The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-21


CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF A BOLD
AND EXPERT SwISDLER.-In the criminal
court yesterday there was brought out
case of as bold and clever swindling rs this
enlightened age usually produces. 1t was
the case of Samuel Hart alias Ferguson,
against whom there were two indictments
for obtaining goods and money under false
prctcnccs. The facts elected in the trial
show that on the 9Th of last July respect
able-looking man, of about ffty-fve years
OF age, went to the store of Messrs. Hollo-
way, Donohue & Co., on Exchange Place,
and negotiated purchase of quite large
lot of tobacco for cash. After the terms
had been arranged and the sale con-
cluded, the purchaser, who gave his
name as Samuel Ferguson, stated he
had not the cash with him, but pro-
duccd what purportcd to be a certificate
Vile, Ohio. This he agreed to endorse over
to them, and, they accepting the same, he
took their check for the difference, minus
twenty dollars, which they gave him in
cash. lie was to call or send for the goods
the next day. So, making his bow politely,
he left them. He next visited the boat
building establishment of Mr.. Bradyhouse,
on the Point, where he purchased four ca
noes for 800 each, to be delivered to his
order within q month, and to be used, he
said, in Albemarlc Sound, where he rented
them out at q profit to New York fishing
par;ics lie paid for the canoes in advance
by endorsing over Holloway, Donohue &
Co.'S check, and took the check of Mr.. Bra
dvhousc on the Second National Bank for
the difference.
lie next appeared, the same afternoon, OF
Tic store Of McsSrs. Sinsheimer, Plack s.
Co., on Aliceanna street, where he pur
chased some twenty-five barrels of flour, to
he shipped the next day to Mr.. Samuel
Hart, baker in New York, whose agent
Ferguson represented himself to be. They
not knowing Nr. Bradyhousc's signature,
Ferguson wen; with them to the residence
Of John ". Randolph, Esq, president Of
the Second National Bank. Mr.. Randolph
could not lie seen, but they found clerk of
the bank. who reported the check genuine
and good. The -four men then accepted it
in payment Of their bill, and gave their
own check for the balance. This check
Ferguson took the next morning, before
bank hrurs:.to the store Of Mr.. Wolf Kun
mcr, icNcilor Oh south Broadway, where
he bought 4 gold watch and chain, two sill
yc: watches. q gold ring. and brcastpn,-
IN nj a hill Of some $lG0-for which he
ave the endorsed check of Sinshcimcr,
rllcl; x Co., and sol in return the goods
ant! some 80 IN cash. He then took his
departure, being, after many operations, in
po.scs<;on Of So from Holloway Co., and
922SO in cash AMI $50 il jcwclry from Mr.
Hummer.
In the mean time Mcssrs. Holloway,
Donohuc & Co., upon q closer examination
Of tho y 100 certificate, discovered ii was
issued 10 the credit OF the Baltimore ana
Clio Ralroal Company and was not trans
icra1le, and learned upon inquiry that the
rarcr was geni!iuc, having been issued to
cover money DEPOSITED By the agent OF the
Contra! Oho Railroad Company to meet q
payment due the former company, whose
treasurer recognized the paper, but could
net make out how it had miscarricd, nor
low Ferguson had obtained possession Of it.
Upon making these discoveries, McssrS. Hoi-
loway 4 Co. stepped payment Of their check
10y giving notice at their bank. Bradyhousc
going to the bank TO collect the check, and
finding payment STOPPED. immediately Sc
cured himself b. giving notice to his
bank hot 70 pay his own. Snshcimcr 4
Co., Ecing in Ike manner notified, did the
-amc. hir. Sinsheimer, having made in
uuiiios and learned the state Of affairs, met
Sir. Bradyhou&c in the course Of the invcs-
tigation, and they, too, determined to look
after Ferguson. After some trouble they
found him il tavern on the Point with
. Ills yali>c in his hand, standing at the bar,
where he was having his flask filled with
gin to comfor, him Oh lis way TO parts un-
known. They immediately had lin ar
rcstel by Sergeant Digg*, Of the eastern dis
, trct, and III his possession WIS found 1926
IN cash and the icwclry OF Mr.. Hummer,
all OF which is now i'll the hands Of the ro-
! lice commissioners. Throughout the whole
business Ferguson showed the utmost clever,
II, IS and c0olnces, and but for his fondncss
for the fatal gin hi gLt have escaped scot
! free.
The above facts having been proved, ard
| rs the two indictments represented the same
! offence, tie court ordered one Of them stct-
! ted, and, rcmarking that it would require a
| sum III arithmetic 10 ascertain to whom the
captured plumber belonged, sentenced the
unfortunate tinancicr to Imprisonment i'll
the State pcnitcntiary for the period of
seven year.; and six months. Ferguson has
been in Jail ever since his capture, in July
last; so he will have had in all over eight
years in which to plan better life or o
more successful dlc.-BUHimore San,
2GM.