Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-06
BOLD AND CLEVER.
How n Swindler Came Near Taking In
Prominent Merchants.

A very clever and bold swindler has been
trying TO plot considerable sum of money
from Mr.. Oscar Polk, of Hickory Valley, and
Hill, Fontaine & Co. He has assumed sew
eral names in his transactions, one of them
being w. B. Brown and another John w.
Gayden. Brown picked upon Mr.. Folks
name as a nucleus for his scheme, as that
gentleman is well off and has good credit
with the banks. He first wrote the following
letter to Mr.. Polk, probably with the inten-
ton OF getting his signature:
HUNTSVILLE, ALA, May %, 1882.
Mr.. Oscar Polk, Hickory Valley, Tenn:
DEAR sm-Having been an intimate acquaint-
vo9 NAV Mr be able to give me some Information
desire. Please let me know if you will be at home
preciste your Kindness, and if / shall get off the
cars at Hickory Valley or Middleburg? Inclosed
please find selfaddressed postal card. Very re-
spectfully, W. B. BROWN.
He also wrote letter to the postmaster at
Hickory Valley, which was as follows:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, May Is, 1882.
To the Postmaster:
DEAR sIR-Please let me know If Mr.. Oscar Polk,
Memphis, Tenn, as 1 learned he had married
phis is his home, let me know. I inclose self
addressed postsl-card. By granting said favor
AN S''A''S 'O--S'O " JOHN W. GAYDEN
Brown then telegraphed to the Union and
Planters Bank for draft for S120s SO, sign
ing himself Oscar Polk. The bank very
promptly made it out, with Messrs. Hill,
Fontaine & Co. as indorsers. At Okalona,
Miss, Brown tried to pass the check at a
bank, and was identified by one man as Oscar
Polk, but the banker was little doubtful
and said he would investigate the matter.
That nipped his little game in the bud. He
came very near, however, of success. The
following letters to Mr. S. p. Read, of this city,
cast further light on the subject.
OKoLoSA, Miss, May 81, 1882.
S. P. Read, Cashier Memphis, Tenn:
DEAR SIR-Yesterday one of our citizens intro
duced stranger to a Mr.. o. B. Polk who
presented the inclosed draft OF yours New
York, No. 100, ,s69, indorsed by HILL Fontaine &
Co. to him, to be cashed, which we agreed to do.
Upon further inquiry of the party who identified
Mr. Polk, we found his knowledge of him not sat
isfaotory and we called on Mr.. Polk to return
IS 20, which amount he had received. Without
having returned the money he suddenly disap-
Endorsement is correct ask to have IS 20 placed
to our credit and the draft restored to the proper
owner. Yours truly, A. BABBITT, President.
oKoLoSA, Miss, June 8, 1882.
g. P. Read, ESQ., Cashier, Memphis, Tenn.
DEAR STR-Your favor of the 1st instant is re-
eeived and noted We undoubtedly had a mar
row escape, for if the conduct OF the thief had
not been such after placing the draft with us as
success of it. Mr. John W. Farris, proprie-
tor of the hotel here, came to the bank
Polk, OF West Tennessee. Mr.. Farris is an old
man and above suspicion OF wrong doing, and
he came here from West Tennessee, the presump-
tion that he was presenting an old acquaint-
anre. but on inquiry it was ascertained he knew
nothing of his man except from himself. This
man. calling himself o. b. Polk, apparently
thirty thirty wears of age about five feet ten
inches high, rather spare built and lean-faced,
weighs about lS5 pounds, black or dark hair, com
pearance and dress as well as mental caiiber.
hspe he may be caught up with, Yours truly,