Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-09-30
UNDER AN ATTORNEYS GARB.
A Syyindling soldier Plays the Un'
sophisticated sons of Erin by
Securing Rcmittances
Collect sUncxpected
bcgactcs."

In connection with the announcement
in last nights DEMOCRAT that q soldier
named James Harrington had been ar
rested for big swindling operation, the
following particulars will explain the
well-laid plans for wholesale robbery.
Last Wednesday Postmaster Lynch re-
ceived the following document, which
gives very good idea of the matter:
DARBow,. QuEEN's Co., Ireland, Sept: 9Th,
1S85.-To the Postmaster, Salt Lake CITY. =
Sir: enclose you two papers which were
sent to me by person who signs himself
"Jnmes harrington" and who claims to be
an attorney. | suspect the affair is fraud,
as he does not give his own address or that
of the other persons he mentions know
in some parts of America the letters are
kent in the postoffice in boxes with the
names of the persons they are for, but an
attorney should give his full address. If he
cannot prove he is an attorney, and show his
authority by proving he is employed by the
persons he mentions, and also the hand
writing of the Surrogate judge (Hon. IL. ID.
Hancocl) do not cash the order but return
it to me with the papers: you can deduct
the postage. Tho reason l sent INN tine
postal order without making inquiries first
Is TO have him caught in his own trap, if he
turns out to be a swindler, as that is the
only sure way he could be landed. 1t would
be public loss to have such imposters
escape the punishment of the law, and L
have not the slightest doubt but, as an i'm
portant government official, you would be
most willing to do all in your power to have
such frauds detected and those engaged in
them punished as they deserve. hope my
suspicion may be enron GUS, but from what
l have mentioned and in examining them,
wa Int NV RI M
groundess. Anyhow you will know the
Judges signature end probably the seal of
the court. If they are correct the state
ments are bound to be true. Apologizing
for having to trouble you about the matter,
am, sir, your obedient servant,
PATRICK O'FLANAaAN,
Merchant.
With the above letter were enclosed
some documents purporting to be signed
by Hon. Horace d. Hancock, rs Judge
of the Surrogate Court, Salt Lake City,
U. r., through his clerk, w. B. Black.
The document in one case is addressed to
Peter. Mcmahon and Mary Russell, of
Salt Lake City, Utah, and to Patrick
O'Flanagan, Of barrow, Queens county,
Ireland, requiring their presence before
the Surrogate Court on Oct. 22d, at IL
o'clock a. M, to attend to the property of
VIM. O'Flanagan, deceased. The COM
munication was also signed by james
Harrington, attorney for claimants.
A correspondence between Father
Kelly, Postmaster Lynch and United
States Commissioner Mckay resulted in
convincing all concerned that something
crooked was being perpetrated.
Yesterday afternoon about O'Clock
Attorney" James Harrington called ut
the post office to get the money order
cashed from Patrick O'Flanagan. 1t was
arranged by Mr.. Lynch and Officer Green.
man to there arrest him on warrant
from Mr.. Mckay, and as soon rs the
money was paid the defrauder, Deputy
Marshal Greenman stepped up and ar
rested him. In Marshal Ireland's office
Harrington was searched and the
$3.50 from tue money order, and great
many letters were taken from him. He
appeared uneasy and tried TO explain
that the matter was u private affair be-
tween him and party in Ireland. He
had signed sixteen of the documents and
forwarded them rs attorney" without
reading word of them, and he further
more said he had destroyed many letters
which would prove him all right in the
transaction. lie is thought TO be n
deserter from the British army; is
fair and about 20 years of age. He was
taken to the penitentiary last night.