Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-05
SHREWD SPINDLE EXPOSED.
Detective Wren Breaks Up a Sharp scheme
AIRES, OF One OF the Parties-The Other Es-

Deteettve wren Brcakstp SHARP SCHEME
Arrest OF One OF the Parties-The Other Es-
eapes.
Friday evening Detective John Wren
saw two suspicious-iooking characters at
the Exchange Hotel. They were putting
their heads together and handling blank
checks, and behaving in a way that caused
the detective 10 watch them closely. He
was certain that the men were after some
thing wrong, and yesterday morning he
put two Of his force on their tracks. with
instructions 10 shadow them, and at the
same time warned the banks 10 be on the
lookout. Wren got on the track
OF the game that the two men
were trying 10 play, and this Is what
IL was: The strangers were nicely-dressed,
gcnteel-looking men, and they made IL
point to enter some welrknown house and
Introduce themselves, and one would say
that he was the nephew OF some partner OF
firm In Baltimore well known to the Rich
mond merchant by reason Of his business
dealings with him; represent himself as
travelling for pleasure through the South,
and ask IL any letters had been received for
him by the Richmond dealer. OF course
none would be on hand, but the way was
being paved for the trick which YVES in
tended TO be played. Daily this call for
letters would be repeated, after which
telegram from Baltimore would be
received sent by confederate there, and
addressed TO the Richmond merchant ask
ing him 10 honor the draft +" of my nephew
and obligc," &c. Then the nephew would
come IN with a telegram from the uncle
saying, s'See MIR. So-and-So and he Twill
honor draft These would be compared by
the Richmond merchant aud the money
would be apt TO be Forthcoming. Detective
Wren found out two houses that had been
visited In this way-Purcell, Ladd Il Co.,
n druggists. and James Golden, boots, shoes,
&c. Messrs. Purcell, Ladd u Co. had re-
/ceiyed bogus telegram from w. II. Brown
Co.. druggists. OF Baltimore. asking them
10 endorse draft OF their nephew. Wren
telegraphed Brown q Co., OF Baltimore. and
ascertained that they had not sent
any such telegram. He put himself
10 the Office OF Purcell. Ladd a Co.
and awaited the appearance OF his man.
Two detectives were shadowine them, and
saw one Of them enter Mr.. Golden's store;
the other stood on the outside, and as Mr..
Golden demurred to endorsing the draft.
they became alarmed and left. One went
toward Manchester, the other went 10 the
Exchange Hotel, each followed by dotec-
tive. The enc at the hotel escaped from
the rear Of the Ballard House; the other
went through Manchester, and disappeared
ut fun speed In woods beyond the town.
Detective Wren had the luck 70 cap
furs enc Of the men at the Byrd.
Street depot Just rs he was about leay-
Ing the city. This man gave his name as
A. ID. Howels atlas Hamilton, &c. He
had number OF papers and kilograms on
his person. and talked freely OF his scheme. |
Among ether things was the following list !
Of names. sent him BY man named Carter, |
10 Baltimore. who advised him Of the fact |
~ saying, 81 send youa few more pointers
ior Richmond; A. Greentree. IL. Rosen-
baum, s. syele, s. Kraker, A. Saks q Co.,
70 be referred to Frank 4 Hsmmersiough,
80 west Broad street, Baltimore; J. A.
6ngg, 70 be referred to Charles Heissr,
baltimore; and Carlton q To-, TO be re.
fcrTed 10 Faust d Holman, Baltimore.
The man was locked up at the Second
po'ict-station for examination before 20.
Ilte-JLstice Richardson.