The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-04-03
A SWINDLER.
HOW COL. SAM. Fam BROUGHT
ONE TO GRIEF

Col. Sam. N Fain, of Messy Creek,
was called to Salem, Va, last Thursday,
under the following circumstances, as
he informed us while en- route on the
train Some time last October man
calling himself Henry N. Miller came
to Col. Fain's house with letter of in
PRODUCTION from Gen James Hickman,
of Nashville, whs stated that Mr.. Miller
had been introduced to him as gentle
man and man of means. Miller stated
that he was Pennsylvania by birth
and a Quaker-his conversation being
scrupulously of the "thee" and "thOu"
style that his ancestors had left him
valuable lands in Lancaster county, Pa,
principally coal deposits, but that owing
to the frequent troubles he had had with
his miners he had sold his lands there
and now with $3.50, 900, the proceeds of
the sale, he desired to buy not less than
1000 acres of land in more quiet and
peaceable community. Col. Fain in
formed him that he owned 2100 acres of
very choice land, improved. Miller ex-
amined it, was well pleased, and finally
a trade was closed, Miller agreeing to
pay sos, 900, the price the Colonel asked
for ii, at the time expressing a desire to
make cash transaction of the matter if
he could favorably dispose of bonds that
he had invested his money in. Finally
terms were agreed upon one half cash
on the 10th of February, 1873, and the
remainder on five years credit. Mil
dcncc, and for some time engaged ac
lively in planning and preparing to put
additional improvements on the place.
About the middle of January last he in
formed Col. Fain that he would return
to Pennsylvania, dispose of his bonds
and close up his business there so that
he could take actual possession of the
place on the 10Th of February. Time
passed rapidly and the 10th of February
came but not Mr.. Miller. Col. Fain lost
no sleep over the matter, as he had had
doubts all the while of the solidity of
Miller Six or eight days ago letter
was received by one of the county Off
GERS Of Jefferson county from the Treas
urer of Roanoke county, Va, making
inquiries about the standing of Mr.. s.
n. Fain, stating that a man giving that
name, and exhibiting deeds to valuable
land in Jefferson county, Tenn, had
bought land in Roanoke county. This
letter was shown to Col Fain, who,
from the description it gave of the man
inquired about, was satisfied his old
friend Miller had turned up again. He
Immediately telegraphed the writer of
the letter to keep the man calling him.
self Fain under surveillance until his
letter of that date was received. By the
first mail Col. Fain sent IA description
of Miller, with the particulars of his
trade with him, also that he suspected
him Of stealing an 80 acre land warrant
from his safe, and suggesting that he
should express in Miller's presence de-
sire to buy an 80 acre land warrant. If
Miller offered to sell one, for him to buy
it, arrest Miller and telegraph him i'm
mediately. The Colonel received dis
patch W edncsday morning informing
him that the man had been arrested and
asking his immediate presence in Salem.
Col Fain returned last Friday and i'm
formed us at the depot that he visited the
jail on his arrival at Salem aud recognized
the prisoner as the identical Henry \.
Miller to whom he had sold his proper
ty for the sum of $98, 600 He also
found that Miller had stolen, besides his
land warrant, bonds and title deeds,
and other valuable papers from his safe
that he had not missed. These evidences
of his wealth he had been exhibiting in
Bedford and Roanoke counties, whore
lac had purchased lands on the credit
they gave him. Miller denied all knowl-
edge of Col. Fain, declaring he had
meyer seen him before. He feigns IN.
sanity and says he is from Michigan.
He had his trial Thursday, and was com
mittcd to jai! on charges preferred by
parties swindled by him in Virginia
The evidences of his guilt are positive
enough TO insure his conviction to the
penitentiary.