The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-28
MERCHANTS MULcTED.
The Detectives Hunt Down q Criminal Caught
in the Acr-A Confding Clerk-And Little
Experience-Stopping the Career OF
an Accomplished Swindler.

'MajOr" Warren, alias H. w. Keller was arrested
yesterday afternoon by Detectives Srmington ana
Farley, charged with having obtained money aud
goods from several merchants In the city under
false pretenccs. Warren, it appears, went into the
store Of w. G. Browning & Co., ON Broadway, and
bought about 900 worth OF goods, telling the PEG
pie he was q merchant from WO0dvlle, Miss.
One OF the clerks employed by that firm, named
George W. LangfOrd, waited upon the pretending
merchant and afterwards lent him 500 upon
check. His object In presenting the check was, ne
said to get little ready money, for he had only
just arrived in town and had no time to
get to bank TO get his largers drafts
cashed. Mr. Langford, no doubt thinking he had
good customer, and wishing to oblige him. lent
him the 500 and took the worthless paper.
Although he has lost his money he has gained In
experience that which will prove equal to tbs
amount expended. Besides the 800 belonging Ia
de o clerk the Major managed to carry OF suit
to Browning 4 Co. These, he said to the
and he would take them with him. Strange to say
the people in the store were confding enough to
give him the goods upon his word. After examu.
came to the conclusion he was not all right.
and member OF the firm was sent 20
gentleman patiently listened to the merchants
story, and saying to him, 'That Is very old game.
I but Will no %st can S for
Irving, OF the detective force. This gentleman had
scarcely left the Central Office when half a dozen
complaints Of the same nature poured in, and
Captain Irving saw 1t would be necessary to give
the case in charge to two of his most able and en-
siinington were entrusted with the matter ana
IN PURSUIT OF THE swINDIER
1t was exceedingly difficult to get on the trail OF
the man, for he seems to be endowed with the fac
uty of being able to cover up his tracks, but aftef
good deal OF labor they succeeded and yesterday
ran him to earth. The greater part OF the nighl
before last spent by the detectives visiting the
various hotels In the city for Keller. This they ala
because they had received information he was
about to leave New York Tor Baltimore at once.
About four O'Clock In the morning they heard
something OF his whereabouts and started for tho
house. Knowing from information they had re-
ceived the man was In the place, and feeling cer-
Farley went to the Central ONCE and LETT Detective
Limington to watch the house. Mr.. Keller towards
her to the Libby House to Breakfast ana then
started down town in coach to do a little bus.-
ness.
The ynx-eyed limb of the law was at his heels
and followed him from store to store, until at last.
getting him in exactly the position he wanted
in College place. The Major showed fight, but ha
mistook his man and soon measured his length
the detective put handouts upon him and
then marched him to the conveyance
Way he 6egsed not 70 let the
lady see him, as she knew nothing OF the matter
and was completely innocent. The officer. however.
would not listen to his statement and both were
driven to police headquarters. superintendent
delighted to see an old friend like the "MajOrn
that that gentleman was C0nfided to tho
care Of Captain Irving While Detective Limington
and the major" were In the store two men, prOba-
bly, confederates of the Major" walked up to the
window OF the carriage and asked the woman to
hand out the "Major's' leather bag, as he wanted
it, She did so, and they walked OF. The police
say this man has been at the same sort OF
thing for years. and Is regular adept al
that kind of swindlinq. A large number or COM
plants now In the hands of Captain Irving
against him, and Ii Is surmised he has been able to
appropriate thousands OF dollars worth OF prop
erty both in this city and Philadelphia The arrest
is most important one, and the officers will take
their prisoner before Judge Hogan at the Tombs
this morning when number Of merchants win be
ready to appear against him.