The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-09-13


dred
THREE THoussND Dollar SwIYDLE.-The
usually quiet and sedate old town of Sails
bury was considerably excited last week
over a three thousand dollar swindle pcrpe-
trated on well known gentleman. Hill
liard's Great Moral Show and Equcstnculum
and the Allegheny Synod of the Lutheran
church both held forth for the edication of
the Elklickers. Although both played TO
full houses, il was not q joint engagement;
the circus having mo particular connection
with the synod, but the latter playing aptly
into the hands of the followers Of the SPAN
giles and the trick mules Mr.. Jacob Liven-
good, one OF the substantial farmers of that
section, a man nearly eighty years cf age
and somewhat cnfeebled, was met II the
postofiice by sleek looking, well dsessed
man who had soft twang 60 the end of
his tongue. The stranger greeted Mr. J.. in
the most hearty manner, with outstretched
palm and winning smile, introducing him
self as Rev. Daniel Miller. of Lancaster
county. in attendance on the Lutheran Syn
Cd. His father, SO the guileless stranger
went on to tell had been a horse buyer and
drover in the distant past; that he had often
dealt with and stopped at the house Of Mr..
Livengood, and that it had been his con-
slant custom to gather his prattling children
(of which be, the said innocent. was one),
about his knee and tell them wonderful
tales of a certain old gentleman mp in Som
erset county. This and many another piece
of ''taffy" did he feed his hearers until he
bethought him that this early, friend of his
father ought TO accompany him up the hill
to the circus ground to see a wonderful
horned horse. But Mr. Liyengood was
member of the Dunkard church, and said it
was not right for him to 70 10 such places.
Wasn't the other preacher, and would he
20 to a goddess circus2 They would iust 90
10 the grounds and see this wonderful horse
that was tethere3 outside Arriving at the
canvass the horse proved 10 be in a side
show. and while debating the propriety of
entering. the two were joined by large,
fine looking man. who was introduced by
Miller a. Judge Wilson. an cx-chicf justice
of Pennsylvania The Judge bad just been
sent by the pro prietor to invite Miller and
his friend 10 come inside free. Once beneath
the canvass Mr.. Iiyengood discovered the
wonderful horned horse to be an alligator;
but this marvellous equine was not the only
curiosity inside Seated al a table on the
side Of the tent farthest from the entrance,
from which he was hid by strip OF canvass,
sat = man carelessly throwing around tick
cts. Tickets for the great kentHcky lottery,
gentlemen! Every tenth one draws prize.
The reds win; sure to double your money.
Here you are!H and he laid down two tick
ets-one in front Of Miller and one in front
If Mr. Livengood. They were both red, and
each called for fifteen hundred ,ioilars, but
/ ~ order to secure this wonderful prize the
pos,e,Sor of eaca ticket must cover the prize
with duubie the amount of money Drawn.
"Rut ! nave no money. objected Miller;
"niy wiie las inne.n j aaye none ether,
ren.ied lAven.oOd Nay hc y1u have some
a, aaoiher place suggested tie Judge The
old gentleman Admitted that he had three
thousand dollars ia the Farmers Bank of
Mcy yersdale. bu. thar was eight miles of.
Miller sand that his team was at the door,
and that h. would take him 10 Neyersdale
and bring him back free of charge. When
they reached Meyersdale. Miller made some
excuse for stopping near the edge of town
aud sent the old gentleman on to the bank
alone Mr. s ID. i.ivengood, president of the
bank. being busy AT the time, did not give
the matter much attention. but was surpris-
ed nj the amount of money asked for and
demurrcd about giving It 20 him, insisting
that he was too old u be carrying that
amount Of money around the country. and
offering him eastern exchange. But being
assured that his customer wan;ed il and that
it was 20 be used as tender. he handed
over the currency. Joining his p;ous friend
the two returned to Salisbury. passing Liy-
engood's son on the road. Re-enteriag the
tent Miller laid down a package of money,
Iivepeood took his out of hi, pocket, when
the lottery man seized both packages and
swept them into his box. with some remark
about they had lost. Miller burst into tears
and walled profusely. His affected grief
imposed on the credulity oi the old gentle
man. and rs the Judge remarked that it was
right and that they had lost fairly, Liyen-
good staggered vut confused and stunned.
and this would probably have been ~ uA-
told tale had not NJ. ;. ID. TiSensdod ME,
Frank, the scn Of Jacob Livengood, ON the
streets OF s.eyersdale ard told him Of the
amount of money his father had drawn
from the bank The son knowing that his
father had no use for that sum of money,
and surinising that everything WAS not as
/, shonld be. started for Salisbury only to
find his father SO stunned and pros;rated as
10 be unable to give a clear account of what
had happened on Friday the old gentle
man was able to tel the :sie rs il IS here set
down, and warrant for the arrest OF the
pgoprietcrs of the show wss sworn oat and
placed ia the l.anos OF sheF5if spangleF.
Deputy Sheriff hickey started in pursuit
of the show on Friday, and Monday even
ing teIegraphcd hume that be had recover
ed the money and would return with ii on
Tuesday