Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-22

customers, to investigate his standing there A
telegram received from Mr.. Murdock Yesterday said
that he had seen Harris and he would take care OF
the money In his hands Mr. Murdock, it is said is
In Philadelphia to-day making further inquiries
A BAD REPORT FROM NEW YORK.
Mr.. Peter Purman, who had been interested in
OIL speculations as well as in various enterprises
with Lewis, returned from New York to-day, and
reported, as the result OF his inquiries that Lewis
anairs In New York were in a very unpromsing
condition.
"wINE WORKS WONDERS"
MI. Frank h. Smith, friend OF Lewis, left the
city Tuesday In search OF Lewis, the suppoSition
that Lewis was on spree and that he could man.
age him and bring him back Many OF Mr. Lewis
customers, 1t is said, pleased with the profits he
made for them have recently made him presents
Office This wine it is said by those who cling TO
the spree theory, was the cause OF the present
uneaSineSS
GONE 10 NEW YORK.
Col j. Q. p Burnside, who has dealt in OIL largely
through Lewis, and who had induced many OF his
friends to go In and share the wealth Lewis was
making for his customers, has also gone to New
YORK In search OF the absent one.
eaL Lewis, it Is said, held number OF Russell
SageS putt privileges. and made $4,000 or $4,000
out OF the recent raid on Mr.. Sage.
THE MARYLAND MICA COMPANIES
Lewis was active In promoting the organization Of
the several mica mining companies that have within
the last year purchased land I'm Maryland gentle
man acquainted with the affairs OF these companies
said TO STAR reporter to-day that he did not think
Lewis had any funds OF the Companies or that his
departure would In any way affect the companies.
'FRozEN OUT"
The sign OF the National Refrgerating company
In front OF Lewis Office was the subject OF many
grim joke today among customers, who think
Iney nave Oeen "froZen out"
Lewis was a director and treasurer OF that COM
pany. Lewis accounts with the company are how
ever, all straight. and the company will not he
auecoeu AT all whatever may be the outcome OF the
present affaJ,.
LEWIS PROPERTY ATTACHED.
This morning W. j. Purman entered suit at law
against George H. Lewis, who is alleged to have alb
seconded with funds OF his customers to recover
$3,S4O, and also secured writ OF attachment, and
IL was served this afternoon by the marshal nine
lots standing In defendants name-east half IL and
10 and 16. square 60S g. &C., IL. 666 z east OF Co.
ana 2iS In square 675 northeast OF the Government
frlntlng Office. The last piece OF property Is as
sessed in excess OF the claim.
Inc attachments cover all the property that Is in
Lewis name In this city. 1t includes some real es-
tate, valued at four five thousand dollars which
ne recently bought, the office furniture and the
pank account t the Central and at the Second Ma
tlonal bank II Is not thought that Lewis has any
money at all at the Second National and only
small amount at the Central
DEPUTY MARSHAL IN CHARGE OF THE OFFICE
DNPNeJ 1AoaohoA NdoS dJ Lewis OIuCe
about noon and took charge OF Lewis effects on the
suit of Mr.. Purman. Mr. Purman. who was one OF
the first to suspect that Lewis had gone for good
got out an attachment on Lewis bank account at
the second National bank Monday, but II was found
that bis account had been overdrawn.
LEWIS FAMILY NQUIRING FOR HIN.
DR.. Wright received a telegram this morning
from Lewis family, making inquiries concerning
him. Dr. Wright thinks that there is money due
Lewis In the hands OF the New York brokers, and
says that whatever is realized from this source will
be divided profa among the creditors 1t is said
that DR. Wright and his son will be heavy losers In
case Lewis fails to square accounts but DE-. Wright
still afnrms his faith in Lewis Integrity.
COL RoCKwELLs CONNECTION WITH LEWIS
Col Rockwell stated to a STAR reporter that the
real estate transaction between himself and Mr.
Lewis had gone no further than a verbal agreement
to buy and sell, and not cent or scrap OF paper
had passed between them Lewis had agreed to
buy the lot on the corner OF 18th street and Massa-
chuSetts avenue for SO much money. He was to
pay certain amount cash and execute deed OF
trust for the remainder. The deed was sent to Ger
mantown last Friday for Mrs. Lewis signature, and
was expected back on Monday or Tuesday. In the
meantime Col. Rockwell had prepared a deed OF
transfer OF the property which he still holds pend
Ing the consummat1on OF the sale.
ANXIOUS GOVERNMENT CLERKS
The Lewis mystery was subject OF general COM
ment about the departments to-day, as many OF
the clerks had invested various amounts with him,
and were anxious to learn all phases OF the matter
BROKERS WHO LAUGH.
The brokers In the uptown offices discussed this
morning the affairs Of Mr. Lewis with great deal OF
interest, and as they had not been affected by 1t
they could AFFORD to laugh over the operations OF
the broker and the panic OF the operators
"HS customers" remarked one OF the brokers,
'Seemed to be located In the immediate neighbor-
hood OF his office understand that the employees
In the Post ONCE department and some OF the busi
ness men in that vicinity were his principal Gus
toners think that 1t was a skin game, and that
there was no investment in oil at all"
II agree with you." remarked another, "but
don't see how Lewis could stay In town, his name,
you know, Is Leave-US."
The looks OF silent disgust which were cast upon
pleasant surprise he had already put on his hat,
under the expectation that he would be at once
invited out to take drink.
"a SPLENDID THING"
81 remember few days ago. resumed one OF the
group, "that a clerk in the Treasury department
came up to me and said, 4 have a splendid thing
'What is it?' asked with interest. $40 month
on $780, was the reply i put I'm 800 last month
and drew out $40. and the next month intend to
put in $780, guess he will be glad that he hasn't
the chance 10 put 1t in" concluded the broker.
EXPERIENCE OF AN INVESTOR.
One OF the operators In this venture related to a
STAR reporter his experience. "My attention was
first called to the business carried by Lewis by
friend, who said that he was doing well, and
wanted me to avail myself OF the chance He
showed me his bank book. and saw that he had
been getting checks for large amounts each month.
So on the 18th OF February put I'm $1,000, half OF
which was mine and half belonged TO a friend
whom had asked to 60 in with me. i drew out
my profits regularly each month. and by the first
OF May had drawn out $l.140 My intention was
to draw out first the original amount invested and
then simply invest from month to month my
profits"
"Whers did these profits come from ?" asked the
reporter:
"Do you then believe that there We're any pur.
chaSeS OF oil stock nader" continued the reporter.
know that when the business was small that the
profts were just as large they are now and this
would be impossible on the theory that the deposits
were taken to pay the profits"
ADVISED BIT COL BURNSIDE
A number OF the depositors with Lewis refer to
Col Burnside, the disbursing clerk OF the Post once
department, as the one who advised them OF this
opportunity OF making money. They believe that
he acted from friendly motive towards them and
that he was making a good deal OF money himself
Col Burnside left last night for New York, and he
Is said to be very much disturbed account of the
losses OF his friends. He will endeavor as far as
possible TO protect those who acted under his ad-
vice.
EMBARRASSED DEPOsToRs-BUsINESs MEN TAKEN IN
The embarrassment or the large number OF de-
positors, who were principally persons OF limited
means, forms the subject of great deal OF talk as
the facts gradually leak out. One man is reported
to have mortgaged his house for S8,OOO paving
eight per cent interest, and placing the entire cap
ital with Lewis Several business men are reported
to have invested as high as six and eight Thousand