Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-27
THE ATHENS OF THE SOUTH.
Looking Out for Sections of the
Won Keubens Family.
Nashville Banner. %.


The grand fine art institute s5d
beneficiary bureau that recently took
Nashville by storm, has suddeoly
turned out to be a myth, and the Won
heubens who conducted it so artistic
ally. are shown to be frauds. having
slipped out Of the city between two
days, leaving all their bills (their name
is legion) unpaid.
About two weeks ago, a woman
apparently about thirty years old.
registered at the Nicholson House as
Mrs. ElOise Won Reuben, of Balti.
more (spelling Baltimore Wroug). She
was keen witted, shrewd, fine talker,
ssnId wlthal a prepossessing woman.
one mad a baby with her very much
resembling creole. On the
same day of her arrival
a man registered at the
same hotel as Ralph Richmond, of
Buffalo, N. Y, and was seen with the
woman quite frequently, often going
TO her room. In fact, he was occupy.
ing the place of her alleged husband,
who had not yet arrived, according To-
the testimony Of the servant girl a (
nurse. This man left last Wednesday
and has not been seen since, and Fri.
day Mrs. Won Reuben stated that her
husband, Horace Won Reuben, would
reach here next day.
The woman was a great worker. and
rented rooms for her gallery from Mr.
Heed Duval, at No. 263 Church street.
agreeing to take them for a year
She had them handsomely furnished
and the floors carpeted with a
tapestry Brussels carpet, which she
bought from Benson & Brown, and
never paid for. Among the furni.
ture a mantel mirror worth $50
She placed flaming advertisements in
the papers and made contracts for a
year. She had large amount Of fancy
printing done-diplomas Of talent,
merit aud proficiency, by Howell &
Co. cards, by Marshall & Bruce
leaflets, by A. B. Tavel, etc., and
stood them all off" From whom
she bought the stove the reporter
could not learn. The agent Of the
Household sewing machine, on
Summer street, will miss her, as will
also the doctor who vaccinated her
child, and the woman who did some
washing and sewing for her. The
Banner knows her to the tune OF
&245O.
As stated above, she took rooms
at the Nicholson House and kept
servant there and one at her gallery.
All day Saturday she seemed quite
happy and danced about her room
and said she would be so glad
when Monday morning came.
(She knew by that time she
would have placed several hundred
miles between herself and her numer-
GUS creditors Early Saturday night
she said TO the servant: "You may 20
now. and need not come early to
morrow morning; in fact, you need
NOT come at ali if you do not want
to-"
About 8 o'clock Saturday night she
was seen going out to her gallery, and
yesterday morning she was gone, a1d
her board bill of 1926 left unpaid
Early this morning Mrs. Nicholson
and Mr.. Duval got out an attachment
upon what goods she left, viz: The
furniture. etc in the gallery, valued
at shout $3.50.
The reporter visited the gallery this
morning, and Mrs. Won Reuben had |
number of callors--pnpils. oarvsssers.
creditors and others, all looking like
they wished they had never made the |
acquaintance of the Won Reubens.
Ii required $40 in advance to ioiu
the beneficiary bureau and become a |
pupil, and it is said she had thirty
members. Uanvassers were employed |
and charged $40 fop their outfit aud !
promised $40 per week and Is per cent |
commission. She had canvassers in |
all parts of the city.
Mrs. Won Reuben tried to buy gold |
watch and chain from II. Wiggers, but |
her face, though very honest, was not |
quite good enough. She could too |
EASILY carry that away,
1t Mrs, Vol Reuben paid cut any |
money in Nashville, it has not been |
reported.
Horace Won Reuben has not reach |
ID Nashville yet.