The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-09
A BIG SWINDLE.
A Spectator in a New Role.
He Alters Checks to the Tune
of $4,000, etc.

Wednesday morning, as the clans OF bulls
and bears" began to gather for an active days
campaign on the flags of Carondelet street,
there came the startling information, which
at first was only rumored, but gradually
gained strength with its oft-repeated tale,
that one amongst their number, certain
Spectator, j. Weidner by name, has gone in
heavy on the defalcation principle, and had
stuck more than one party for considerable
sums of money.
No sooner had the information reached the
BULLETIN Office than reporter rushed for
"our Wall Street." and after interviewing
those parties from whom his judgment die
tated the correct particulars should be OBJ
tanned, he gathered together the following
facts:
MIR. j. Weidner, who for some years past
has been extensively engaged specializing in
securities, and from the magnitude of his
TRANSACTIONS and the prompt and correct
manner in which he always came to time, had
gained the confidence Of many, had appa-
rently grown weary of making money slowly
and surely, and conceived the brilliant idea Of
making 'sbig lick with one stroke of the
pen.
For some time past he had gone in heavy on
pledge loans, and not having the where
with-all" to redeem the same, he fixed it up
on his victims in the following manner: He
first drew a check on the Hibernia National
Bank for $38, leaving a blank space to fill in,
if necessary. This check he had certified and
presented the same to Mr.. J. Strauss Of Com
mon street, to redeem his pledges and securi-
ties, not, however, drawn to the amount certi-
G1l 1~,,k e.
on his part for him to change check for
$38 to $500.
Finding that this plan was successful, and
his villainy not discovered, he drew two more
checks on the same bank, which he had certi-
fled, Ons for $41 so, to the order Of Peter
Hellwege, and one for ST., to the order of
Leon Godcheaux. These checks he transmog-
riied into $415O and $71OO.
OF course they were received by his all-con-
fiding creditors in good faith, for the guaran-
tee of the Hbernia Bank, OH which they were
safeguard These latter checks were de-
posted by Hellwege and Godchaux in the
Union National Bank, while the former was
placed for collection by Mr.. Strauss in the
Germania National Bank
It was not until after the checks had been
passed through the Clearing House in the
regular clearings yesterday morning and were
paid by the Hibernia Bank, that the fraud
was discovered. The bank officers imme-
diately took steps in the premises, and the
moneys were then refunded by Godchaux,
Hellwege and Strauss under protest
From information received, our reporter
also understood that the firm Of F. S. Stock
mayer & Co. had suffered q loss at Weidner's
hands Of $39A. Tuesday afternoon he pre-
scented them a check for that amount to re-
deem q note which was due. The check was
drawn to his own order, but, as he neglected
to indorse the same, it was worthless in the
hands of Stockmeyer 4 Co. Only too late did
they discover this fact.
On Tuesday morning last, Weidner de-
posted in the Hibernia checks to the amount
Of the ones he drew against the bank. On
presentation for payment, these deposited
checks were found to be worthless, and the
individual who drew them had also absconded.
His name we did not ascertain.
Godchaux, Hellwege, Strauss and StOckmey-
er 4 Co. have, in a few words, been left by a
Spectator who had an eye to the main chance,
and who, no doubt, by this time is far away,
with a pocket full of Louisiana securities.
He has departed for lands unknown
Every precaution has been taken by the
aggrieved parties to arrest his steps, and it is
to be hoped that he will be caught and pun
ished as he deserves.
With the exception of Mr.. Peter Hellmege,
all Of Weidners other creditors are well
known, being men reported to be in affluent
Mr. Hellmege himself is a |
young and energetic man, who not later than
a year since, started in on his own hook as a
broker. His loss he can but poorly sustain,
but it is to be hoped that his activity and
business experience will carry him substan-
TALLY through.
A man of quiet and sedate habits, Weinder
would, e,, passdnt, attract but little attention.
Apparently about thirty years of age, he was
in height about five feet ten and half inches
Blonde hair and small moustache, together
with a ford complexion, will complete his
description as we saw him last. some months
since. He was by birth a native of this city, |
but his parentage was German