Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-10-27
BunkO Men In Glover.

THURSDAY EVENING. OCT. ~. 1881.
Bunko Men In Glover.
sv,nd,,ns Prominent rh.l.delph,aus-How
Chief Justice Sharswood was Taken l".
The bupko men who operate between
Philadelphia and New York have been
roaping q harvest of lcte. The leader of
the gang has in four instances represented
himself as a nephew of Anthony j. Drexel
or member of the well-known banking
house of which Mr.. Drexel is the head.
One of his victims was Mr.. Evan Randolph,
an experienced business man, whom he
swindled out of sl10. The second was Mr..
Hazlehurst, leading member of the Phil
adelphia bar, whom he caught for 81, 4oO.
The third was Mr.. ]. A. J. Sheets, a pros
porous lumber merchant, who lost 81, 900
BY his confidence in the scoundrel. Inc
fourth victim is no less parsonage than
the Hon. George Sharswood, chief justice
of the supreme court of Pennsylvania. In
the latter case, however. the amount in
volved was only $40. The story Of this
operation was given by him as follows
Gas l was strolling up broadway in
New York a well.dressed young man ad-
dressed me by some name not my own,
which / do not recall, anu seemeG both
insulted and ipcredulous when told him
he was mistaken. He, however, apolOget-
ically said that bore a striking resem-
blance to the gentleman whom he supposed
me to he, and that he would be grateful it
I would tell him who was. l gave him
my name, and he left me with every mark
of courtesy. l had not gone much further
when another gentleman, youthful, we'll
dressed, and of remarkably pleasing man
ners, crossed the sidewalk toward me, and,
extending his hand. addressed mo by
name, and profcssed to be delighted to
have met me. His face seemed not unfa-
miliar to me, but l could not recall his
name, and supposed my puzzled look
led him to relieve my mind, as he said
'Ah, see you don't remember me. L
am +. A. DrcxeI, jr. have been abroad
80 long that you have lost sight of me. l
have been studying art in Paris, and re-
turned only last week He then asked
many questions about tho welfare of
prominent Philadelphians, with whose
names, occupations and social standing he
seemed thoroughly familiar. Ii also con-
versed very Interestingly Oh art matters
abroad, mentioning incidentally that he
had been All extensive purchaser for the
account OF his unclcs as we'll as himself.
We walked up town, chatting thus pleas
anLly, and not a suspicion that my com
paniOn was not what hc represented him.
self to he entered my mind. At length he
mentioned that he had just received very
expensive painting from Paris-one for
which Belmont S and Vanderbilu's agent
had bid against him, but which he
had bought for $4,000 francs. 1t was 4
very steep price, and didn't know how
father and Unclo Tony will like it, he
said. He then invited me to look at his
treasure, which, he said, was only block
or two away. Nothing was occupying me
particularly at that time. and l consented,
Turning down ono of the cross streets we
came to handsome brOwI-stOne house,
into which we entere after ringing the
bell. While we stood on the steps my
companion told me that lie had drawn the
grand prize. II 900 francs, in {: lottery de-
signed for the benefit of some Partisan art
association, and was only waiting in tue
city for the money to come to hand. he
then would 90 to Philadelphia and
visit his relatives. The door was
opened by livcried porter, and
seemed to have been turned into an office.
tlemanly individual who occupied the
desk, and said that he had brought me,
mentioning my name, to see his famous
picture. The gentlemanly individual was
sorry that the picture had just been sent
to Philadelphia, and he showed the cx
press receipt in confirmation. ApolOgizing
for the disappointment, my companion
made movc as though to 20 away, When
the gcntlemanly individual, after briel
consultation Of what seemed book u
entry, said Mr.. Drexel, | received the
remittance Of your grand prize, 11,O0t
francs, this morning. Hero is the money.
and he counted out what seemed
to be that amount. Tho gentlemanly in-
dividual then suggested that it would be
we'll to take some tickets in another lot
tory drawing for the benefit Of some Other
art association. Drcxel was willing. lii
said he patronizcd such schemes for thu
benefit of art, and always TUNED hi:
prizes over to desctving artists.
had scruples against such methods
tus he insisted, and l handed hin
$40. Then they brought out 4 num-
bered chart, aud gambling implements.
saw at once that the whole thing was {;
trick and device, and repossesscd myself
Of the $40 which mad given my compan
ion, and which was lying on the table ant
made my way out of tho room withou
opposition. The pseudo Drexel cam
along and agreed entirely with me in m.
estimate of the character of the place.
still had confidence in him, losing it onl.
after suits had been brought to recove
money falsely so obtained"
Judge Pierce, who has been OIL th'
common pleas bench of this county fo
twenty years, was another intended victim
and the picture game was tho same. Will
he did not suspect tho nice young man o
dishonest purposes, he escaped by refusin
to view the painting, regarding the conf
dence operator merely as all intelligen
bore.
Scar.Faced Charley.