The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-02

CONFIDENCE GAME-How RicHAoND Co
LoRED MAN WAS SwISDLED.--A swfndle Of
rather an extensive character has just oc-
CURED in this city, which falls heavily upon
the victim, colored man by the name Of
James Turner, who had been previously en-
gagged in the tobacco business,
About month ago William Hall (colored),
the swindler, came to this city from The
North, with his wife, and established himself
in clearinghouse UP town kept br a man
named Burweu. .Hnll made himself quite at
home, and informed Burwel that he had
$4,000, and wanted to go into business here.
In reply, Burwell told him that Turner
wanted to be reestablished in business; and
that he had no doubt that a cosparthership
could be formed between the two and they
were accordingly introduced. After some
preliminary conversation Hall informed iTur-
ner that it would be necessary for him to go
to North Carolina, as his $4,000, which was
in gold, was in that State; and go he pre-
pared to start of after it, after an agreement
that $4,000 should be the amount put into
the concern by each partner. I,ra r.-- @..
About week ago Turner, who had been
unable to raise more than So, 800, received a
telegram from Hall; dated Petersburg, in
forming him that all was right, and that he
must come over. 1t is proper to state just
here that they were. to purchase allot Of to-
bacco at a sale which was to take place In
Petersburg. . ...r .-,.sr.
Turner took his $1,000, and, giving por-
ton of it to his son, the two went over to
the Cockade city to meet the would-be part
ner. On their arrival at the depot In that
city they found Hall IN waiting, who pro-
posed that they should stop at, a house in
which he had engaged quarters for his partner,
who. as he had expected, had arrived by the
afternoon train, Turner, however, had had
some experience Mt this hoiise before, and de-
cidcd that he could make himself and his son
more comfortable in private quarters:
| On their way up town, however, the party
stopped at Halls quarters to get a drink. 1t
| was here that Hall had his trunk, which the
unfortunate Turner supposed to contain
the gold. Indeed, he was the more con-
yincrd. for Hall took him into his own room
| and there showed him his baggage, and from
its weight seemed to be as represented. The
swindler appeared more than anxious to eX'
llibit its contents to his partner. just as lie
proposed to do so, however, the proprietor
of the house suddenly came in, and their
private confab caine to an end. Night had
now come, and Turner was compelled to re-
turn to Richmond to look after his family
Taking out his $1,000, which he had sew
ed up in his own and his sons cloth
ing, he transferred it to Hall and told
| him to buy tue tobacco at the sale the next
morning on the best terms he could, and
then come OH to Riclmond: The. trunk was
turned over to the father and Son and
brought on to Richmond. Turner, it seem
cd, felt sure that if Hall wasn't all right ht
would be SECURE, for the trunk was in hi
possession, and in it was the gold. Attel
reaching home the son proposed that they
should look into the mysterious trunk anc
see what it contained. When it was opened
to their horror it was found to be full O
shucks and cobble-stoncs.
The loss was Immediately made known a
detective headquarters. and an officer startet
off on the 4: NJ. train the next morning il
search of the swindler; but Hall, it seems
must have LETT Petersburg just about tht
time that Turner started for this city. Ant
this is the last that has been heard Of him.