Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-05-12
A Bold Swindler.

A Bold Swindler.
| Last Thursday rather genteel looking
man, thirty years of age, of medium height,
I with sandy side-whiskers, black suit and
/ round top hat. and decidedly English
pronunciation, put up at the Virginia Ho-
tel, registering as J. Hunter, from Cana
da. Just before the National Valley Bank
closed on that day he made his appearance
there and showing the cashier his bank
book at Canadian bank, asked HIM to
add it up. The cashier added it up and
found that there was $1,000 to his credit
He then said that he wished to draw
sight draft against that amount and put it
to his credit in the National Valley bank.
He didn't want any money he said but
would check on the deposit after the Ma
tional Valley had received the money from
the Canadian bank. He was accordingly
furnished with little pass book in which
he was credited with the draft he had de-
posted for collection.
About an hour after, he appeared at
large jewelry establishment on Main street
and purchased about $3.50 worth of jewel
ry for which he rendered his check on the
National Valley Bank, producing his book
to show that he had deposited a draft
there. His check was accepted in pay
ment. A couple Of hours later he asked
the clerk Mr.. Lickliter) on duty at the
hotel to cash check for SIS. The clerk
replied that they cashed no checks, where
upon Hunter, apparently much insulted,
took his valise and went over to Burke's
European House and going up stairs in
in that hotel asked Mr.. Burke to Cash
check for SIS. Mr.. B. replied that he cashed
No checks. Hunter went straight down
stairs and told the clerk at the bar that
Mr.. Burke said, s'Cash that Check and
the clerk thinking it SO cashed it. The
swindler, then after visiting some disrep-
utable places disappeared from Stanton
it is supposed on a freight train as the
police hunted for him before O'Clock P.
M. and could not find him.
The next morning. Friday, he got off the
Z. & o. express train in Richmond and
went to Ford's Hotel where he registered
rs J. II. Hunter. His career in that city
which, like that in Staunton. was limited
t., one day is thus described: After re-
naming at the hotel short time he went
ia the Office Of Messrs. r. B. Chaffin q Co.,
and introduced himself to Mr.. Gillian as
j. N. Twidale, and said that he WAS here
fos the purpose of purchasing land. refer
ring Mr.. Gillian to gentleman IN Abe
marie county we'll known to Chaffln u Co.
He remained in the Office some time, and
before leaving informed Mr.. Gillian that
he had some letters of credit which lie
wished to deposit in bank. Mr.. Gillian
aect mpanied him to the First National
Bank, where the letters were deposited,
tho man getting a pass-book with the let
ters credited therein. He then parted with
Mr.. Gillian, but calling at the office sew
sral hours later got that gentleman to
cash check for $40.
''He then expressed q wish to purchase
some jewelry, and the book-keeper gave
him letter of introduction in the name
OF the firm to Messrs. Nowlan & Co., from
whom he purchased $40 diamond ring.
giving check Gu the First National Val
| Icy Bank in payment therefor. after salts
| flying the gentleman who waited on him
that he had money on deposit there. Moth
| ing more was seen of him; but Sergeant
Howard. of the First precinct. who took
the case in hand upon the receipt of that
telegram frem Staunton, ascertained
that he left the city Friday evening on the
1880 O'Clock Chesapeake Il Ohio train
Sergeant Howard was close on the fellows
track, but he moved around so rapidly that
it was impossible to catch up with him."
! DIED IN KENTUCKY.-John W. Hill
bert, a well-known blacksmith. and for
many years engaged in the prominent man.
ufactories of this city, died on Friday last
in Winchester. KY, where he was engaged