Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-13
A QUEER CASE
In Which a Detective Agency Figures
Somewhat COnapIcuouslY
From, Saturdays Macon tGa) Telegraph.

somewhat C0nsp1cuousy
From Saturdays Macon (Ga) Telegraph.
Haddock's station, in Jones county, lies
thirteen miles east of Macon, on the Geor-
gia railroad. 1t possesses water tank
and three or four stores. Among the
honest tillers of the sell in the settlement
around is Mr.. E. P. Berry. Up to few
months ago Mr.. Berry was contented
with the life Of a farmer, and his only
ambition was to broaden his acres and
gaze upon a lowing herd Of his own
Jerseys.
But some time in the early part OF last
September there dropped down into Had
docks a man who gave his name as
George Washington Nelson. He was
poor man, he said, and wanted work for
himself and the wife who accompanied
him. Mr.. Berry needed farm hand, and
in short while Nelson and his wife were
duly domiciled on the farm. Nelson
proved to be hard, industrious worker,
and Mr.. Berry was pleased.
During the long evenings, after the
horses were fed and the chickens had
gone to roost, Nelson and his employer
sat by the wide-mouthed fireplace and
talked long and quietly.
Nelson told Berry that he was the chief
detective for this Section of the American
and European Secret Service Company,
headquarters at Cincinnati, and that the
company was the strongest organization
on earth. By its agency Cleveland was
elected President, and during the election
over 5000 members OF the force were at
work for him. Many other fabu-
lOus stories were told OF the company's
power. Then Nelson drew vivid pic
lures Of detective life, how criminals
were tracked over the world and finally
trapped, and how exciting was the chase.
Berry was charmed. Here was "Old
Sleuth' right at his door, and before long
Nelson had Berry completely dazed. He
wrote to the A. & K. S. S. Co. for particu-
lars, and received the information that If
he would send So as fee for the commits
sion they would send him his commission
and badge.
The So was sent, and in due course of
time the company was heard from. A
commission, filling up good sized sheet
of heavy paper and ornamented with
seal of gold, told that f. p. Berry was a
member of the force and would be recog-
nized as such the world over, etc. The
absence of any location or name except
Berry's on this document was painfully
conspicuous. Accompanying the COM
mission was a small badge with the
words, detective Association" en-
graved thereon, and a slip of paper
ON which was printed rewards for
noted absconding bank cashiers and de-
faultlng bookkeepers, murderers, ETC.,
and for whom fabulous rewards were Of
fered. In letter printed in blue ink so
as to resemble writing was some conf
Dental talk, and request that "quo-
oum' of six men in the neighborhood be
organized, each man paying fee of So.
If Berry would get up the quorum he
would be made chief at a salary Of 81, 500
year. and an office would be established
at Haddock's.
Berry and Nelson went to work to or
game a quorum. They selected a house
for the office and otherwise prepared for
the establishment of detective agency.
They selected W. T.. Berry, III. Fl. Patter-
son and j. w. Hardin, all young farmers,
and K. l.. Ellison who lives in Macon.
Nelson conducted the correspondence.
Last week Patterson and Hardin gave
him their fees. Later on w. 4. Berry
gave him S. to send on. 1t was handed to
him in silver and he had it converted into
bill at Middlebrook's store. Then he
took witness and dropped the letter into
the post office. This was on Monday
evening.
On Tuesday morning, before Berry got
up, Nelson left the farm. He told his
wife he was coming to Macon to have
some printing done, but she must tell
Berry that he had gone to Scottsboro on i'm
portant business.
Nothing was heard of Nelson, and Berry
grew suspicious. Friday morning letter
arrived at Haddock's addressed to g. w.
Nelson. 1t was from Cincinnati, and &C
cording to an agreement by which Berry
could open letters from the agency adj
dressed TO Nelson, he opened the letter
and found nuoI0apd tho latter sent off on
Monday evening. 1t had been opened, and
across the face Of the envelope was writ
ten, "Opened in the presence Of two wit
nesses. Please return" On letter
heading OF the A. & E. s. s. company was
written the information that the letter did
not contain the So, as stated. This was
signed by sd. II. Kimball, manager"
Nelson has not been heard of since.