The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-10

AN ACCOMPLISHED VILLAIN.-Some eigh-
teen months ago a man OF genteel exterior
and winning manner made his appearance
in this city, and for sixteen months sue
ceeded in practicing upon the credulity Of
the people with whom he was brought into
contact, until lie has been discovered to be
one of the most accomplished villains in the
country. 1t appears that Il gentleman Of
this city, with his daughter, was travelling
in the South, and while on a steamboat
made the acquaintance of the party in ques-
ton, but who was then passing under an
assumed name. Shortly after the GENTLE
man returned to his home his newly
made acquaintance made his appear
ance, and at once began TO pay marked
| attention to the young lady he met
in the South. He represented himself
| as q man of means, and most respectfully
| connected in New York, which last state
| ment was correct, but these connexions
| had long since discarded him because Of
| his Yillalny. After a short time he pro-
| posed to the young lady, was accepted, and
in due time married her. Nc one suspected
| him, and everything went on smoothly for
i time. He rented a pew in one OF the
| most popular p-town churches, and won
| the esteem Of every one With whom be was
| brought into contact by the suavity OF his
| manner and his apparent liberality. Last
II XII llIC SlONOS Hol w ANNA1 -AN ~ fNH
| detected by calling at a store where his VIC
TINS wife was In the habit Of dealing.
| There happened TO be a lady clerk in the
store who had some years ago visited
| New York, and while there spent a part
of her time with her sister, who lived as
a companion with an aged lady OF wealth
named Stebbins, and the man who entered
the store was the son Of that lady. A few
DAYS later the lady, whom Stebbms, under
another name, had basely deceived ana pc
trayed, called at the same store, when Inc
iody clerk told her that she thought she
had married a man named StebblnS. Ihat
so alarmed her that she went Immediately
to her home, and communicated what she
had heard to her betrayer, VINO assumed 10
ne at the same time amused ana outraged:
But he went to the store and threatened
the LIE of the lady if she did not go to MS
wife and say that she had made a mistake,
which, under fear of his threat, she dld,
and for u time things again went Oh
smoothly. or
His funds running low, or some other
reason, he called at one oil the pllnSipa.
jewelrv stores of the city, gave announcer
alias. and purchased q diamond ring, valued
at $500. He then represented mmseii
as a steamboat agent, and woulo lmmer
diately send up the purchase money. nav;
Ing failed to pay at the appointed Time tne
iewelIer called on the Independent detec-
tive firm of Smith, Peirson 81 West, VINO
took the matter In hand. They We're noI
long in tracing his whereabouts, but inc
matter was suppressed by the father OF the
vile of Stebblns assuming to pay for Tue
ring. The ring was, however, found IN q
paWTnbroker's establishment. where 1t had
been pledged for a hundred dollars. For
years he had lived upon the puolc as Q
fdence man aad a iorger, and having hpeo
sufficiently long in Baltimore, he resort.
ed to his old game, and forged a check
for some three hundred dollars, Wnlch ne
got cashed at the clearinghouse Of Messrs.
Fisher, Brothers 1t Co., and early IN FED
ruary left the city. He kept up a constant
correspondence with his Baltimore WDe,
and promised, in every letter, soon 70 te-
turn to her. Smith, Person d West were
were again called on, and they learned that
! he was in a village in Duchess county, New.
York, where he was living as Mr.. Spencer,
and as his presence in Baltimore was de-
sired to account for the forged check, they
communicated with Detective Elder, o tNeW.
York, and requested his arrest. He had,
however, been seen in 8 restaurant In New
York by one Of the house OF Fisher Brothers
4 Co., but succeeded in making bis escape
before q policeman could Re had, and