New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-29
THE POET AND THE "BANCOD NAN
HOW OSCAR WILDE WAS INDUCED TO SIGN CHECT
FOR 81 100.

HOW OSCAR WILDE WAS INDUCED TO SIGN CHECKS
FOR 81 100
Previous TO the departure Of Oscar Wilde for
Europe many of his acquantances IN this city were
interested in a story that he had been swindled by
a IL anco eerer" Mr.. Wilde professed to make
light of the matter, and when spoken to by re-
porters he returned evasIve misleading answers.
Those of his acquaintance who knew the facts felt
bound to conceal Them so long as the apostle of
Gsthetoism" remained on this side of the Atlantic.
when he sailed on the Bothnia on Wednesday their
tongues were lOOsed and they talked more freely
ahonr the swinde. A ful report of Mr. Wildes
experience with "banco" swindlers was obtained
from authentic sources by TRIBUNE reporter yes
terday.
On the afternoon Of Thursday. December II, Mr..
Wilde drove rapidly in cab to the Madison Square
Bank IN Twenty thrd-st Entering the bank with
evident excitement he asked to see the CASHIER and
told him that he wished TO stop payment upon
three checks, amounting TO 81 1GO. which he had
signed only a few minutes before He described
the checks, and limited that they had been obtained
from him by fraud. Mr.. Wilde then went directly
to the police station in West ThIrteth-st. and in
quired for Captain Williams, saving that he desired
an interview urgent business. Captain Will
Jams led the way into his private
room and closed the door, Mr. Wilde threw
~
Ginning attitude. He ran the fingers of one hand
through his long hair, and with the other hand he
stroked his trousers unea lily. At length he cleared
his throat with faint cough. and said:
Captain Williams. in your long and varied ex'
periencc officer of police presume You have
occasionally met with persons who make fools
Of th"mselvesr
The captain smiled and gave an affirmative aod,
"Wcll." Mr.. Wilde continued, 90 have just made
n fool of myself
Then he related in detail his experience. He was
walking in Broa WAY not far from Union Square.
when sharp-featurcd and wcll-dressed
young man stopped him and extended
his hand. Excuse me, Mr. Wilde" the stranger
said, d" but am of Mr.. Drexel, of the firm of
Drexel, Morgan & Co., the Wall-st bankers IIav-
ing You twice in my fathers office.
hope will pardon me for introducing myself
Mr. Wilde hal been in Mr.. Drexel's Office on bust
ness and he was taken OIL his guard He shook
hands with the man, expressed his qualification at
the meeting and ccompanied him into q neighbOr
ing restaurant where Sir "Drexel" told a story Of
having won prize by a lottery drawing. He
induced Mr.. Wilde to accompany him to a house in
either Fiiteenth-st OF Seventeenth-st., betw Ell
Second and 1hirl-aycs Mr Wilde could not find
the house afterwards audled him into room whrre
two or three OthcT men were throwing dice The
poets friend iusi 3ted on making throw for him,
AID Mr.. Wilde was told that he had won a hand
some sum- Gradually. as the play went on, Mr..
Wilde became interested IN tne game and then he
10 steadily. At length h. was informed that his
losses exceeded hl7 WINNINGS by $50. He had not
much money in his pocket and he was pressed 10
give check for the amount. He consented. After
a lew more throws he was declared n loser to the
extent of 800 and he 81 med another check for that
amount. lis blood was up by that line AM he
made larg. r ventures, only 70 learn that he was IN
debt , 900 He wrote his name check for that
sum and then refused to play longer. II had dawned
up n him hat he was being swlndled Young
Drexe made loud cutlery aud declared that Mir.
sis, ed IN accompanying his acquaintance from the
n use. hut Mr. Wilde shook INN of, ran for a cab
and fastened to he bank before he swIndlers had
a. opportunity to got any of the checks cashed
hen Mr. Wilde had concluded his story TO Cap
tain Williams, he gave full description OF
"DrcNei." lie was then asked o take a look at the
Rogue| Gallery in the captains office. His atun-
ton was dr"C ed 10 PHOTOGRAPH OF Joseph Neulck,
alils hungry IOe' noted confidence swIndler
for whom the 20 ice had Ocen searching. On seeing
exclaimed, "Wrll, declare! that is DrcXel beyond
Il Doubt
CAP ain Williams and his detectives tried 10 find
Hungry Joe and his cOnfedcra es bur the SWIM
der, evidently had pos ed themselves regard NJ Mr.
Wilcs action and incy took care TO keep O4t OF tho
way. On The following Monday Captain Williams
rec wed the cks winch Mr. W Idle bad signed.
1 hey were seat TO him by mail witnout comment.
IJniIl he rec .INed back the chcCNS NJ WIDE was
nervous, fearing that they wOul be caSne by III
nOccni pers ms and that he would ne sued Tor the
amount lie declared afterwards that IL could not
afford 10 go mo court either rs a complainant
agaIns' the banco" mon or as dctendant III
evil SUIT IL was said BY the police vest rday that
no arrrS 5 could b. made unier the circumstances.
Sclick is believed 10 Dr out Of the city at present.