letter of introduction from the
cashier of the Ocean Bank of New York to
S. B. Smith, Esq., cashier of the First Ma
tional Bank of this city. This letter, as
we are informed by Mr.. Smith, was never
presented. ,1f-
AS regards another of the party, Mr.. J.
s. Angel, clerk at the spotswood, received
q telegram from his brother, L. A. Angel,
who is doing business in Wilmington, N.
c., asking some information concerning
Willis Benton-whether he could be vouched
for. Mr.. Angel telegraphed back that he
knew nothing about him whatever.
Chambers has subsequently acknow.
lodged that he is from New Jersey, where
his relatives live. 1t is said that he seemed
anxious to be sent back, to Richmond OF
once when arrested to meet the charges
against him. He is described as young
man, good-looking, intelligent, and well
dressed.
James Cole, who doubtless has the other
portion Of the sum stolen, is about twenty
five years Of age, has light hair, with light
moustache and gostee, quite handsome. His
left eye was much infaned when last seen
Detective Knox, accompanied by MIR
Phil. Sutton, ono Of the firm of William NJ
Sutton & Co., went over to Petersburg on