Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-24
n BUNKOED BANKER.
krastus Corning's Alleged Nephew
Plays 1t on Mr. SDraker

AaSs II on MT. Spraker.
A New York special, August %. saws
Mr.. William Spraker, Vice President O.
the Canajoharie National Bank. who i.
stopping with his wife and daughter a.
4 the Continental Hotel, was Yesterday vic
tlmized by the bunko sharpers of Gone,
Island to the extent of 800 in cash and :
4 thirty days note on the First NatiOna
Bank of Albany for $500. Mr.. SprakeI
/ came from Albany a few DAYS age anC
/ put up at the Continental Hotel. In his
I conversations with the clerk he talked
freely of his connections with the vel
/ known Spraker family, among the oldest
/ In Northern New York, and after whom
/ Sprakersyille, in Montgomery county. is
/ named. He had large sum of money,
I which he deposited in the hotel safe and
4 drew upon from time to time.
| Yesterday morning Mr.. Spraker rose
4 early, and inquired of the clerk when the
Coney Island boats left. A quiet Young
man stood at the desk at the time, and ap-
/ peated entirely unconscious of Mr..
! Spraker.
The clerk recommended the iron steam
boats, and Mr.. Spraker, accompanied by
ms wife and daughter started to catch
the l0 O'Clock boat. Previous to his de-
parture he drew the balance of his money.
which he placed in an old-fashioned wal
let In the presence of the stranger, While
the boat was passing the Robbins Reef
Lighthouse Mrs. Spraker asked her hus-
| band what was the name and object of
the structure. Mr.. Spraker was unable
to give the information, but at this stage
Well dressed young man volunteered to
point out the various objects of interest in
the harbor. When his offer was accepted
he apparently discovered that he was ac-
quainted with the family.
why, is that you, Mr.. Spraker?" he
said cordially. Il am sorry did not re-
cognize you before. | was thinking all
the while where to place you. Surely.
you must know my uncle, Mr.. Erastus
Corning, of Albany?''
The old confidence game was PLAYED in
the usual fashion, and during the rest of
the trip the Old gentleman talked freely of
MS acquaintance with the famous banker
OF Albany. Dinner was proposed at the
Iron Pier. and Mr.. Spraker Willingly as
sented. During the meal the obliging
stranger talked of his recent trip to Eu-
rope and explained the mysteries of the
continent. The flow of European remi-
niscences was finally Interrupted bv a
man who approached and wildly demand
ed from Mr.. Corning 5000, which he claim
ed was owing to him. Mr.. Corning was
nonplussed and started to procure the
necessary funds to liquidate the debt, but
had only $50 and note purporting to have
been drawn by a prominent resident of
Albany. The creditor was Obdurate and
insisted on the payment of the claim. He
was offered the note, but it was refused.
AT last Corning appealed to Mr.,
Spraker, saying that he was a perfect
stranger in New York, and as he had lust
returned from Europe with his wife and
family he was unable to discount the note.
lie offered the note to Mr.. Spraker who
readily accepted and handed over 800 in
cash and his check for $500 on the bank.
of which he was Vice President. This the
creditor took, and after drinking a bottle
OF wine he intimated that as Mr. Spraker
was unknown to him it would be best To
have the check certified. No objection
was offered and together the party strolled
toward the telegraph office in the Hotel
Brighton to have the bank notified and
receive the acknowledgment of the Cash
Ter that Mr.. Spraker's account was good
for the amount.
AS they were passing the police station
Chief Mckane recognized the two oblig-
ing strangers as old confidence men. He
sent an officer to follow the party, with
instructions to watch them carefully. AS
Mr.. Spraker had finished writing the dis
patch the officer stepped up and arrested
the sharpers, and took them to the station.
Where Chlei Mchane explained to Mr.
Spraker who his newly made friends
really were. The old bank President
nearly tainted when informed of the at
tempt made to swindle him, and his wife
reproached him for his over-confidence.
The chief searched the prisoners and
found the check, but the money had been
spirited away. As Mr.. Spraker received
the paper which he had drawn so recently
IN the best of faith he exclaimed to his
wife, ''Well, Mariar, who would have
thought | was such big fool?'
Inc prisoners were taken before Justice
Williams, but His Honor was Obliged to
discharge them for lack of evidence. Both
were, however, treated to a dose of Chief
Mckane's clubbing, and were put aboard
a train for New York with a warning not
to return.