New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-24
THE KEENESr MERCANTILE SWINDLER

LAGRAVE ARRESTED IN SOUTHERN FRANCE
AND BROUGHT TO THIS CITY-EsCAPE OF
HIS CONFEDERATE-A sHREWD DETECTIVES
SEARCH.
The career of Alfred E. Lagrave and his
partner OTIS the wholesale dry goods business IN this
city, has probably been forgotten by the mercantile
community and the expected arrival Of Lagave to-day
by the steamship Washington will no doubt be hailed
with considerable delight by his creditors 1t will be
remembered, perhaps that Lagrave Co. had quite an
extensive establishment in Broadway, near BroOmest,
and it was there that they laid their plans so success
fully as TO deceive about fifty of the largest firms in this
city among whom may be mentioned A. T. Stewart d
Co.. H. b. Clahin q Co, and Others Their transactions
extended over period Of two years. and their method
Of doing business cool and daring as TO deceive
the shrewdest and Oldest merchants.
1t seems that they began operations on an exceedingly
small SCALE hut owing their representations the
chants with whom they dealt were induced to believe
that they had very largo capital and were therefore
ready TO sell them goods credit almost any amount
1t was a long time before any suspicion was excited,
and then only when passing by the store one day some
OF the vctimzed merchants discovered that the firm of
Lagrave & Co. had suddenly disappeared, and that
trace OF their whereabouts remained Subsequent in
vesgations developed the existence Of large number
of creditors who with the aid Of detectives soon discov
cred that Lagrave, after accommodating large amount
Of stock had disposed Of 1t at auction in Philadelphia,
Baltimore, and other cities and then closed his store
and left the city meeting of the creditors mme
diaely called TO take action in the matter and during
the various consultations it was unanimously agreed
that the pursuit of Lagrave ana Otis, who constituted
the firm should be undertaken at once and that
pense should be spared in making example Of such
sullful mercantile swindlers.
VIM. Strong OF the firm OF Baldwin, Rice & Reed
Rcha I'd Miser OF the firm OF Duden. Freres q Co.;
Charles L. Leitz Of the firm of C. T. Dambman Co.,
and Aaron Field Of Field Morris, Fenner & Co., were
appointed Committee to look after the interests of all
the creditors and empowered to take such meas
ures as would result in the speedy capture and trial OF
Lagraye and Otis These gentlemen called TO their aid
the services of prominent lawyer, John d. Townsend
and James Mooney shrewd private detective Of this
city The swinders had fed from the city and the only
clue by which their whereabouts could be 9seertained
consisted simply In their handwriting In letters ad
dressed to various members OF the swlndied nrms.
The detective however was not og hn a in ns
in the city, and under the gulse OF country merchant
he visited ns S'ie o os bere tSaf M Sr Trace was
found OF Lagrave and OTIS IL then appeared that 0oth
OF them had departed for Canada and they were tracked
TO Toronto Montreal and Queenstown. Their arrival at
Queenstown having become known 10 some OF their
creditors in this city an inudicous telegram
have them arrested and detained This accordingly
done by the Queenstown authorities; but in cOnse
when their Counsel raised they were discharged after
detention of few days and day or two prior to the
patched by Mr. Townsend on the next steamer in pur
suit Of them.
London, it finally aseertaned that both OF them had
taken passage for France The Efforts OF the detective
were now bafed every side, but by OF their
photographs he followed them through Paris TO Brussels
and finally obtained information that they stopping
Summer at the watering place. Bagnen de Luchon
Ia the south of France The detective at once tele
graphed to Mr.. Townsend, who in the mean time had
ascertained Lagrave during his occupancy OF the
store in Broadway, had committed burglary in the
adjoining premises. Mr.. Townsend, fearful OF his
eventual escape II the ExtradiOn Treaty with France
were relied upon In regard 10 his swindng opera
TONS brought the OF the burglary 70 the notice OF
the DistrictAttOrney, and the Grand Jury found an
indictment against Lagave and Otis. The papers were
prepared and submitted TO the authorities at Washing
directions given by the Secretary OF state
10 have them arrested and sent 10 Washington. MI
Townsend also sent to France with the papers an import
witness In the burglary Upon their arrival at
Bagnen de Luchon, Lagrave was arrested, but OTIS be-
coming Suspicious departed for Brussels Mooney, the
detective, who skfuy followed up the track OF these
adventurers letter to their victims states that when
Iagrave arrested bis fortitude entirely gave way
and he cried like a child. An examination was held and
MT Washburne, Minister 10 France, demanded the sur
render OF LagTaye 10 the AUTHORITIES OF this country
This was accordingly complied with and the detective
and prisoner sailed from Brest on the 18th lDst III
the steamship Washington, which "a expected to-day
The Committee appointed by the creditors OF the
sWndiers has addressed circular dated the 2Zd nst
stain that Immediate proceedings viii be taken against
Laaye on his arrival for the purpose OF holding him
account for fraudulent acts committed prior 10 and
IN anticipation Of bankruptcy and that II Will be neces
saTy have all the papers ready for service when the
steamer reaches this city. Attention was also called IN
the circular 70 the following dispatch, received from
Detective Mooney who captured the prisoner: 49,.
- leave Paris at D. ON Friday, llth inst, Win
Lagrave in custody, aud will sail from Brest on sstur-
day, I2th on steamer Washington Minister Washburne
claimed bis unconditional surrender. 50 the French
authorities would not listen Interfere further ana
granted the demand
The Sheriff and his officers viii be ct the wharf today