The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-18
A CONFIDENCE GAME.
A shrewd One Attempts TO ''BuH.
Doze- City Jeweler-But Is
Counted Out by the Pc.
H. Rnnr

lice Returning Board.
One of the neatest swlndles that has
been attempted in this city for many
day came within an ace of beng perpe-
trated upon Mr. G. P. Brown, the jew
eler, on last Friday night. 1t occurred
in this way: A gentleman OF neat ad-
dress stepped into Mr.. Browns store on
Tuesday last, and in a pleasant way
asked Mr.. b. if he knew him. ayes"
said Mr.. Brown, .'you are Mr.. McMurrsy.
l remember you well" The compliments
of the day were passed, and McMurrsy
called mp old recollections 1t aF-
pesrs he was raised here) and
a general good talk took place. just
beiore departing, Nc Murray remarked
that the secretary OF an Insurance com
pany of Chicago, named Colby, intended
to present him (McMurray) with gold
watch for extra and faithful services ne
had performed, and if Mr.. Brown had
watch in his assortment that suited MIN,
he would rather patronize an old friend,
and would try to induce Mr.. Colby to
make his purchase here and therefore
requested an inspection OF the stock. MT.
Brown was OF course gratliied at the
chance of selling watch, and proceeded
with slacrity TO display the goods. 1t
only took q few moments .or the stsuDcn
friend to decide that the watch he wanted
WAS there. In fact there were two,
one worth 500 and the other sos,
either OF which would suit him. Fur
Their plesssnt talk ensued and McMur-
raw disappeared. He returned the next
day and the next, making excuses that
Mr.. Colby was i'll at his hotel, 1.-THE
Grant House) and could not get down 10
examine the watches and make the pur-
chase. Finally on Friday night last
little after eight O'clock, in came Mr..
McMurray and very nicely and skillfully
represented to Mr.. Brown that MIR.
Colby was still indispCsed. He (Colby)
had had much to do that day, Was very
much fatigued and the weather was SO
cold that be thought it best for HIM not
to leave his room. Therefore II MIR.
Brown would entrust to him McMur-
raw both watches to convey to MIR.
Colby in order 10 make selection,
he would return them in the morning
with the necessary instructions IN regard
to the inscription, initials, &c, that
should be engraved on the time piece
selected. Mr.. Brown, while passing
around the counter rapidly reviewed in
his mind this unbusiness like procedure,
and as quickly made up his mind to let
the man have the watches and take the
chances, at the same time determining to
keep his eye on mis- patron. The chro-
nometers were nicely rubbed. their NUM-
bers taken, Ge,icatalv placed in their
little bags and landed to McMurray, who
passed out of the store and up street at
brisk pace. Mr.. Brown donned his hat
and was out in the street in quick time.
A mutual acquaintance near by gave
Mr.. b. some additional information de-
rogatorv to the character OF McMurry,
which accelerated the jewelers. action
considerably. Officer Baird's assistance
was secured, and the two rapidly posted
TO the Grant House where they ascer-
tanned that no such gentleman as Mr..
Colby was stopping there. The question
WAS then asked if one VIM. McMurray
was guest of the house. The polite
clerk stated in reply that such person
had been there, but in consequence OF u
desire on the part of the proprletors to
exact settlement the party had depart
ed. Mr.. Brown was now convinced that
a swindle was being attempted. So
with excellent presence OF mind
he instructed Officer Baird to hasten
over to Bridgeport and keep sharp
lookout for McMurray, who might have
proceeded thiIher 10 board the Z. X L.
train due at Bellaire at nine o'clock.
Mr.. Brown then hurried down to City
Sergeant Davis quarters and requested
the services of Officer St. Myers, who
personally knew McMurrsy,to watch the
lO:3O b. Il q. train for the west. St.
Movers was secured at the Opera House
and instructions given. About 10 o'clock
or shortly after, Mr.. Brown thought be
would saunter down TO the depot. Just as
ne turned Che corner of Market and Four
teenth street. whom should he see opposite
the Opera House saloon, OF all others,
the very individual he was seeking.
There he stood, with officer st. Myers
hand on his shoulder, in such manner
that plainly indicated the situation. Mr..
Brown stepped up, and the prisoner no
sooner saw him than he Indignantly in
Quired "what this proceeding meant2
hr. b. simply stated that he took the
precaution, after he had departed with
the watches, to inquire if Mr. C'lby was
stopping NJ the Grant House, AID upon
nscertaining that 10 such uar Was there,
he thought il proper to gain possession
Of his property, ard noiy requested
McMurrsy to hanc over the ''tlckers.
The would-be rec pient Of a gold
watch promptly returned the property,
with some explanation MS to mlsunder'
standing, which appeared SO thin to Of
liccr st. Meyers that he seemed very 10th
to release the man. and Mr.. Brown had
to positively assert that he wanted moth
ing further to Go with the prisoner before
The officer sent him adrlft.
The above are the full details of the
affair AS received from Mr.. Brown him.
self We are thus particular in relating
the matter so that our merchants gener-
ally may be on their guard against all
such attempts at being swindled. The
gentleman whom We have devoted SO
much space was still in the city yester-
day.