New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-27
LOOKING FOR A GANG or SWINDLERS

EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS BY MEANS or FORGED
ORDERS OF wELL-KNOwN FIRMS.
For long time the police have been cndeayoring
to run down a gang of swindlcrs who have been
operating on AN extensive scale by of forged
orders OF prominent firms Although the rogues
been very active of late, thus far their schemes
have been baified IN almost every
instance. Recently by means of forged orders of
james J. McKenna d Brother. brass founders. Of
No 424 East ty-thrd-st. some prominent
downtown metal dealers. among othors Phelps.
Dodge g. Co.. delivered several hundred dollars
worth OF metal TO the swindlers Inspector Byrnes
placed n detective the and the
next day the stolen metal was rooov-
cred in cellar in South-st. The men.
however. were not found. James J. Hckenna.
the senior member Of tho firm, Immediately in-
formed by mail all the metal dealers ia the city that
forged orders them were being used. Ten days
ago four men and. woman were arrested in the
basement ola house IN Downing-st. where they
were found drinking wine. In their possession were
found six cases Of wines out of twenty-five cases
which had been obtained from f. DE Barry 81 Co. on
forged orders Of Holtz IL Koennecke. restaurant
keepers at Broadway and Leonard-st. Owing to
a lack Of positive evidence only one man was lac Id.
Complaints have also been sent TO Police lleadquar-
ters that at various times recently attempts have
been made 10 swIDdle by this method n number Of
Broadway Dry goods dealers.
Last night Inspector Byrnes detailed Detective
Sergeant Charles l.. B00khorn 10 try To hnd
swiBder who has been stirring up the
sIstent attem ITS to pass forged orders OF Otis &
Eye, one of the largest commission iirms IN the
market slim-built young man, with light com
plexion, well-dressed. and with gentlemanlike
manners, on Friday evening, week ago, presented
himself in the office of OTIS g. Eye. He gave his
name as Thomas s. Porter. and said that ho was
Earn
brought 90 head of cattle to Philadelphia
and sold them, and then came TO this city and was
number OF dressed hogs which he wished to ship to
OTIS 81 Eye when he returned to Ohio. He said
that his brother in Alliance had had dealings with
the firm two years ago, and mentioned several cir
cumstances which proved that he was familiar with
the transactions Mr. Otis assured him that they
would take his dressed hogs. and after agreeable
hall honr of con yersatlon Mr Porter departed. On
SatuI day the firm were informed that young man
VINO answered tue description OF Porter had gone to
the ~ ore of L. s. Davis, at No. 100 Barclay-st aud
represen led himself TO be the nephew Of Mr.. Otis.
He purchased twenty-five packages of butter
forged order from Otls Ege. and gave orders that
it should be- sent to their store. at No Is
Dey-st He gave in payment a check on the
Fui on Bank of Brooklyn. with the
forged Endorsement OF ,h Gus ht,S ~ o Ege. Inc Inc
the difference was obgngly paid TO Mr, Otiss
nephew" The swinde was discovered when the
Monday about noon 500 Havana cigars, nicely
tied up. came 20 the store in Dey-st. Mr. Otiss
nephew had ordered them, the bearer rau, AT
Arthur Jeffreyss No. 81 Cortlandt-st. The young
man had a tempted TO pay for them with check with
a surplus and pocket the surplus but the business
methods of MIR. Jefireys blocked ms gamo.' Inc Inc
same evening q twO-horse truck containing 100
bushels OF oats was driven TO the Dey-st store
They had also been ordered by Mr.. Otis's nephew"
to be sent 10 Jersey CITY where he said MS uncle
kept his horses, but ii. Dusenbury, produce ner-
chant, of No 100 West-st suspected that something
was wrong ana had the oats taken to Dye-st On
Tuesday tnere camet the store 25 tubs oil iaru rom
q. H. IIetien OF No 1853 Green Wich-St.; on Weunes-
day John Anderson d. Co., OF No. IA Llberiy-st;,
sent ten pals Of tobacco, aud on Thursday L; w;
McGowan d. Co., OF No. % Broadway, sent load
OF hops valued at 81, 800 10 tho Deyst. store. Ia
every instance the articles ordered by the tall
hght-complexioned, fraudulent nephew oil MI
Otis -
81 began 10 be ANNOYED and fearful
lest somebody should be vlctlmized,"
said Mr.. otis last night The man
tried doubtless 10 have the goods sent to some point
where lie could have them made away with, but
the suspicion or busIness-ke methods OF the prod
uoe merchants about here compelled him 20 order
tho goods 20 be sent TO our store. He kept going
the rounds. hoping 10 hnd somebody oredulous