Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-13

Some of our readers no doubt remember
man named Durand, who exhibited here some
time ago, "patent ducimer," which he had
for sale and found not few purchasers. OF
the merits of the instrument we cannot speak,
but we believe some people here came to the
conclusion, in spite of his agreeable manners and
pleasing address, that Durand was not quite
worthy of confidence. In Westchester, Pennsyl-
vania, they have had excellent opportunities to
know him pretty well, and here is what is said
of him by newspaper of that place;
"He was man Of pleasant address and most
nsinuating manners, and soon worked his way
into the good graces Of a number of persons.
He sang we'll, played good Accompaniment on
his "dulcimor, and gave concerts in various
parts of the country to advertise the instru-
ment, which rcsembled a harp and piano, the
metal strings which gave the sounds being
stretched in horizontal frame and played with
two small sticks.
Finally, he proposed to form company at
Kenneth square for the sale OF the "dulcimers,"
which were manufactured in Norwich, Connecti-
cut. A charter was procured, and a company
organized with capital stock of 900, which
was afterwards doubled. Mr.. Durand was SO
plausible, and the pictures he painted OF the
enormous dividends to be realized were so glow
ing that he induced numerous persons TO take
stock though we understand only about S15, 900
was paid in cash, and the balance in notes. The
company was called the Pennsylvania and Ohio
Union Dulcimer Company" and quite extensive
preparations were made. Prominent citizens
were elected president, secretary and treasurer
and vice president. The store property of Isaac
Pyle was bought by Durand for $4,000 ION which
he paid $1,000, as a StoTehOuse for the instru-
mentS. Durand was Il good salesman, and dis
posed Of a number of his "dulcimers" at prices
ranging from SS5 TO SIPS, taking pay, frequent
ly, in notes having Il long time to run, one year,
two years or more, and every thing appeared to
be progressing finely.
Durand opened an account at the national
bank of Chester county, the officers of which
made inquiry of the Norwich bank as to his
standing and received favorable reply. To OBJ
tain money he now began to bring large num-
berS of notes for discount, and had extensive
dealings with several of the brokers, paying al
most any price for accommodation. About
April or May two notes, both supposed to be
drawn by weknown ladies of the place, fell
due, aud being presented to these ladies for pay
ment, they pronounced them fOrgeres. They
denied having given notes in payment for their
ducimers for so short a time. Shortly after,
among some notes drawn by Joel Haggerty in
favor OF Durand, one was pronounced a forgery
by Mr.. Haggerty. This looked suspicious, but
Durand settled the matter by paying Off and
taking up the notes, but il hurt his credit. Still
he succeeded in dsposing of large amount of
nent citizen.
About month ago the bank received letter
from him, saying that he had moved to a town
in Lancaster county, and his letters should be
sent there. About three weeks ago a number
OF his checks on the Norwich bank, which had
heretofore been cashed, came back protested,
and person who held one began to look
Durand up, when he found that his bird had
flown. A further inquiry developed the fact
that one Of the notes he had purchased of
Durand was signed by parties who existed only
IN the mind Of the endorser. This discovery
created considerable stir among some of the
money changers, and they began TO take account
of stock. Durand left behind him horse and
wagon, which was sold by the sheriff on Satur-
day last for so, and twenty five ducimers, one
OF which sold for $3.50, and the rest are under
execution.
1t is impossible to tell as yet how great the
loss viii be. Some of the notes are undoubtedly
genuine. large number of the notes endorsed
by lady OF the place, amounting, as far as
could be learned, TO $4,000 or $4,000, are pro-
nounced iorgeries by her, and notes endorsed by
other parties are also said TO be forged The
stockho lders of the company lose the amounts
paid for their stock, and it is thought that some
OF the notes paid by them have been disposed of
by Durand. The whole amount Of the transac-
lions are from 100000 to $50, 900. Nearly every
broker in Westchesler did business with Du-
rand, and he also held notes in other places.
s"NNFh W Nhat dAhOhnl ID uOl hlDWU. III was
learned on Monday that reports had been re-
ceiYed from Connecticut that parties there had
been vlctlmlzed to the extent of $4,000"
The BALTIMORE NoMINATIoS.-The follow
ing is said TO be copy of the letter notifying
Mr. Greeley of his nomination:
BALTIMORE, July 10, 1872.
Dear Sir: 1t is our pleasure, in conformity
with the instructions Of the democratic Marty
rplFpspnfpd IN al
bled in this city, TO inform you that you have
been unanimously nominated as candidate for
the presidency of the United States. The con
yention, consisting Of seven hundred aud thirty
two delegates, representing every state and ter
riOry in the Union, adopted, without amend
ment, the declaration OF principles us formed at
Cincinnati, which has already received your
approval, and has been strengthened BY the
terms Of your endorsement. The action Of this
great body Of delegates proves that they are,
with singular unanimity, determined under
your leadership upon the patriotic duty of re-
storing purity aud integrity to The admuistra-
ton Of the government, and that Independence
IN all It's departments which regards the con-
sttution as both the source aud the limit of
federal power Laying aside the preiudices of
ihe past, abandoning all purpose Of mere par
tsan advantage, asking no pledges other than
hdeiity to tie principles TO which they have
gwen thelr deliberate aud rcsOlute adherence
ana winch they believe will command the ap-
pIoyal Of large majority of the American
peop'e, IVY ASK you to accept their nomina-
will be inauguraied with your Administrations
Signed by the committee"
iN N, OF PEksioNs.-We are requested
by the pension agent 10 state that persons ,vho
are already pensiOned at the rates of ef,"a,
twenty or twenty-five dollars, are eutited 10 the
increased rates provided by the late act Of con.
gress, without formal application and witbont