New-York tribune., 1872-03-11
THE ELIAS GANG OF SWINDLERS.

POLICE INTERFERENCE DEMANDED-THE COURTS
EMPLOYED BY ELIAS TO DECEIVE TIE PUB
LIC-wHERE THE GENEVA WATCHES WERE
OBTAINED.
The police authorities pretend to be anxious
10 break up the numerous swindes which they admit
they know the Elias gang conducting hut they make
no active and honest efforts 10 that end Meantime the
men themselves busy enough in vain efforts pro-
teet themselves from further exposure and ultimate
puson from the city Since the publication Of the first
article in The TRIBUNE Samuel A. Butts. jr., who
erroneously supposed 10 be the authority
for its statements has been arrested q malicious
charge and falsely imprisoned the the insti
cation of the Elias gang, and the affidavit OF the wife
of the hookkeeper OF the Geneva Watch Company"
at No. 763 Broadway. confederate has been arrested
and sham trial has taken place. in order that the GER
tcate of jewellers in good standing might be obtained
by submitting to their examination a really valuable
watch. These tricks will deceive one and will not
protect the swndlers from full exposure. But their
prosecution Is left entirely to the newspapers; the
police make no efforts al all. THE TRIBUNE has
sncceeded with the help OF Of the Emigration Com
mssiOners. In breaking up the Infamous ticket swindng
gang and IN sending the worst OF them 10 state Prison
Elias and his fellows have managed, by the magnitude
and number Of their swindng schemes to make them
selves worthy Of the attentions, and they shall
TRIBUNE have cooperation OF any Of the Police
Commssioners-Bosworth; Barr Manierre or smith
subordinate officer at Police ieadquarters declared
saturday 10 Tribune reporter that If any one OF the
victims in Europe heeced by Riass Emgran Protectory
prosecute Elias be could be cony without difficulty.
In any ohcr CITY In the Union he and his gang would be
driven by the police The excuse Of the latter that
they have no authority to interfere with mn, rs
decIned puerile by those oonversant with the
matter. They say that the authorities have fully
much right to break up any of his swindng schenes
other night the Fourteenth Ward and nash the doors
ana ppes % s nf Which admifiance was gained to
the The panel thieves had placed themselves out
had NO redress Elias and his gang it is urged by
OF crime during space OF tVe or SIX years past
have also placed themselves OUTSIDE the pro'ccuon ol
ANOTHER FRAUD COME LIGHT
sti another swinding scheme of the class with which
Ellis H. Elias has been long connected in the charac
Ter Of originator promoter and which he Is probably
engaged H. has come light Circulars have been sent
to all parts the country. purportng TO come from
jennings. DeFrau & Co. importers and manuaeurers B
Brosdway, r. o. BOX No. 2,s5l The circular gives
prlcest similar 10 those sent ont by reputehe dealers
HE articles contained therein being offered prices
from 20 to co per less than market rates There IL
such firm Jennings DE FRAU Co al NO lbV broad
ha nay sa anS t tne 'f as the %%scsn Tea coe and spice
Company. ehposed a few days ago in THE TRIBUNE
GENEVA WATCHES " CosTlSG s..
New disclosures concerning the bankrupt sale Of the
Geneva Watch Company reveal the method Of that swim
die There is no Geneva atch Company socaed, and
the watches offered by Eus did net all come from Geneva
Watches are made by artisans in Switzerland
Of eyery quality and & Price ,9d Sf5en by ESmen n
or fTee fosether DISTINGUISHED by special brand
The stock was obtained BY Elias from leweier IN
Madenlane, whose name Is Withheld Tor the present,
and IRON numbers Of pawn shops throughout the coun-
try This merchant bought and imported all the re.
the different shops OF switzerland. There are watches
made there which be landed in tins country duty
Ella. is composed When thay we're landed, Elas took
OF the importing jewellers hands and opened ms
secured states and pawnorokers' shops, and has
or a Irrge number of gold watches bought Of Elias,
ana carried to leading jewellers to be appr1iled none
have been found TO exceed SiN caras Many OF them run
guaranteed be from twelve TO eighteeen caIats The
silver watches have been found upon eA lnatOn 10 De
. aed The gold watches, whchtre only from three TO
ex carats also 1led. Two lady schooteachers,
Saturday morning bought gold Watches and nndihe oGt
that they shamefully swindled, took them back
They we're referred 10 large piacId upon tne M wan,
which announced that " No GOODS are e1ehaged alteI
once leaving the store. one young man bought SILVER
watch paving So and found that the was OF lead
The works Of those watches are of the most Inferior
character. ana were evidently made by apprentices
ELIAss LAWYER.
The mpuGen scheme OF Elias 10 induce Credulous per
sons 10 buy the worthless tmekeepcrs of the Geneva
Watch Company, by Of mock raI 70 establish the
reputation watches In police court, was related
III THE TRIBUNE OF Saturday In that tIinl the sham
prisoner was in hs efforts TO be convicted Of in
gratitude in smashing case glass or the DeueYOent
watch COMPANY 10y the crossquestoning Of lawyer for
the defense who revealed snglary Intense desire to
the Court. AN Witnesses having been examined, this
LAWYER appealed o the magistrate 10 have mercy upon
course" by the Infamous hes OF The TRIBUNE,
asserting that tine watches sold by the treat
Geneva Company" were made OF base metal
whereas mad been proved on tts trial, as lie was gad
10 hear that the watch sold 10 the prisoner was o good
metal as an effect OF this pathetic appeal the smashing
of tho glass was forgiven by the generous Elias the com
plant dismissed by the magistrate ana the sham pms
oner given decOy watch. On the following morning
the lawyer entered THE TKIBuSE oihce and demanded
that HE TRIBUNE should reract Its assertion, that tle
counsel for the defendant had nCautousy betrayed his
interest in matter by trying 10 brbe THE TRIBrNE to
publish full account Of the case" The CITY Editor
| skedt he
10 DO although wloded that he the counsel
referred 70 in article to which he took exception
The repOrter keeps slip OF paper inscribed win inc
| name of the sham lawyer, \. sanfOrd-63
| WilIiarn-sf written by hs own hand at the time
he aftennted 10 influence his report The honesty OF
Mr. sDfor,s indignatJn may be Inferred roh the lict
that he not only endeayOred 10 brl0e lIE iIkIbUNb
reporter 10 report the Elias IN fu but ne also a
uracLed The H6rud reporter on the same SUBJECT ontr
ng To- pay hm in advance That the lawyer OF Pris-
on,r arrested on the petty charge OF breaking glass
shoId wish the ca fully reported, when the only erect
Of uubcaon would he to disgrace his client ana auNer
tist svindlng watch company II certainly myste9ur.
Mr. SANFORD was that nothing frtner snouu ne
laid about the disgraceful AFFAIR, ana lHL lhlbuhE
would have remained silent had ne not MADE threats Vi
nersopaI violence against the reporter III thereIoe
takes this occasion 70 say again that ne attempted 10
hrhe fs Reporter and that The Herald. And more
aver TIE IkIBuNE means 10 expose all others VINO ap
! proach its reporters Ike manner
| -
ARREST OF sWINDLER.
John Ross, a labOrer, age 80, arrived III TINS