The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-18
L CorrspondeSceo OF thesBultim6re sum-
Aifc6an swafttIinEA arfiIy I'm.
&fsss sayO9susa. F%

sWAsHxaros, JaIy 1867: james u. Living
ston altds Van Ness, tue venerable swinder
and confidence operator who was arrested
10 Richmond, Va, on Saturday last, for at.
Tempting tofperpstrate series 1ofisWindles.
on number OF persons there by represent
ing hfmseH to-be- the-agent ef-G Cornelius
Vanderbilt, of New York. has operated to
some extent in this section of the country.
With bis wife and laughter handsome
young lady, be arrived in Bladensburg about
three weeks ago. He was o fluent talker.
and soon ingratiated himself into the conf
dence Of number of persons here. he
freely displayed drafts signed by Mr.. Van
derbilt, one Of which was for S27 900. He
had also on hand a quantity OF drafts for
smaller amounts, some Of which he managed
to negotiate. He also showed paper, pur-
porting to be signed by Mr.. Vanderbilt, au-
tboriziug him TO make purchases to any
amount and such as his judgment would die.
tate. They secured rooms ut the Washing
ton House and had many callers. Van Ness
complimented the country very highl :, and
said he would have to advise Mr., Vanderbilt
to purchase largely. He told his callers that
he intended erecting several mills upon the
branch of the Potomac running by Bladens.
burg, and that he had an idea of erecting
large hotel near the Spa Spring. As con-
Sc queuce much attention was paid to the dis
tinguisbed gentleman, and Mr.. Richardson,
the proprietor of the hotel, did not press
him for his bill. 1t was currently rumored
that he had purchased nearly half of Bladens-
burg, and he seemed to be peculiarly struck
with the country and scenery. He purchased
several small tracts Of land, but had not
completed the arrangement when pressing
business, he said, called him to Richmond.
for which he left on Tuesday last. Before
he left, however, be borrowed about 3lOO-
$50 from four different persons.
He left his wife and daughter at the hotel.
Mr.. Richardson informed the ladies yester-
day that they would haye to secure other
quarters, and requested that his bill (Sl25)
be paid but the women said they were COM
pIetely out of funds, though they expressed
their willingness to leave their three heavy
trunks az security. This morning Mrs. Lily.
ipyston received u letter from the counsel OF
her husband in Richmond, asking her to
come down, aud soon she with her daughter
started to Washington, saying they would
walk all the way II they could not raise su1h'
cent money to pay their passage on the cars.
Arriving at Washington, they called at po-
lice headquarters for aid to get them to Rich
mond. informing Detective Coemes OF their
circumstances. This evening, it is thought,
they left Washington for Richmond.
Detective Coomes came here this afternoon
and searched the trunks OF the parties. Seve-
lal pairs OF nippers, tweezers, pincers, q
screw.driver, a number of keys, two small
hammers, and other instruments used in do
nestle economy and hotel sharp practice,
were found, Us also great quantity OF books
and papers. Mr.. Coomes took an inventory
of the articles, but took none away. Papers
found in the trunks indicate that the trio
have recently operated in St. LOUISIANA other
western cities.
The women have somewhat the air of pro-
fessionaLs. and though at first they appeared
to be little frightened upon hearing OF the
arrest OF the man, have since borne an indie
pendent demeahor, being confident, to use
their own words, "that everything Will
come out straight US strlng." They refuse
to speak much oil their history, aud appear
to be considerably crestfallen. A farmer
drove into Bladeusburg this afternoon With
fine pair Of borseS, which he said Colonel
Van Ness had ordered last week, and was
surprised to hear OF the colone's present
condition.