The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-23
STEERING UP TRADE.
A Queer Customer-The Edisto ID Doctof-
What he Bought and Where he
Bought II.

bOu$n nt H.
On the fifth of September might nave oeen
seen in the local columns OF THE NEWS para
praph announcing that the Executive ciem-
encv had been extended to J. H. Simonson,
white the efficient teacher at the school es-
tahlisbed for the education OF the prisoners
confined in the Charleston Jail. Simonson
had heen convicted OF uttering forged note
IN the name of Lieutenant-Gov Rans!er,
and his literary qualifications at once recon-
men ded him TO the position Of school-teacher.
He was sentenced TO one years imprisonment
in the Penitenliary, but his place OF punish
ment was commuted to the Jail OF Charleston,
in order that he might teach the prisoners
ideas how to shoot When within two months
of having served his full time he was pardoned
and discharged, as stated above.
On Wednesday last fair-spoken customer
OF nervous manners, and apparently Weii-to'
do planter. made his appearance in the hand
some hat emporium OF Mr.. Johnson, on King
street, opposite Hasel, and expressed his de-
sire to lay IN stock of goods OF course, he
Immediately received every attention. he
represented himself as DR.. James b. Ward, OF
Edisto Island. VITO kept small store to exc
out his professional income. The Doctor was
laying in his supplies for the fall trade in COT
ton. dozen OF those light felts, four dozen
of those black, good lot Of straws-the doc
tor was not particular, and better customer
never came in door. Goods to the amount Oh
one hundred and fifty dollars were soon laid
aside, which the doctor, in the most practical
manner, ordered to be shipped by the Water
Lilly on Friday yesterday AS he lelt the
store the Doctor was apparently struck by the
appearance OF his head, as he faced the mirror,
and stopping short, suggested that new
hat would improve his appearance. NO
sooner said than done, and the Doctor, who
was not hard 10 please, was soon ntted IN
graceful head gear of the latest fashion. He
was also now struck by some umbrellas, anu
remembered that Mr. Prentiss had desired him
to get one for him. A suitable one was quickly
produced, and with hat and umbrella In hand
the Doctor gracefully bowed himself from the
store, 1t being understood that he was TO call
that afternoon and settle the bill. Charmed
with his success and the Importance IN which
he was held by the dealers, the Doctor now
crossed the street, and entering the book de-
pository of Mr.. Fogartie, in the bend, looked
around with an inquisitive buslness-like air.
He soon attracted attention and was politely
waited upon. Glanclng at his memoranda, the
Doctor called for books, serials, writing pa
Ter, &C., in turn, and soon had fine assort-
ment of stati.lery, valued at about fity dol
lars, laid aside. Having satisfied his thirst ior
books and laid in fine lot of materials for car
rying on an Imaginary school. the Doctor or
dered them shipped By the Water Lilly, and
left, promising to call that evening and settle.
Nothing more was heard Of DR.. Ward until
Thursday morning, when, with the air OF o
professional, he entered the wholesale drug
store of Messrs. Dowie, Noise d Davis, at the
corner OF Meeting and Hasel streets The
Doctor here maintained the character which
he had assumed, and knowing himself to be
In the presence of the initiated. spoke learn
edly OF catarrhal and ephemeral ferers, the use
of disinfectants, and the respective merits oil
the quipine and calomel treatment in cases OIL
country fever. His play, however. was not
successful, and be was suspected. He ordered
large lot OF medicines, and was most particu-
lar that the bill should not exceed 500. This
being what he allowed himself for medicines.
The Doctor left, but the medicines were never
put up, far less sent TO the steamer. Finding
that the professional assumption was getting
him in trouble, the Doctor next day yesterday
entered the establishment Of one Of our most
prominent dealers in clothing, and went 10
work. He was dressed In common clothes,
and seemed to be just from the country, and
anxious to get away again from the yellow
fever. He called himself Mr.. ". T. Shay this
lime, a planter from the neighborhood Of ct.
Stephens, Northeastern Railroad. Mr.. Shay
was in hurry, and bought everything tnat
was shown him. He quickly ran up a DILL oil
$500 dollars, and ordered The goods to be
shipped at once on the Northeastern Railroad.
he would call in the afternoon and settle. HIS
clothes being rather the worse for wear, Mr.
Shay did not disdain to insert himself speedily
into a fine ready. made suit, ito be charged in
the bill, YOU know" Mr.. Shay's nervousness
and hurry at length aroused suspicion, and
especially when he came back 10 get one OF
the agents OF the clothing store 10 give him
self as reference in large purchase Of
sugars and molasses. which Mr.. Shay was
about to make on the Bay. The agent
left the store and walked down the street with
Mr.. Shay, conversing pleasantly the while.
Near Market street they met Detective Davis,
who, after making few inquiries as to Shay,
Immediately arrested him by his true name.
Simonson. The goods obtained by him were
recovered and taken back to the store whence
he had collected them. The prisoner was then
taken 10 the detective office and locked up.
He considers himself hardly used, and ire
ouently sheds tears over his condition. He
calls himself school-teacher and doctor by
turns, and few who see him now doubt that he
is of unsound mind. His exploits, although
marked by some cunning, are hardly those OF
an ordinary swindie:. He is held Tor examl-
nation.
SCIPIo AFRICANus was great man in bis
n1.