The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-02
Jeremy Diddler.
Swindling as a Fine Art.

For some days past the quiet under cur
rent Of society has been considerably accel-
Grated by circumstances which have gwen
gossips more than a nine days pleasure. In
December last there arrived here certain
w. Barton Richards, Of Baltimore, who was
the fortunate possessor Of a suavity OF man
ner and oily tongue which in short time,
effected his entire in quite large and re-
spectacle circle Of the residents OF the
Fourth District. From what we have
CLEANED, it appears this Richards left the
Monument City short time since under
circumstances somewhat similar, and with
the same reputation that Butler left our
city, only that Butler did not leave here
wife and numerous children, and Richards
did in Baltimore.
He claimed to be of good family, and to
those with whom he was thrown i'll contact
produced letters of recommendation from
prominent men in Philadelphia, New York
and Baltimore. More than this, he ingra-
tiated himself into the esteem and goodwill
of our business men on the name OF his
uncle, who is well known merchant up
town. and held himself out as a thorough
business man. The first step necessary to
his introduction into the commercial world
was Of course the opening OF an office, which
he at once set about, and letting room
over Keep, Hogan & Galways, ON Canai
street, Richards commenced his career. 1t
assSrincipally to mechanics that he de-
-. aud rIu
talking patents and inventions until his
smooth tongue induced well known young
man of our city to enter into partnership
with him.
Matters went along well enough until
sale of machinery was made to the Pensa-
cola and Louisville Railroad, and certain
parties were as badly sold as the machinery.
Dawn began to break, and 10 curtain was
raised on the last act of that old drama OF
"The Artful Dodger." 1t was discovered
that Richards has swindeled number OF
houses here, amongst whom was IL. d. Cole
man, w. p. Smith, who drives wells, but
who did not drive well in this instance,
Messrs Schwartz & Keep Hogan 4 Galway.
These gentlemen suffered for hardware and
machinery bills, but A. B. Griswold enjoyed
this new act Of Richard to the tune OF
handsome gold watch and Mr.. Miller, pat
eptee of the Coal Oil Rectifier, of ninety dol
lars in currency.
Of course the office had to be furnished,
and James A. Gresham came in for letter
press and Palmer & Co. for mating and
nfch
surrounded by hardware, he next put Oh
one of Valentines porous hats, and some
more money, and considered himself duly
installed in society and business. Hotels,
boarding houses and grocery stores each
responded to his wants, and it is said
bushel basket of bills was left where his
Office was, yesterday afternoon.
Outside of commercial circles this Rich
ards was equally successful His bon
homme was peculiarly attractive to the
ladies. and, like second Don Juan, he de-
voted his spare time to the more enjoyable
employment Of making conquests. He sue
ceeded in getting $3.50 in warrants ont OF
poor school teacher, and then endeavored
to Justify his conduct. 1t is current that
his connection with several ladies in the
Fourth District has been exceedingly init
mate, and gossip has been busy with the
affair.
The uncle, when he discovered the char
acter of his strollipg nephew. ordered him
out of his house, and so the matter re-
mained until two gentlemen Of the Fourth
District, hearing and knowing of his out
RACES, followed him yesterday evening and
found him near the Washington Street
Cemetery. They took him in charge, and
when opposite the drug store, corner OF St
Charles and Washington streets, they
doused him in the gutter and pummeled
him until his porous hat was mashed and
his clothing pretty well ruined. The last
seen of him he was making for the swamp.
We have To return orr thanks to that