The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-29
LOCAL MATTERS.

n CoUNrRrMAS ROBBED BY CONFIDENCE
MES.---A case in the Police Court on Satur-
day brought to light another instance of 4
worthy couptryman being made the victim
of the wilcS of that class of roglleS known As
confidence men. 1t was the old story, vary
ing only in details from hundred that we
have published before. Mr.. Joseph B. Will
liamS. of Dinwiddic county, came to the city
on Friday. and being without acqtaint-
ances here, amused himself by stroll on the
principal streets. In the course Of his RAM
bleS he was accoStcd by man who gave his
name as William Martin, who asked him if
he was acquainted here. Williams replied
No." and the other rcjoined that he also
was stranger, and that he wished to buy
some tobacco, and he would be glad to have
the assistance of his new acquaintance. Soon
afterwards, 1T Martins suggestion, they went
to the American Hotel. ARRIVED there they
were met by a friend of Martin's-one Will
liam G. Austin--who Immediately ap-
preached and asked Martin if he could set.
tie that little bill. Martin asked him how
much it amounted to, and was told about
S2S. Whereupon he offered i'll payment
what puIported to be q draft for $500, saying
he had no other change with him. Austin
could not cash the draft, and Martin ap-
pcaled to Mr. Williams to lend him the
amount requisite to pay the bill. Williams
said he did not have that amount to lend, as
he wished to settle some debts which he
owed. and he preferred not to lend the
money, although he had it with him. Mar
tin remarked to him that he could keep the
draft, and also a pocket-book which he dis
played, containing. as he. said, lot OF gold,
Us security. Williams then handed Martin
all the money he had, amounting to Sllo.
Martin then remarked to Austin, " Come up
stairs and will give you receipt, at the
saline time telling Williams to remain
where he was, rs they would return lmme-
diately. Williams, however; started to follow
them. and WAS met on the head OF the steps
by two men who stopped him and entered
into conversation with him, evidently
for the purpose of detaining him. He
stated to them that he had lent Martin this
money, and he believed that he had been
robbed, and requested their assistance to re-
gain his property. One of these men, w. 81.
Benson, then offered to so and see "Colonel"
Knox, telling Williams to remain with the
other until his return. He was absent
about hals-an-hour. when he returned,
stating that he could not find KNOX.
The other man, Charles +. Warren. then
offered to 20 with Williams i'll search
of Knox. They finally found him, when War
rem left them. Mr.. Williams then stated the
whole transaction to Detective Knox, who
advised him to remain in the city until some
steps could be taken for the arrest of the
supposed thieves.
On Saturday the whole party, consisting of
William II. Benson. Charles +. Warren, ".
&. Austin, and William Martin, were ar
rested and brought up before the Police
Court. when the above evidence was
elected. Justice White sent the whole party
on for trial before the Hastings Court
in June. They were remanded to Jail i'll de-
FAULT of bail, and OIL being searched at the
station-house, several spurious gold coins
and a draft for $500 OH some parties in
Washington were found in their possession.
| The police believe they are Il part OF reSll-
lar organized band of confidence men now
operating in this city.