The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-08-31
HOW HAMMOND WAS HoAxEp.
A Confidence Man Tried TO Make
Him Believe That He Was Wanted
at tho Prestdpnt-s BpIsidc.


at the Presidents Bedside.
The New York Tribune of to .day pub.
fishes quite an interesting story in which OK
Surgeon-Gcneral VIM. A. Hammond, of
New York, is made to figure as the victim
Of n hoax, or, perhaps, rs having narrow
escape from the clutches of confidence
man. The Tribune says that on Tuesday of
last week well-dresscd stranger drove up
to DIR. Hammond's mansion, introduced
himself as G. NJ. Tinglc, Chief Inspector of
Customs of Washington, ID. G., and stated
that he called at the request of Secretaries
Lincoln, Hunt and Window, then stopping
at the Gilsey House, to request him to pro-
coed to Washington at once to take charge of
the Presidents case. He said further that
there had been q row, that Secretary Blaine
had resigned, that Vice-President Arthur
had been summoned to Washington to act
as President, that all the physicians except
DIR. Agnew had been dismissed, and that it
was ut Mrs. Garfelds request DIR. Ham
m0nd had been summoned. In the midst
of his conversation the stranger asked for
dose of bromide of potassium which could
not be furnished, but he was given some
thing else. The Tribune then goes on to
say, that the man added that a special train
was awaiting DR.. Hammond at Jersey City
to bring him to Washington, and that the
eminent surgeon and DR.. Robert +. Weir
proceeded to the depot, but finding no train
returned in disgust. DIR. Hammond was
subsequently interviewed, who said that
the stranger talked in such u plausible man
ner that he thought he would first find out
whether the Cabinet officers were at the
Gilsey House. He went there and did not
find them. He denied going to the train.
DIR. Hammond then said:
" He came here to steal, think. A day
or two BEFORE one of the afternoon papers,
in sensational style, described me as sit
ting in my Office, during an interview, in
my high-backed chair, with the carved
figure Esculapius atop of it, and it was said
that my table was Uttered with $50 bills.
My idea is that the man thought he would
be able to get his hand on some money.
When he asked for the bromide of potassium
he thought he would get his opportunity by
my going out of the room. But didn't
| CO."
Have you discovered who your caller
WASP"
Here is his card. He has turned QUITO
be swindler, and was arrested the same
day for obtaining money under false pre-
lenses. His real name has been withheld,
but he is the brother of one of the most
skillful and best known physicians in Brook
lyn.'
Istst cNculup IHC TtpOTtcT Clllcu III tHc
Raymond-street Jail in Brooklyn. When
the jailer was asked if he had man named
Tingle in his charge, he said he had, and
called to man who was pacing the corri-
dor with the other prisoners He called
him by the name of Ray. When questioned
about the affair he denied all knowledge
oft.
"Your name is Tingle, isn't it?' was
asked.
"'Well-yes."
&C. Mp"
":No."
What them"
| 81. f."
Strange"
"There it is. That G. NJ. Tingle is the
man they ought to get. It's my misfortune
having that name of Tinglc. Since my ar
rest they have been charging me with a
score of crimes, whereas really have been
arrested for only one. You'll agree with
me that it's rather unfortunate for me that
c. NJ Tingle's misdeeds, CHI 2"
The crime for which Tingle, who gave
his name as Ray, was arrested, was for OBJ
tanning money from custOm-housc of
ficer, by persuading him that he was Chief
Inspector of Customs. He was arrested
just as he stepped from q coupe. He had
cards bearing the name of G. NJ. Tingle.
Other charges Of obtaining money under
false pretenses have been made against him
at various places. He is awaiting trial in
Brooklyn.