Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-08-09

whole long string of knavery was brought to
lignC DY the Sheriff, who advertised some of
tne property thus manipulated by Leslie for
SAFE Careful searches Were made by mort
gagees at this time, and tile result was the
great tumult and tumbling in real estate
Inc present incumbent, MIR. Walton was call
ed upon by the Herald representative this
morning, who, after waiting some time for the
rush TO suDslde, was enabled to have a short
talk With him as regards the frauds The Re-
oorder appeared to be perfectly astounded at
the altogether sudden and unexpected denOue-
ment As for Leslie he considered him yery
shrewd man, but he never entertained the idea
That he was scroundrel that 1t would appear
ne Is. lie could give no definite estimate as to
tne amount OF the frauds, but said 1t was large
All Of this had been carried on previous to his
election to Office, and he thought It strange in
deed that his predecessor could have been SO
blinded to the real situation as to permit a man
II made no difference how respectable he was,
to make his own searches in the Office write
them out himself and have the seal OF the
once attached without the Recorder looking
over them. Since he had been in Office he said
that Leslie had approached him, and made
propositions to the effect that if allowed to
make his own searches he would make it all
right. 10 this proposition an answer was CIV
en- him in the negative, and Leslie left seem
lngly In an angry mood. 1t would require
weeks yet before
THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE sy1NDLE
would be made public The whole affair look
ed bad; and he felt seriously for the coed name
OF The city: AS it was he intended using every
Facility 10 his power towards giving informs-
tlon TO the public concerning the matter. In
his, Judgment the responsibility undoubtedly
rested with ex-Recofder Housman, He might
not have been aware Of the frauds being pfac-
Used, yet the Recorder, as a sworn officer of
the city government, could be sued and made
responsible for all losses. 1t is now understood
| that N hof nd -
and Mr. Housman may be notified at any
moment. Already j. 81. Stevenson, counsel
for one Of Leslles victims proposes TO test
TINS question at once, and has already opened
legal negotiations with Mr.. Housman' scounsel,
MIR. j. N. Brown.
The Sheriff on Monday sold seventy.fiye lots
OF Leslle's at low prices. During the day the
city has been secured in every direction for
MI. Leslie but 1t now transpires that he has
sailed for Europe, but in all probability will be
intercepted iLl. P at Liverpool: He left this city
with but 1850 in gold, and many who are init.
mately acquainted with him are Of the opinion
that his mind Is deranged
Numbers of persons
TAKEN IN AND DONE FOR"
are members Of The loan and building association
throughout the city, and they are raising Vrea
outcry. On every hand and hourly fresh victiml
are turning up, and the cry il "Still they comel'
The effect on the real estate market has beer
disastrous, as peopls deairious to purchase prop
eTty are holding back until the whole thing i
cleared up.
Business men look upon the swiudls with a.
larm, as the Wholesale tamperlng with the re-
cortland the seal is matter that is almost beyon,
cOmprehensioDs. 1t appears by the record tha
Leslie has realized within few years past some
thing like million OfdollaIs by histransaction
In real estate, and It ia not known what he ha
TsrI G., l.,
still In this city, and appear to feel deeply tn
humiliation cause by the expose. The clerk i
the Recorders Ofice with whom Leslie was 8
intimate, is on hand, but declares that he is in
nocent of any collusion with the alleged sWind
Ter, and processes willingness to vindicate hl
Innocence whenever required. It is a curiou
case on the whole, and It remains to beseen wins
disposition will be made Of il by the Legal De
partment Of the city.