The National tribune., 1883-07-19
wEBB'S wICKEDNESS.
The Bogus Pension Agents Scandalous Conduct at
Cumberland, Md.


From an article in the Cumberland, Md, |
Daily Nes, of the 18th inst, it appears that the
bogus pension agent, A. C. Webb, whoses swim |
ding operations at Fossillville, Pa, have al |
ready been described in THE TRIBUNE also |
practised his wiles in that section, though with
out success in the line of pensions. Says the
Nears:
1--WE knew of the fellows doings some time
since, but were requested by the Government
authorities not to make the matter public, as 1T
was expected he might return here and his ar
rest be effected. AS, however, the matter has
been made public, we now give the full details
and a history of the performances in Cumber-
land of this shrewd and unprincipled swindler.
On May &c, last, this man, calling himself A.
C. Webb, of Harrisburg Pa, arrived in Cum
berland, and went to board with Mrs. Amanda
Anderson a widow lady living on Bedford
street. He told this lady that he had, in for
mer DAYS, known at Harrisburg her husband,
who was once member OF the Pennsylvania
Legislature. he further stated that he Webb
was now receiving $500 a year from the
Government as Pension Commissioner
He worked on the confidence and the attec-
ton of Mrs. Anderson TO such an extent
that he finally induced her to marry him.
and the ceremony was performed at Hynd-
man, May so. Returning from the we'd
ding tour TO Cumberland he prevailed upon
the lady TO give up her bo2rders, as he was
amply able to support her, and induced her son
James, aged about twenty, TO give up the occu-
patton he was then engaged III and employed
him as clerk with the promise of $3.50 per
day for nine months. In the meantime he was
working ipdustriously with the old soldiers
and their widows of Bedford county, making
this city his headquarters He worked chiefly
on the increase-in-pensions dodge, though in
one or two instances he pretended to engineer
| original claims. In all cases he compelled pay
ment of revenue fee, which he said the
| Government required TO be paid before any
thing could be done. His ordinary fee was 81,
| with $7.50+-0 widows, as he alleged their cases
required greater trouble. In Hyndam alone he
! swindled unsuspecting persons out of $40, and
/ in Fossillville and the Cumberland Valley it is
| supposed be got enough more TO net him 5000
! He never, so far as known, tried to operate
. but once in Cumberland, and then unsuccess-
fully, having doubtless been deferred from try
ing it here by the presence in the city OF Major
! w T. Van Doren, Jr., special examiner OF the
| Pension Bureau who did not, however, hear OF
the swindler's operations until after he had
left.
"Al went merrily with Webb and his new
| made wife and friends, until about June 9Th,
| when he pretended TO start for Harrisburg,
saving he would return in about week or So,
and take his bride TO an elegant establishment
| he had in that city The second day after he
was gone his wife received telegram IRON
| Hyndman, saying he had been detained, and
would not return quite SO soon as intended. Ot
course he has not been heard from since. He
leaves behind him q large number OF anxious
individuals, men and women, whom he had
gulled into believing that IN fifteen days from
the time he took their fees and filed out their
blanks they would receive their certificates OF
increase. In most instances the fellow had
succeeded in obtaining from his dupes all the
documentary evidence they possessed ofrlght to
receive pensions. Soon after the bird had flown
Major Van DoreE heard of the matter, but toe
late to cause his arrest on the charge OF obtain.
ing money under false pretenses.
.'Webbs description IS as follows: About
fifty-two years old, Jas indicated by tattooed
inscription. July 8. 1881 on one of his arms
, said b. himself to be the date of his BIRTH
slight cataract over both eyes; short of stature
sandy complexion, and when last seen wore
heavy sandy mustache and long hair; Away!
carried a black loaded India-rubber cane, and
generally walked with his head down; hat
quick manner of speaking; when on duty h'
wore suit of blue, with staff buttons. anC
/ military hat
The lady whom he married and then heart
lessly deserted is a peasant-sneken and estI
: Inable woman. Her suspicious were first some
, what aroused, when, on Webb's last departure
2 ne took along his overcoat, something he ha'
5 not previously done. She expresses great dis
2 gust and Indignation at the treatment sh'
J received. One consolation she has is that mos
Z of the boarders whom the precious scoundre
drove away have returned"