The New York herald., 1874-07-17
HEAVY CONFIDENCE OPERATIONS.
Story of a Visit to Richmond by
Bogus Agent of Cor
nelius Vanderbilt.
EXTENSIVE INVESTMENTS MADE.
The Commodore's Name FORGED for Half a
Million Of Dollars-Arrest and Ex-
animation Of the Forger.
RICHMOND, Va, July IL, 1874.

This CITY s periodically visited by vagabonds OF !
every grade known to the extensive criminal call |
endar OF the country from the mean sneak thief |
and pckpocket to the highest proficient in the art
Of forging and swindling; but, owing to an eX- !
empary police force and sharp corps OF detec- !
tives, this class of expert gentry seldom make |
their raids here profitable. They are soon
"spotted alter their arrival. and If II { locked up
at once they receive quiet mtimation to 90 and
stand not upon the order OF their going, hint
they generally take in the agreeable and
prompt manner. The latest OF these individuals
who honored Richmond with a visit Tor a while
somewhat puzzled the officers by the magnitude OF
his proposed operations and by the bland. but
effectively businesslke and bold course he
adopted.
MR.. JAMES 4. VAN NESS
made his debut here about week ago registering
himself from New York at one OF The leading hotels
After eIsurely acquainting himself thoroughly with
the various ranuiacturlng establishments OF the
citv and the nature of the respective enterprises
In which they were engaged, he next proceeded TO
introduce himself to some of the leading merchants
aud business men. He was not long in Ingratlat-
ing himself into the favor OF Mr.. William II. Cow
ardin, a large insurance and bank officer, as the
trusted and absolute agent OF no less person
than Commodore C. Vanderbilt. Of New York. He
stated that lie came at the express instance OF
Mr.. Vanderbilt, to make certain investments in
Richmond, principally IN Touring mis ana other
manufacturing establishments. He was most
cordially welcomed by Mr.. Cowardin,
VINO expressed himself highly honored at
being the recipient OF this preliminary
call, adding that he would deem It only TOO great
pleasure to aid the gentleman in any way that
was possible, and was otherwise proluSe ana
assduous In his attentions. The distinguished
visitor took these compliments and attentions as
/ nf nnI han ma tn
actual business affairs. he somewhat astonisned
Mr.. Cowardin by the knowledge he evinced OF the
various manu- actorles OF the CITY, II the latter
gentleman ever entertained any doubts az to the
honesty Of his VISITORS motives, which he did not
up to tnat time, they were now dspened and he
invited
THE AGENT OF MR. VANDERBILT
| to take a ride with him in his buggy to examine
some of the property he proposed to purchase.
This the agent readily agreed to, and MI. COwardin
spent the greater portion of the day in exhibiting
the mills and factories OF tue city to the distin
guished representative OF vast capital and in en-
| planning to him the rising business prospects Of
R.chmond-a theme Its worthy merchants never
tire ol-ineyitably winding up with the remark,
| When they had made the tour Of the city, MI.
| Cowardn invited his guest TO dine, which he at
first emDhatcally declined. but afterwards was
| forced to accept, and prominent restauT ant
keeper was ordered TO serve up a sumptuous re-
|
! cussing this me that MIR. Van Ness casually eX-
hihited to the astonlshed eyes OF his host a
CERTIFIED CHECK on C. VANDERBILT,
on New York bank, in avor OF HIM Wan Ness)
for 500. 600, then another and another, until MIR.
He 1 no rea
OF the ''agent'', and they separ rated, and 1t was
not for sometime afterwards that Mr.. COwardln's
eyes became opened so lar as even 10 question
himself whether y would not be right TO ascertain
Ness Ssw was reay w what ne hse
be. This much light having dawned upon MIN he
determined 10 use the wires and satisfy himself as
| TO the real or bogus character OF Van Ness. Bat
before he did, however, that enterprising agent
and representative of the Commodore's capital
ceedea in closing agreement with Messrs.
Walker 4 saunders, OF Manchester for the pur-
chase OF their Touring mills located IN that
serprising little manufacturing town. There was
not much banter or cavil about the price. Van
proposed to purchase. ana after conference be-
| tween the partners as TO terms, &C., the latter
manser mann entirely Satisfactory to ali concerned
Pushing bis spirit OF enterprise he next VISITED
s wtn ew 70 se
! men refused to sell even to such a great man
Commodore Vanderbilt. Not content yet and de-
THE PROSPERITY OF RICHMOND
by Investments he next visited the President and
and after Introducing himself, he proposed
/ likewise 10 purchase their establishment. Here
! quite prolonged discussion took place between
the onicers OF the company ana Van Ness. They
could not agree as to certain conditions which the
amount to be paid, but at length they came to
/ conditional agreement to entertain his PROPOSE
tion, and tins ended the investments Of Commo-
| dore Venderbilt's agent in Richmond.
! In the course of his financial perambuatiOns
/ Van Ness was introduced to Messrs. Goddin and
! Apperson, two OF the leading wealthy real estate
agents IN the city, and alter the usual common
place remarks Van Ness said:-
ats very not down here, excessively so."
Yes said Mr. Goddin, 't is, but no hotter than
'.Oh,r said Van Ness, ,.'yes 1t is; there you can
eniOy Yourself better. Neev (meaniDQ COfueluSl
! and l used to ride out, take basket OF cham
the me very
Pausing ior moment as II contemplating with
rapture the pleasant hours o, he h had spent with
dog. Can't get him to anything. very lazy dog;
oSt namor him .Io in IT, Hes good fellow after
nnanca c Gea 81 VAN Van n and
and have cheek OF his for $4,000 cashcd at the
time any OF them would nave done so with alacrity.
These took 0s oR e
worthy Van Ness came to grief 1t should be
stated, however, that in all mis- negotiations he
payment, but had merely exhibited them AS well
as power OF attorney OF Commodore Vanderbilt
authorizing him to purchase certain property in
this city TO tho amount OF $s00,000. Mr. Cowardin
having telegraphed to hls correspondent IN New
| York TO ascertain whether Van Ness was the
! authorized agent OF Commodore Vanderbilt TO
purchase extensive Touring mills here received
/ In reply the Information that that person was
AN IMPosroR AND swINDLER.
| His 'Httle game,n as exposed, turned out to be
! as lollows:-Aiter the purchase OF the mills he
would then call upon Mr.. Cowardin to cash one OF
his cnecks TO. make payment. The check once
| cashed, Van Ness would be non est. and the hap
| less banker would be minus the amount paid
probably $4,000 or 100000. As soon as Mr.
CowaIdn had received the despatch from New
| YOrK he lost no time in informing Chief OF Delec-
tives Knox, who, having his suspicious previously
aroused about Van Ness, at once made oatn
charging him with forgery and with endeavoring
to utter forged paper. Upon this affidavit war.
rant lor the arrest OF Van Ness was issued, and
Ofiicers Knox and Wren proceeded TO the hotel
where he was stopping, but found him aosent.
they called again, however, and were received
with the most 'chlldlike and band' smile that Van
Ness could give. He expressed no surprise at MS
arrest, but told the officers they were too quick
and that he wanted q lawyer, and showed tnat he
was an old nand In the forgery and swindling
business. When searched the oi1cers found upon
HIM q large bunch of burglars keys, numbering
about tWenrY-iYe in all several being safe