The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-06-21
The r. NJ. d. A. Bag a SwindIer.

While Deputy Sheriff Frank Smith
was at Kit Carson, Colorado, last win
ter, working up case against the rail-
road thieves story was told him of a
man having swindled the Luna Broth
ers, sheep men of Las Lunas, New
Mexico, out Of large sum of money.
HOW IT WAS DONE.
Some time in the latter part of De-
cember a man named Max Leichtenthal
called on the gentlemen under notice,
representing himself as heavy stock
dealer, and desiring to purchase twenty
thousand head of sheep. A contract
was made and signed by the parties
for the delivery Of the flock at stated
times at Las Vegas. In order to seal
the compact more firmly a small amount
of money was paid by the purchaser,
and he desired receipt for the same.
A CROOKED RECEIPT.
He had, in fact, a receipt already
written out which only required the
signing by the firm. The receipt was
signed without having been read, the
signers not being well versed in the
English language. A few days later
Messrs. Luna Brothers received notice
from Chick, Brown s. Co., of La Junta,
that they held note for the sum of
$4,000. The gentleman could not
comprehend the meaning of this. They
had not given any note for such an
amount. Further investigation proved
that the supposed receipt was in reality
a note for $4,000 and that the holder
had it shaved and cashed at the house
of Messrs. Chick, Brown & Co. This
was revelation, and the next thing
was to catch the swindler. But when
his whereabouts were sought it was
discovered that he had
LEFT THE COUNTRY
and was nowhere to be found. A de-
tective from that region was at once
sent all over the United States in search
of him, and large reward was offered
for his apprehension. The detective
was, however, unsuccessful, and he re-
turned home disconsolate at his ill-luck.
After that nothing of Importance was
done and the detectives contented them
selves with keeping sharp lookout. A
few days ago information was impaired
to Sheriff Cook and Deputy Frank
Smith, both of the Rocky Mountain
Detective Association, that Leichten-
thai was in Denver. That occurred on
Saturday morning early, and the whole
forenoon was spent in an unsuccessful
search. just before the Denver train
left, Mr.. Smith went to the depot to
see
HOW THINGS LOOKED,
with reference to the fugitive, and es-
pied the very object of his search in the
act of boarding a car. He had de-
scription of him and was confident of
his identity, but wanted further proof
before making an arrest. He therefore
pointed out the individual to Conduc-
tor Farmer and another gentleman,
and told the conductor that he might
have to arrest the party, and asked him
to keep an eye on him. Frank then
went up town, got the desired proof,
and telegraphed Immediately to Evans,
the dispatch reaching there about five
minutes ahead of the train.
LEICHTENTHAL ARRESTED.
W. A. Mattock an officer of that
town, was instructed by the telegram
to take the party into custody and re-
turn him to Denver. This was done,
and the officer arrived there Monday
morning, having in charge the long
looked for fugitive from justice. On
his way up, he was not inclined to talk
much but expressed his sorrow at hav-
ing caused the Luna Brothers any loss.
He imagined that the bank that cashed
the note would have to suffer. If the
brothers have the amount to pay, to-
gether wiuh the sums paid in rewards,
travelling expenses and the loss of many
sheep by death in driving them north
in order to fill their contract with
Leichtenthal, it will not fall short of
$4,000. The accused is now in the
Denver Jail awaiting the arrival of a
requisition from New Mexico, where he
l,a ,.o Of