Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-08-05
a BolpI s'coUNDRfl
Who Operates a Confidence Scheme
In Marshall County.
The Freaks Of Bold lmpostOr and Pious
Swiadler---Working the Relative
Racket On a large Scale.

One of the shrewdest cases Of deception
known was perpetrated in the neishborhood
of Woodlands, Marshall county in which
Mr.. James Gossett, quiet and easy going
farmer, residing one mile from the Ohio
River railroad station at Fish Creek, was the
victim. A month since q prepossessing
gentleman of about thirty or thirty.fiye
wears of age went to the residence Of Mr..
Gossett and introduced himself as c. Il.
Gossett, of Terra Haute, Ind, claiming to
be nephew of Mr.. Gossett. Making him
self agreeable in every manner possible and
displaying unquestioned knowledge OF nr.
G 8 family connections in Indiana, he
was admitted in the family and esteemed rs
the relative he was personating, OF whom
they had little real knowledge. Asa web
come visitor he awaited himself Of their gen
erous hospitality and enjoyed himself gener-
ally. He explained that the object OF his
visit was to convey the intelligence ofthe
death of Mr.. Gossett's sister, whereby
large sum of money was bequeathed him.
This, together with his apparent interest for
the family and his enticing manneri won
their entire confidence, thus laying; has
plans for a more remuneratiye scheme.
During lis stay he attended church withthe
family taking an active part in public wos-
ship and adding very materially in church
and Sabbath school work. He appeared as
piouS as newly ordained local divine thus
making his deceptive powers work like
charm. His pretended father correspended
regularly with him. In one of his letters
he invited him to bring son of Mr.. G.'s
home with him. Later he received word
that his father would also come to West
Virginia asking him to meet him. Almost
daily letters of similar import were received,
all of which he permitted the family to read
Thinking perhaps that as his stay lengthen-
ed, suspicion might be possible, he on
Monday of last week disappeared as
mysteriously as he came. Be
fore leaving, however, he procured
at least FIVE or six dollars on pretense OF
paying express charges on baggage he had
ordered, as he said from Wheeling, He
also tc ok gold watch and chain belong
ing to one of Mr.. G. S sons, and consider
able amount of clothing with what other
personal effects he could conveniently con-
ceal. Ii is presumed the letters were writ
ten by confederates who have their head
quarters in Wheeling.
The rogue is of medium size, has dark
mustache. is well informed upon. all sub.
ects, and his winning ways serve him well
to make friends and he soon becomes in
innate with all he meets. we'll
founded rumor is afloat that an I'M
due intimacy existed between him and
veil thought of widow lady of the neighbor-
hood Since the rascals departure the
Go. sett family has written to relatives in
Maryland and from description the same
man played the same game on relatives
there. The people of the community re-
gard the case as one OF unparalleled bold
ness, and no little feeling OF bitterness ex,
lists against the seducer, which, should he
return, would be rigidly manifested,