New-York tribune., 1881-08-31
A HOAX ON DIR. HAMMOND

SUMMONED TO WASHINGTON To TAKE CHARGE
OF THE PRESIDENTS CASE AND GOES AS PAR AS
TIRE GILsEY HOUSE ON HIS WAY TuITltRR-A
VICTIM OF THE MAN WHO GOT MONEY BY FRIGHT
ENiNG CUSTOMS OFFICERS
handsome coupe drew mp in front OF DR. VIII.
ia'l A. hammond's house, i'm West Fifty-fourth-st
on Tuesday of last week, little after noon
wel-'iressed man, with fine figure. stepped
iroih the coupe, leaving elderly man with Crav
hair ana beard inside. and rang the bell He was ad-
hlttcd 10y a colored " buttons who moment later
informed DR.. Hammond that there was a cem,n
as wished to see 'im nnmedIately7 The doc
'or' who was seated in his higt-backed chair ar
ms papers preparatory TO closing his Office
replied that he might be shown in.
The visitor was a man aboyemedinm height with
hsht complexion, blue eyes and sandy hair and
"hskers. He was neatly dressed fiaent OF speech.
ana hal the manner of Turveydrop.
icaiieo'" sad the stTany ger, "at the request of
secretary Lincoln, to say that ne wishes TO see Won
TINS afternoon at the Gilsey House. Secretaries
'1'"'oin iiuht ana Wmdom ali arrive / in this city
to-day 10y special train"
This astonishing statement pyodrced an e,yac, ~,
ms listener that made the mysterious visitor think
at IL was Necessary 10 disclose his identity and so
ne orew card irom his pocket and threw If down
upon the table. The card bore the name OF &C NJ.
I!ngle' Chief Inspector OF Customs. Washington. ID.
&, "fon see" he went on, lit is necessary some
- ia IF "a
messengers for the Cabnet~
well ?"
1T is important business that brings Secretarv
Lincoln and the Other Secretaries here In fact.
there has been n big scene at the White House
within the last twenty-four hours Secretary
Blaine has resigned and Yice-President Arthur has
been called to Washington TO act as President.
i am on my way 10 General Arthur's house
now" continued the oily Mr. Tnele. rubbing his
palms together and smiling confdentiallv. win
dom ami Hunt are there in consultation with
General Arthur. General Grant Mr. Conklinr and
George Bliss. The conference relates to the matter
Of the Nice-PTcsident going TO the White House TO
assume control of the Government--Can Won give
mo dose OF bromide of potassium" asked the
visitor, breaking off suddenly in has fluent mono
logue Il lost sleep last night and am not feeling
we'll"
DIR. Hammond did not have any bromide at hand.
but he said he had something that was equivalent.
dose Of something else was prepared which was
thankfuliv received and tossed down.
" Now. Doctor" the Inspector went on, there's
more TO the story. Mrs Garfield has lost Confidence
~ the physicians that are attending The President
When was AZ the White House heard thcm very
severely criticised, DIR. ACnew heing the onlv
of the 10 that exceptei. Mrs. Garliela wanted
me 10 ask yon whom You considered the ablcst sur
geonSn this city,"
name was mentioned
g am not s"re," sand Mr.. Tingle. bat that you
yourself will be asked 20 GO to Washington and
take charge of the case One thing is certain there
must he a change of physicians
With few curSory remarks on conventional
topics, the Vouae lnSnec ctor of Customs bowed him
self out OF the room. He Joined his elderly compan-
ION IN his come and was driven away
II h been whispered in medical circles for seve-
raj davs That the stranger positively informed DIR.
Hammond that he had been sent for " the Cabinet
for him at the Jerse, Citv depot at tive o'clock;
also that DR. Hammond hustled around,
got his travelling hag in readiness and started for
The depot stopping on the WAY 20 get DIR. Robert 4.
Weir 10 accompany him 10 Washington as an assist
tant surgeon. Tie two physicians. IL is said STUN
train, hut were compelled. in the eour-e Of half an
hour So to give up the search. But THIS version
g You see, l know Secretary Lincoln very welI.D
said DR.. Hammond 10 q THRUNE reporter Yesterday,
" and, as the stranger talked in such a plausible
manner thought II would be well u see il Secre-
tary lincoln really was at the Giisey House The
clerk told me that Mr. Lincoln had not arrived at
retary wonld probably not ee IN the hotel until .
o'clock again lied at that hour.n
What m tive do you assign for the mans con-
. lie came here TO steal. I think. A dav or two
before of the afternoon papers. in sensational
stvle described me sitting in INV Office. during an
in ervew, in my high-bscked chair, with the carved
table %as Uttered win 3o q b was NV s dea sais IS
that the man thought he would be able To get his
mide Of potassium he thought he would get his op-
portunity by my going out of the room. But 1
didn't CO."
3" Have YOU discovered who Your caller vast"
" Here is his card lie has turned out to be A
SMlndler ana was arrested the same daN Tor obtain
ING money under false pretenceS His real name has
been withheld, but he is the brother of one OF the
most skilful aud best known physicians in Brook
lyn."
Last evening the repor ,r called at the RAYMOND
st. jail IN Brooklyn. hen the jaler was asked il
he had a named Tngle IN his charge ne said he
had, a!d called TO a man who was pacing the corri-
dor with tAe other prisoners He called him by tho
name of Ray. His appearance had undergone some
W hat of change. Instead Of fine clothes he wore
an indifferent pair of trousers, and had neither
coat waistcoat. When questioned about the
affair hc denied all knowledge Of il.
Your name is Tingle, isn't it was asked.
"Well-yes."
&C Nj"
"Nop
"What thenf
"J. f."
"Strange"