Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-05-29
THE LAST RUSE OF HOMER
ARTIST HERR IN ANOTHER DIS
REPUTABLE ROLE.
And Tries to Continue squeezing
Them-Dr. j. +. Frantx HIS First
victim for REORGANIZATION a.
Treasurer.


Them-Dr. j. +. Frantx His First
victim for Resqueexinr-Herr AZ
"a Treasurer.
From Every Evening of Thursday
Homer A. Herr, who formerly resided
In this city, where he posed with indif-
ferent success as 3 high class artist and
sfterward In Philadelphia as the head OF
numerous imaginary syndicstes, has now
blsokmAiling scheme on hand, and has
marked a number Of prominent young
men OF this city, IS victims. While liv-
ing here Herr WAS regarded as q young
man of correct habits and had peculiar
git. OF language, and , taking manner,
which worked him into the confidence OF
the rung men here, who we're his COM
panions and friends. Possessed of =
visionary mind, the devotee Of art saw In
Mexioos silvery future great wealth for
all who got in on the ground floor. He
pictured In his artistic language the
hidden wealth in the land of Monte yuma
and his ability to induce the earth to
give up its wealth of silver. Just about
this time Mexioo's future and her mineral
wealth were attracting considerable atten-
tion from capitalists and number of
young men residing here entered into a
mining organization known I'd the United
States and Mexico Syndicate with capi-
tai of $4,000.
The stock holders being engaged In
various pursuits which occupied sll their
time, they had comparatively little to
give to the syrdioate's management.
Into this breach Herr threw himself, by
offering aud being elected secretary and
NJ q n q lad 4, L.
WAS regarded as the proper seat for opera
tions, and Herr xt little sacrifice gave up
his dusky study, and devoted himself en-
tirely to the financial management of the
affair. He furnished the syndioate's efios
in keeping with his visionary pictures Of
great wealth to be taken from the niue
which the syndicate owned, and lived in
right royal style. Judge Rits
was engaged as prospeotor for the
syndicate and WAS sent to
the frontier to develop the mine. Herr,
at home, gave highly oolored reports OF
the syndioate's prospects, which the
members accepted for quite q Tins In
perfectly good faith. The reports became
mOnotonous after time, and a number
of members OF the syndicate waited on
Herr to try to learn the direct and correct
state Of their Affairs.
When questioned about the cash sent
to the prospeotor he unhesitatingly stated
that Mr.. Rice had been sent $40, 900 at
different times and that he (HerT) had
the vouchers. When asked TO show the
the vouchers he gave as an excuse that
one of his associates in the management
persisted In keeping them and he conld
not produce them without some previous
notice. Word WAS received from Judge
Rioe In Mexico Of his scarcity of m ,nay
receipts, but little space WAS devoted in
epistles to the work to the mine.
The syndicate "smslled q rat" and
appointed J. J. Pierce, one OF the mem
bars, to 60 to the mine and investigate
the matter. Here Mr.. Pierce found suffi
eient evidence to convince him of Herr's
duplic'ty and rasoality and, with Judge
Rice, he came home. A meeting OF the
syndicate WAS called and it WAS deter
mined to 60 to Philadelphia and investi.
gate Herr.
With Judge Rice, who was kept out Of
sight for time, the members met at the
Philsdelphis office where they found
Treasurer Herr in an exultant mood, still
picturing in red the syndicate's future
They called for an off ial report o.
finances which the suave treasurer gave
in his most eloquent and glowing style
He reiterated his statement to tht
effso! that $4,000 had beer
shipped to the frontier and .hs
the mines were in condition t,
shortly yield up great wealth. Aftel
GROSS questioning the gushing Herr
sharply and getting his statement az ali
reiterated, the unexpected Judge Rio
was ushered into Herr's presence. Tit
treasurer's countenarcs instantly
assumed more brilliant hues than hi
verbal reports had previously b Ell
clad in, and the traitorous Herr recoz
nized that his daring rasoality had beer
found out. He was confronted will
statements and documentary proofs IL
his own hand writing to the effect tha
he had only sent trifls over $3 900 tt
the frontier, and the inference was i'm
medistely drawn that the remainder o
the $4,000 capital had adhered to tn
pockets of the treasurer. He admitted il
part that the money had not beer put i,
lts proper channels, but offered in miti
CATION the statement that he had beef
squeezed.
One Of the flseoed members OF til
syndicate took Herr aldo, and iuforme,
him that his offense WAS likely to lam
him in the penitentis.y, for term O
years. The treasurer fully oognizant @
The fact, meekly admitted that such wa
the position he occupied. After a consul
tation the members of the syndicate
had expressed their determination
press the matter through the courts
nniess the defaulting treasurer ooul
make a satisfactory restitution for th
money he had appropriated to his ow
use. Now crestfsllen but still hopefu
Herr denied the possession OF auythin
IN The shape OF money that could be r,
turned to heeoed members. Ate
Jogging his memory trifls he recalle
the fact that the safe in the luxuriou
once contained some unused notes Of th
different members of the syndicate. I'll
ho'es and suoh other effects as the trei
surer had we're turned over to the d
frauded syndicate, who thought that
would not be of any fnsncisl advantsl
10 prosecute him in court, a
cepied the settlement as satisfaction
The settlement Herr regarded as mo
fortunate way to escape from the pen
tentiary and he appeared delighted
lhs result OF his scheme, which nettt
him considerable cash and no physio
discontinue. The cfices Herr regard,
as not likely to prove go profitable in Il
iuture, he resigned, but the syndicate +
used to accept the resignation until
mad made full account of the dispof
hon OF Its money.
II was thought the matter WAS end
and nothing would further be heard fro
'he treasurer of rOseste reports 10 Il
contrary, however, DR.. jacob K Frani
OF this oity member of the syndica
was arrested in Philadelphia yesterd'
aud held in $8,400 bail by Jud
Arnold, on oapias in oil,
proceedings issued at the suit
Herr. who alleges that Frantz al
several oonfederates, who have u
hitherto been arrested, robbed him
threat and intimidation Of about "a, o
In money and notes. The oo-defendar
are Jerome B. Bell, Clinton Rice, C.
Lobdell, Edgar Il. Cook, ]. J. Peiros Al
j. K. Baylis.
Herr, with monumental Audaoity ,olaii
that he WAS the creditor Of several Of I
defendants for money loaned and mon
due from commercial transactions.
September, 1852, they all called at !
ofhos, he AYERS in his complaint, Ar
having secured the doors, by threats q
Intimidation compelled him to part wi
their individual notes and money amour
ing to nearly $4,000.
\ The appropriation of other peopl
funds states that they (ihe members
The syndioate) were threatened "