Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-13
SELLING SPURIOUS GOLD.DUsT.

IA few days ago, II. H. OIuaIC, VI huther-
ford county, went to Rock Hill: 5. T., and
traded citizen of that town lot OF what he
is reported to have said was gold dust. The
citizen melted the dust and sent the bar to the
assay office in this city by Mr.. Hyder Ratter-
rec, who happened to be coming up on busi-
ness. There it was discovered to be pure brass
Mr. Ratterree, who had witnessed the trade in
Rock Hill, afterward saw Smart, and told him
what he had done, at the same time telling him
that he must make the matter straight. Smart
said he had no money, but turned over a pistol
and watch, and Ratterree gave him a receipt.
Yesterday morning Smart took out a warrant
against Ratterree for assault and false arrest,
and Justice Davidson fined the accused $l5,
from which decision an appeal was taken to
the Inferior Court. Subsequently Ratterree
took out warrant for Smart for false pre-
tence, and carried the matter before Mayor
Smith, in the meantime telegraphing the par
ty at Rock Hill to whom Smart had traded the
metal, of what had occurred. Mayor Smith
decided to postpone the investigation until this
morning in order to allow time for witnesses
to come from Rock Hill, and accordingly re-
manded Smart to jail to await preliminary ex-
animation. .--Charlotte Observer, 7h. ,a ,aHsJ
Mr.. Smart, whose personal appearance be-
tokens the reverse of the idea suggested by
his name-being child-like and decidedly un-
sophisticated played similar game, sup
plemented with practical joke, in another
part of this county, only few weeks ago.
Taking handful of his '.'dust'' to a country
merchant and representing that he had "dis-
covered" it OH the lands Of Mr.. WI. Rainey,
in another part of the county, he readily dis
posed of it for $19. He then came to York;
vile, representing that he had some experience
in mining, and claimed to have made the dis
covery of rich deposit on Mr.. Rainey's land.
In fact, so easily had he ''picked up'' the pre-
cious metal on this auriferous land, that he
did not seem to value it highly, and he pre-
sented one of our merchants with nugget
not quite as large as hens egg, which the
grateful merchant determined at once to have
mounted and wear as a breast-pin. Smart
also conveyed word to Major B., gentleman
who has had much practical experience in
mining, stating what he had ''taken,' with
but little labor and trouble, and as the sale of
the dust, previously made, had reached the
ears of our mining friend, he readily gave Gre
dence to the story, and after comforting with
Smart, day was appointed in which to pros
pect the lands in regular mining style. 1t so
happened that the day appointed, was cold,
rainy and sleety, and what was worse, the
"gold deposits'' were a long distance-almost
in the extreme part Of the county-from where
Maj. B. lives; but nothing daunted, he faced
the weather, and with one or two laborers WIS.,
tied the spot, meeting Smart in YOrkville,
who accompanied the prospecting party to the
''find." On the same day, and just before join
ing the Major, Smart came to our office and
wished to sadvertise'' the discoveries he had
made. We concluded, however, to await de-
velopments. The returns never came in. The
Major told us afterwards that he would not
have taken such ride, even in pleasant wealth
er, for fifty dollars, and he intimated very
plainly that on his first meeting with Smart
who by the time the gold hunt was over had
quietly disappeared without so much as say
ing ''good-bye"- would crack the knave's
head with stick, or words to that effect, his
language being somewhat stronger and more
forcible than we have given it. Mr.. Smart
will act smart indeed by avoiding the irate
Major after his present engagement in Char
lotte, he having been committed for trial in
the inferior court, OH the charge of practicing
fraud.