, 1884-09-20
A VENERABLE RACKET.
Another Attempt to Play the Gold
Brick Game.
Disastrous Results to the Parties
ofthe First Part.
Who Are Thinking it all Over Be-
hind the Bars.


to the Inter Ocean in a top buggy, which
was drawn by a spanking team of horses.
One of them alighted and entered the
bar-room. While he was gone, the man
in the carriage handed a bystander a re.
volver and exclaimed; 81 deputizc you
to arrest that man." The gentleman ad
dressed declined rather emphatically. In
the meantime his companion returned with
a drink, which was gracefully swallowed.
The same ret urned the glass to the bar
and in his absence the mar in the vehi-
Gle made a similar request Of an athletic
stranger standing near. But the stranger
declined and asserted he was not in the
arresting business. By this time the one
who had brought the drinkables returned,
and as he approached the carriage, the
occupant dropped the pistol on him and
cried, Hands up"
There was the usual array of l%oungcrs
in front of the hotel at this particular
juncture and about fifty pairs of hands in
stantly sought a higher altitude. The man
addressed didn't hesitate but put up his
digits with the rest. The individual with
the revolver got out of his buggy, left the
team in charge ola bystander and started
with his prisoner for the Jail.
Inquiry soon disclosed the true inward
ness ofthe matter. The man who made the
arrest was Eli Hamilton, a carpenter by
trade, and his companion was Sam Clay
ton, who at one time was a bartender for
Shingle & Turpin. The cause of his ar
rest was that Clayton and a partner had
tried to work Hamilton with the gold
brick racket.
About three weeks ago Clayton, who
had become quite intimate with Hamil-
ton, informed him Of scheme to make
some money readily and rapidly. He
then told the usual story of a friend of his
who had assisted in robbing a stage coach
in Montana. Among the other valuables
captured was n gold brick worth So, 900.
His friends partner had been taken
prisoner and was liable to undergo a life
of imprisonment, but he escaped and now
had the gold brick in his possession.
This friend of Clayton wished to get
his partner out of the clutches of the law.
What he wanted was to sell the brick
to some one, and, with the proceeds, fly
to the rescue of his friend. 1t was a rich
investment, and for 81, 500 it was alleged
hat Hamilton could secure the brick,
which could easily be disposed of for five
times that AMOUNT.
Hamilton appeared to be much in
terested in this statement. but as he did
not like the idea of putting himself in
the position of purchasing stolen goods he
went to Prosecuting Attorney Baird and
told him the story. Mr.. Baird informed
him of course that the stage robbery bust
ness was all moonshine, and advised
Hamilton to go on with the racket and
have the parties arrested. Hamilton
took his advice and continued to play the
part of the gullible but well-fxed granger.
For a long time he drank, smoked, and to
use his own expression, gambled q little
with Clayton, each day becoming more
intimate. At length he intimated that
he would buy the brick provided it was
as represented.
A meeting was arranged between Ham
ilton and Clayton's friend. On Monday
night they sought the bridge on the Den
yer branch of the Union Pacific railroad.
Here they were met by the confederate
whose face was shielded by a mask and
the brick exhibited. Then came the offers
and refusals and after the usual amount of
dickering and bantering it was agreed to
take 81, 226 fer the prize.
In the meantime the Sheriff, of course,
had been informed Of the proceedings and
began to make exertions to secure the
parties. Hamilton finally discovered Clay
tons confederate to be none other than
Dick Dyer, a well known character about
the city.
Yesterday was the day on which the
property was to be delivered and the cash
turned over Clayton and Hamilton se-
cured G pair of horses and starred for the
rendezvous which was ina hollow place on
the prairie about half n mile beyond the
fats.
There they were met by Dyer who was
again disguised. He produced the brick,
delivered it to Hamilton, who paid him
S26 in cash and gave his check on Posts
bank for the remaining 81, 200. Clayton
and Hamilton Immediately returned to the
city and drove to the Inter Ocean, where
Hnmilton arrested him in the manner
above narrated.
When Clayton was brought to the Jail
Sheriff S~harpless Immediately started out
in quest of Dyer. In a short time he
found him on the street and told him that
he was wanted. Dyer asserted that he
knew nothing of the affair and quietly ac-
c%ompanied the officer to the Court house.
Here he was searched but nothing of any
value was found on his person nor my
thing that would implicate him in the af-
fair.
The parties were arraigned before Judge
Fisher in the afternoon, and Dyer was
held to await examination tomorrow at 2
O'Clock p. IN. His bail was fixed at 1900,
and late in the evening he WA endeavoring
to find bondsmen.
Both of the men arrested are well
known in the city, and it would seem
uern credited with tnn mnch hnrao ronan