The Republican journal., 1875-03-04
A Clerical SwindIer Unmarked,

New YORK, FEB. % The Times de-
scribes the remarkable career of an alleg-
ed swindler. whose willy operations have
for long time been puzzling the authori-
ties here. Some time ago it was discover
ed that the sawdust swindlers were opera
ting through the Post Office. More than
a dozen swindling schemes were found in
active operation. The dishonest officials
were permitted to silently steal away, as
their conviction as mail depredatOrS was
impossible. The man whose rascalities
have made him the latest victim of official
surveillance is D. G. Ormsby, whose only
recognition to official favor has been his
three-mile prayers and his half-mile graces.
By sheer impudence and persistence he
imposed on the most distinguished Of our
clergymen, editors and merchants-im-
portuned the PRESIDENT and pushed himself
into the position of Superintendent of Sta
ton d in this city, the eighth largest Post
Office in the United States. The Man in
the Iron Mask" was not more of a mystery
than was this clerical office-holder to all
the politicians, until gentleman recog-
nlzed him as an ex-Chaplain of the army,
who had absented himself from his regi-
ment without leave. Nothing was heard
| of him atterward by the officers OF his reg
| iment, but it appears be came North and
obtained commission as Chaplain from
President Lincoln, and was sent out to
Gen Thomas's army
At the termination of the war he return
ed to this city. His first appearance in the
civil service was as clerk to a Custom
House wegher Here he was detected in
some dishonest practices, and was turned
out Nothing abashed, he sought out va
rious gentlemen of the Union League Club,
and recounted the trials he had passed
through by field and flood. His objective
point was, this time, the Post Office. He
had all the outward appearance ofa clergy
man, always wearing black gloves and Il
white cravat. One Of his first calls was
on Rev. DR.. Bellows To this gentleman
he told piteous and heartrending tale,
and succeeded in obtaining a strong letter
commencing him to the President. With
this in his possession, he called on Jackson
S. Schultz, Peter Cooper, William Cullen
Bryant, Dexter A Hawkins, William
Hoppin, William f. Dodge, John Coch-
rane and other well-known gentlemen.
Notwithstanding he was stranger to all
OF them, they each yOuched for him with
out any hesitation. A distressed clergy
man, without pulpit, thrown on the cold
charities of great city, excited their
most earnest sympathies, He iourneyed
to Washington, saw the President, and
securing an appointment As clerk in the
Post Office he soon atterWard wa, promut-
ed to the best position in the Postmaster7
gift.
But Il short time after taking charge ot
the station he was detected by his suborl-
mates in an irregularity and he was rr.
IL IA
him He represented to his patrons thai
this was a conspiracy that had been form
ed against him because of his religious
creed. 1t 50 happened that his deputy
who framed the charges, was Il Catholic.
and that circumstance was urged by
Ormsby in his behalf He proceeded to
Washington, and the authorities there
were led to believe Ormsby the victim OF
conspiracy, and Postl-asteraencral
Creswell ordered the "retired Clergyman
restored to his office, while those who had
''conspred" against him were dismiss
ed soon after this another irregularity oc-
Cured and another investigation was or
dered, which, however resulted in the
complete vindicatiOn of the clerical office
holder. Several times during his official
career he was confronted by his old com
rades in arms and accused Of deserving his
regiment but he always denied his identj-
ty But fate at last brought this impnSter
to Srio4 1t was discovered that the saw
dust operators continued to receive large
quantities OF letters 1t appeared that the
principal swindlers hadeit'tctedau arrange
ment with Ormsby and two other officials
whereby they We're to have their letters
delivered to them cIaulestueiy, and Orms-
by delivered them by hundreds at mid
night But soon the saWdust men discover
ed that Ormsby was in the habit OF extract
ing portion Of the money contained in
the letters, and one of them forthwith cN-
posed the Gospel pretcuder lie and his
coniederates fell into the trap that was set
tor them, being caught with the evidences
OF their guilt in their possession. They
were taken on to Washington, and there
this clergyman went back on his coutGder-
ates, still persisting in charging that the
whole thing was II conspiracy After
this exposure he was ignonniousIy dis
missed and the climax Of this miscrcant'1
meanness was reached, when he request
ed the return Of gold watch and chain
that he had presented to- the wife of one,
who, through mistaken zeal, had shielded
him i'll his villainy