The New York herald., 1876-07-03
A PRINCE OF SWINDLERS.
COLONEL" J. DECATUR porrrr's cAnxrR-

COLONEL" j. DECATUR PoTTEIs cAREER-
LIFETIME SPENT IN BRILLIANT CRIME.
The arrest OF Terance Rice Quinn few days since by
Detectives Williamson and Ferris, of the Central ONCE,
caused the partial disruption Of one OF the Greatest
gang OF swindlers the country, the head Of which
is the notorious Colonel 'Jim" Potter. Quinn is
held for trial on several chSscs, among others that
OF swindlng Henry W. Raymond son of Henry.
Raymond formally editor OF tho New York Times out
OF his pleasure yacht, the Avalon. since Quinr's
arrest niormat on has reached the detectives which
lays bare the entire criminal career OF Potter. From
this Information appears that James Decatur Potter
now known as Colonel" jim Potter, was born IN the
Ninth ward of this CITY, During the war with Mexico
he enlisted in the First New York Volunteers On his
return in lSlS he married OF the daughters OF old
Mr. Thomas Bennett. About the same time "Ned
Bnntlne" married the second daughter Both couples
were shortly aiterward divorced In 1855 he was ar
rested and tried in the United States for forging
proofs for land warrants In this operation Captain
"Bill'' Hammoad. who TO State Prison
few days ago for swindling, was Poters
companion. Chauncey Shairer defended Potter
and OWING 10 naw in the Indictment he
escaped punishment In 1860, in conjunction with
old Tom Radclin, he swndled Dr. Roderick +. Glow, of
this city, out OF S2,5o0 RadcT was arrested, and
Potter appeared against him, and Radclia
fenced to four years and six months State Prison
RadchT Is now confined in Crow Hill Penitenliary Tor
perjury committed iu 1875. Previous the swinding
OF DIR. Glow. Radchn and Potter the
bogus bail men known the Pine street gang.o On
the breaking out OF the late war Potter commis
sioned as major OF the l3lst New York Volunteers
Scotts life Guard As as he got to the front he
captured by the rebels taken TO Charleston and
paroed He remained in Charleston over year when
hc was exchanged and came to Wash I'M where he
drew from the Treasury nearly ST. 900 Tor back pay
ration money, &c While III Washington, he formed
The acquaintance OF the woman now known as Mrs
far Rinr-
gold. She was selling cosmetics to ladies living IN
Washington. They came 10 this city aud put up At
the laiarge House, now known as the Grand Central
Hotel. whore Poter made great display us long as his
money lasted He next formed the acqua ntancc OF a
young Cuban whom II Is alleged, he swndled out OF
1000 Tho Cuban went TO Chicago where he com
mted suicide Potter next heard OF In 1872 as the
partner Of the notorious George Il Nash, now in the
baltimore State Prison. Nash leased the Madison
Square Hotel from Mr.. Matthews, Potter becoming
security ior the rent Nash bought several thousand
dollars worth OF goods with ndorsed by Potter
Mr. Matthews brought SUIT before Justice Quinn TO
eject Nash. Potter became Nashs security on a bond
to retain possession. lie then testified that he was
worth $3.50 600 After they elected from the
Madison Square Hotel Nash leased the ST. Julien Hotel
IRON ex-Mayor Kngsland, Potter again being his
curty. They were turned out after SIX months Then
they isased the bay Ridge House from Mr. Sykes who
committed suicide in Iaylors Hotel, Jersey City They
and managed to Obtain sio 900 worth Of goods on
credit, old Joe Watson, aas Howard Pcarsa! who had
just got out Of state Prison in rennsyvania, being
given security Potter this time keeping in the back
| ground II. b. Clatiin Il Co., who were among the
| parties swndled. had Pearsal ana Nash arrested.
| They locked up in the Tombs hut were finally
discharged. Terancc Rice Quinn then started
sw,ndlc in the shape of 'rhe Franklin coal yards at
No 23G Cherry street, Potts Co. and Pardee Co..
OF the Trinity Building, were swinded out Of 50, 900
worth of coal About this time Nash and Potter
swinded a West India gentleman out OF a yacht called
tho Lydia giving payment worthless note Of Pear
SAILS for ST. 500 They changed the name OF the yacht
| 10 the Dcwood and sold her for $3.50 to the
| broker who bought the Avalon. In 1873 Potter
swindlod Warden Fox, OF the Penitentary, out OF
| 81 900 worth OF diamonds. He was arrested and was
locked up in the Tombs lor six months, when he pro-
trial In 1874 Potter and Nash went to Baltimore,
leased the Fountain House, ON Camden street. OBJ
tanned furniture and liquors to the amount OF $40 900
! on bogus bonds and mortgages and then cleared out
| Potter went 10 Washington. put up at Willards
! and swindled young Englishman out Of
| $40 900, giving him security stock Of the
! New York Car Vcntilatlng Company, bogus
concern OF which Potter was president Potter was tie
head and front OF the bogus Palisade Insurance Com
pany Jersey CITY and according TO the story told by
Charles j. Williamson. the forger, now In the Tombs.
was the who gave HIM the forged Buffalo and Erie
and New York Central bonds TO place on the market,
and HIM 10 the Nall street brokers IN 1873
! williamson and Potter at that time met IN the Com
mercIa Hotel Grccn street, Jersey City. kept by
John Bough the notorious burglar, with whom Potter
| was intimately acquainted
In addition to Detectives amson ana Ferris who
are acting under the orders OF Superintendent Walhng,
District Attorney Phelps has officers searching for
Dot