St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-05
NAM MOTH SWlNDLE.
A Mammoth Swindle Nipped in the
Bud in New York CITY.

A Mammoth Swindle Nipped in the
Bud in New York City.
New YORK, Oct. 4.-Tbe police arrested
Alexander c. Branscom, who had originated
and carried out an original scheme for
swindling which came near being successful,
aud reaping a fortune for the originator
Branscom is a one armed man, but yields 4.
pen with his left arm with wonderful skill.
He has served three years and a half in pri-
son for forging Florida water bonds
and his scheme was TO publish two elaborate
works Of interest to visitors TO the New Or
leans Worlds fair, guide book, costly af-
fair called Resources and Attractions Of the
SOUTH" and sell advertising space worth
So, 900 and dispose of the books and copy
right in cash for q round sum, meanwhile
depending on forgery for the necessary
means to keep the scheme going till its com
pletion, and be contracted with the American
News company 10 take 100000 guide books
and the title and copyright at
S25, 900, and the resources at $50, 0OO
OF the latter 10, 900 copies were to be printed,
and 1t was to be sold at $40 q copy, and the
money was to be paid in g lump on de-
livery Of the books. Branscom forged let
ter Of Introduction purporting TO be written
by Edward Richardson and William Oliver,
president and secretary Of the Mississippi
Wooden mill in Wesson, Miss, representing
him as an agent and authorized to publish
the proposed works. Richardson is president
Of the New Orleans Worlds exposition and
a prominent southern man. With the letters
he found no difficulty in making
contracts for the works and material,
supplying copy himself and presenting In
payment forged notes, payable in four months
and bearing Richardson and divers sigma
lures. The American Bank Note company
is a victim 10 the amount of $40, 600. and the
Peter Adams Paper company $4,000 The
latter company paid Branscom 81, 500 in
cash, the difference between the amount Of
their bill, and his note. Carlow g. Bros,
paper dealers, accepted a forged note for
$12, 900, and returned 10 Branscom $4,000
cash. Cosack & Co., printers, Buffalo, were
caught to the amount Of e., 600. J. j. Little
s. Co., printers, this city, took note for
IS, 900 and Hastings & Todd, dealers in card
board, this city, took note for a like
amount. The last named firm afterwards
cashed his personal note for $4,000. The
Century Printing company took note for
$500 for electrotypes. The cash Branscom
received he deposited in the National Shoe
and Leather bank and drew upon II for ex-
penses. He thus collected $4,000. In g
month his book would have been out
He would have collected $110, 900 In one day
and skipped, leaving unpaid debts amount
ing to over $4,000. Carson q Brothers
grew suspicious and communicated with
Inspector Byrnes. A telegram to the wooden
mills in Wesson, Miss, exposed the forger-
les, and their financial agent, Mr.. Richard
son, in New York, swore out a warrant and
Branscom was arrested last night IN the
Stewart building, where be had hired an
Office. He admitted his crime and was held
on the charge Of forgery. Ten thousand
copies of ''The Resources aud Attractions OF
the South" are printed. The loss viii be 50
great and the books said 10 have so much
genuine merit that 1t is proposed to have
them completed and published on the orig
ipsl plan by syndicate OF the creditors,
who win take up and pay the notes.