The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-08-24
A Case of swindiius Extraordinary

A Case OF 6wtndiins Extraordinary.
A writer in the Independent makes a good
point, as follows:
The following is history of a remark.b,.
case of swindling, given by the New YorkIJ =
gal Journal OF Aug. 10th, which was determ,n.
ed in the court of Common Pleas last weeL
z. Q. Vatterel, a millionaire, who 1--we, m
kingly style in palatial mansion situated on
the beautiful and picturesque banks of the
Hudson, has large family, but much lar.
ger circle OF friends, whose visits are FREQUENT
and extended. Under such circumstances il
| is easy to understand that a small army of ser.
wants is required to attend to his household
affairs. That his household affairs might be
properly and economically conducted, he en-.
plOyed gentleman in chief named Tyrell
and invested him with authority to EMPLOY
all the servants and provide everything neces
sary for the use of the mansion. About the
first of last January the butcher who had sun.
piled meat for Mr.. Vatterel's mansion up to
the time that he employed Tyrell to supervise
his affairs, called on Vatterel and informed
him that his chief of household had arranged
with another party to furnish the meats for
his mansion. Mr.. Vatterel replied that if Mr..
Iyreli did so, he must have considered the
change necessary and for Mr. Vatterel's inter.
est. A few days later he had call from the
grocer and baker who had furnished supplies
IN their line previous to his having employed
Iyrell, and they were treated with the same
indifference which he had shown the butcher,
Still confidently believing that Tyr,ell had
cause to justify him IN making the changes
shortly after the last occurrence, John Lackey,
an old and trustworthy servant called on Mr..
vatterel and told him that be had been dis
charged. "Why, john" inquired Mr.. Waiter.
Ell, what 0ftense have you committed to mer.
it your discharge" ~ called Tyrell, your
chief, d. thief, which he is" was Johns
reply. "What reason. John, have you for
thinking him thief z" again inquired Mr..
Vatterel. Because" replied John, "he has
discharged pretty much all of the old servants,
and filled their places either with relations or
others who would pay him something to give
them places" Mr.. Vatterel asked John no
more questions, but went Immediately and
employed detective to work up the case.
The detective soon reported that John Lack
ey's statement in relation to employing serv-
ants was true and that most OF the servants
employed by Tyrell were dishonest He also
found that the grocer had paid Tyrell one
hundred dollars as a consideration for tue pri-
vilege of furnishing all the groceries needed
at the Vat.erel mansion for. IL months. For
like consideration, it was found, the butcher
had paid him fifty dollars, and the baker
made him present of watch and cham val.
ued at forty dollars. 1t was also found that
these men, to make up for the bonus given to
Tyrell, had charged exorbitant prices tor all
goods furnished. Mr.. Vattere bad Tyrell ar
rested immediately, and the case coming up in
court and the facts as above stated having
been established by reliable testimony, the
jury rendered verdict of guilty 81 the feloni.
GUS acts presented IN the indictment. Before
prorOuncng sentence the judge asked the
prisoaer if he had anything to say in eXtcnua.
ton Of his unlawful acts. The prisoner rising
said : " took as my standard -: excellence
President Grant. and in conducting Mr.. Vat,
terers household asairs | followed rs nearly
as could. Grants manner IF conducting the
office of president, and | cannot understand
why peor fellow like myself should be pun
shed tor is,'s W hich are considered hosorablc
when corsmitted by our president"