The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-19
A DARING SWINDLER.

A SHERMAN WHO SHOULD BE LOOKED FOR
MARROW ESCAPE OF BOSTON MONEY LENDER.
NArIcK. Mass, Feb. Is. 1879.
-Four weeks ago gentleman Of very nice appear
ance camo to this quiet manufacturing town. He
seemed to be about forty years Of ago. five
feet eight inches in height and weighing
about two hundred pounds. He was o perfect
gentleman in his manner and appearance. and
represented himself to be Major G. H. Sherman and
a nephew Of General W. 4. Sherman. He said no
was delayed account Of the loss Of his trunk. and
had stopped over Natic to visit the shoe factores
that he was native of Washington and had been to
Canada and other points on business. for his uncle,
General Sherman. He said no had written the
railroad authorities in regard to his missing trunk
that it contained valuable papers which be was sorei
in need and that not hearing from II he had placed
the matter in the hands OF o Boston lawyer
to work up. He claimed to be nm init.
mate friend of Jules Verne. the novelist, and
said he had been with Linn erne) during his trip up
the Mediterranean and other places He soon got
we'll acquainted with all the trades people, store keep
crs &C. and kept himself well posted on all matters
of local interest He also became well posted in all
the business, acquainted with the prominent men
of the place and finally appeared to know much
of the town and its people as resident OF number
of years. He interested real estate owners by ex-
aiming their property ana telling them hc was IN
search Of good Investments.
ALMOST "HAUL"
Last Saturday the major" went to q certain money
lender who does business in Dock square, Boston,
and represented himself to be Charles Bi,,eow,
of Natck lie said he owned fine house and
lot here, which free from all circumference,
and that he wanted $1,000 loan on the same In
order to give the affair better look the Major
took the money lender to the registry Office where
the records wero examined and the property found
to be as represented The money lender was
invited out TO look at the property. He
came to Natick and i'll company with the
Major the residence of MI. Bigclow was OK
auned from tho exterior. and all looked like bust
ness The parties started tor the clever o'clock A.
NJ train for Boston, but luckily were about two
minutes too late, the train having gone.
While Mt tho depot Mr.. Ike Randall, citi-
zen Of this town. happened to pass. and.
meeting the money lender, with whom he
reply was that he had come up to look ut Mr..
Charles Bigcow's house. as he was going to lend
81 Otw on it. Mr.. Randall said there must be some
mistake u Mr.. Biselow did not want any money.
and il he did he could get it here in Natick.
well Mr.. Bigelow has applied to me for tho
aud he will tell YOU" at tho same time pointing to
the "Major." Mr.. Randall looked at Sherman. and.
turning to the other party, told him it was
not Bgclow. but some stranger here. The
money lender went over to the Major,
aud told him Whist Randall had said. '.Oh.
said sherman, che does not know / do
business in Boston and there nearly all the time ="
Just then long freight train passed. and the
MAJOR" being the opposite side passed over by
the freight depot and when the train had gone
by the "Major" was missing, and nothing
has been heard from him since. Detectives
were at once put his track. and It Is
hoped that his arrest may be heard OF at any
mcnt us he is Swallowed and cannot escape. This is
one OF the most daring attempts of the kind that has
ever occurred here and had the parties been at the
been paid over and the swinder probably made good