The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-02
THE COAL COUNT.
A Russian Noble With an Eye
to Business.
Admiral Porter's Son Figures in q
.ln. Gigantic Swindle.
National Associated Press to the Star.

National Associated Press to the Star.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA gigantic coal
swindie, in which the names Of Russian
Count and the son of Admiral Porter figure
prominently, has just been brought to light
in this city. Messrs. Castner Il Co., of Phil
adelphia, are the only victimized parties as
far as at present known, and they have
been done to the extent of $23. 333 alto
gether.
Count Eugene Mitkiemies has been
prominent feature In society both here and
in Baltimore for several seasons He &C.
cured for life partner Miss Lester. OF
Rochester, N. Y, who, 1t is said, had $780,
600 in bonds when he married her, besides a
wealthy and liberal mother. FL
About six months since the Count and
James A. Cook, who had been clerk or man
ager for coal firm, entered into partner
ship there as Mitkiemiez, Cook & CO., and
were apparently doing large business In
his snciety intercourse the Count met Rich
ard B. Porter, son of Admiral Porter, u.
8. Navy, and proposed to take him as
partner to Washington firm he was about
to establish. No capital was required. at
least for the present, though it was under
stood that if things were satisfactory 5000
were to be advanced by his father.
Extensive preparations for large busi-
ness were made,a yard on Second street and
Indiana avenue and an Office on New York
avenue being very completely fitted up. A
man named H. J. Kintz, while not appear
/ ing in the firm, appears to have had con-
nection with the concern from the first.
He and Mitkiemiezi went to Philadelphia
December lst to arrange with Castner & Co.
for coal contracts They represented that
in the Baltimore house they had $50 900 in
vested, besides $4,000 in bank, and the
Washington concern were putting in
$4,000. .......--
1t was also asserted that the Pennsylva-
mia Railroad Company had sold them
S. coo worth of coal that Porter was about
to invest 5000, and Mitkiemiez's mother
in-law would put in $4,000 early in the
spring. On these representations they
made favorable contract for furnishing
coal to the new firm, and two thousand
five hundred and seven tons, worth $1O,-
l24, were shipped in December. The
date for payment. January 9th.
In the meantime judgment was con-
fessed here for So, 900, and in Baltimore for
$34 767 rs in favor of Kintz. Later, as the
creditor became more pressing, bills of sale
for 500 cords of wood and 1900 tons of coal
were pidCeu OH reCOTu Ill IaVOF OF CDe same
party; also one of 800 tons Of coal to Shoe
maker & Herzog the wine merchants.
On Thursday last Mr.. H. B. Curran, the
Junior partner of Castner & Co., came on
here and consulted Messrs. Hine H Thomas,
a firm of leading lawyers of this city.
After obtaining from Cook & Porter state
ments of their belief In the fraudulent
nature of Kintz's claim and The subsequent
assignment etc, a suit in equity was filed
on Saturday to cancel the contract on
which the coal was consigned, on the
ground of fraudulent representations,
and the bills of sale on the basis
that they were without considera-
ton and to recover the coal as far as
it could be identified; also. temporary
Injunction against any interference with it,
and the appointment Of receiver in case
the other prayers were ineffective. Porter,
Cook and Mitkiemise, the latter in charge
OF detective, left Saturday night for Ro-
chester to trv and arrange compromise
in the matter with Mrs. Lester's money.
The total amount of the indebtedness to
Castner a. Co. is as stated above. $23, 333,
and the remains of their coal. about fifteen
hundred tons Kintz, who lives at Hol.
lister Landing, Virginia, has left the city.