The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-21

A PRINCE OF FRAUDS.
How Pin White Swindled Oid-Time New
Yorkers-A Most Plausible Talker.
New York Mail aud Express.
''Plin" White the prince Of swindlers, is now
in Jail in Boston for obtaining 81. 900 from Hebert
H. Deliver, of this city Hast December, under
old. He has committed over hundred
swindies which will probably aggregate over a
million dollars. He rarely ever condescended to
obtain petty sums, but secured from $l0,e0O to
$50, 900 at haul. He travelled in Europe and
made a record there But in the United States
alone complete record of his swindles would fill
volumes. His judgment of human nature, his
diplomatic tact to impress upon others In
sincere light his schemes and plans, always
made them ready victims. His first appearance
in this city, in 1850. was like that of brilliant
count of Monte Christie glibly did his tongue
pirate of thousands He soon obtained what his
tongue talked about after engaging in manu-
featuring Venetian blinds, and dealing in dry
goods and real estate. In five years time ne
was considered rich, and lived like prince in
mansion on Fifth avenue. He ceased to dabbie
in real estate and cut loose from the several oc-
equations from which he had ostensibly accumu-
lated wealth. His first appearance as gigantic
swindler occurred in 1853 He obtained $50, 900
from Maj. VIM. l.. Hail. who is now residing
in East Tenth street Mr.. Hall was at that
period one of the proprietors of Lovejoys Hotel,
then situated on the corner of Park row and
Beekman street. The Major was man of wealth,
well known, and looked upon as shrewd and
careful person in financial matters. White one
day called upon him, and, in an agreeable man
ner, entertained the Major by relating anecdotes
and racy episodes. He called several times, and
the Major became impressed with his sincerity
| and integrity. White pretended to be engaged
in buying nuggets of gold, and large quantities
of precious metal, from the miners in the Cali
fornia diggings. The California gold fever was
at its height. He said he only required the small
capital of $50, 900 to make millions; He worked
re as That hs desired To-
use the money only as collateral to
obtain loans. Hall gave him checks amounting
| to $50, 000 which White pledged himself not to
cash, but simply TO use as collateral. No sooner
had he obtained the checks than he bad them
eashed. Hall consulted eminent counsel and
| found that White had rendered himself liable to
criminal action. He caused Halls arrest on
civil process and he spent several years in Jail
| The late ex-Judge Whitney succeeded in getting
White out, and he left the city for several years
He returned however, and became a big edition
| Of Hungry Joe. He swinded people right and
left, out of sums rarely ever under 800 But
his knowledge of law always saved him from
criminal proceedings
His next big swnde was in 1857 James
Bonsel, of No 526 East 10th street. was the
victim. and lost just $50, 900. He was acting as
deputy sheriff for Sheriff Willett when White
met him. The latter represented that the heav-
! lest diamond merchants in Switzerland were
| very hard up for money and had written to their
| agent in New York to dispose of their stock.
| This agent was particular friend of White and
| had secretly impaired this knowledge to him
| These diamonds could be bought at one-fifth of
their value and by manipulating things correct
| ly corner could be made in the demand market,
thereby yielding profit of millions. Bensel
| entered into the scheme. White had plenty Of
diamonds in his pockets and would shake them
around loose before Bensel. Transactions of
over $500, 900 were entered into by the silent
firm of Bensel & White. White spent money
| lavishiy, and Benzel said it seemed to him that
White owned the earth, he lived in such magnif-
cent style. In day he let White have $780,
000 Then in few days the latter borrowed
again and owed the deputy sheriff just $50, OOO
Benzel said that if he had had 800, 900 White
could have obtained it just as easily. A man
stepped in Benzels Office and said 'White has
swindled Stevens Brothers out Of $4,000 and
Paris G. Clarke out of $1,000" The deputy
sheriff nearly sank through the floor at the news.
White was arrested and placed in Ludlow street
Jail. He was relieved some time afterwards On
a straw bond and went to Europe where he
feeched the nobility and swindled everybody he
came in contact with. He came back after sew
eral years and went to his home in Vermont
lie bought real estate on all sides, paying for it
until he came to New York and
cleared just $40, 900 by disposing of his real es
tate in Vermont He then went to Louisiana
was made State printer. He made big thing
out of it. He sold the State by sections some
what like patent medicine men sell their rights
For instance, in Northwest Louisiana he sold the
right TO farm out the State printing IN that sec
ton in each parish county to man who resided
in Shreveport His royalties in the various
sections made him many thousands.
He next established a chicken farm on the
Texan. coast, and lost 1000 fowls by food
sweeping them away. He narrowly escaped
drowning with the chickens. This is the only
| time that his luck deserted him. He expected
| to raise couple of hundred thousand dollars
| the chicken farm. He then went to Kansas
City, and opened large dry goods store. He
| obtained goods to the amount of 900 from
| Eastern iobbers He shipped the stock III small
| lots to various cities where he sold them at
auction.
| In 1879 he turned up in New York again, and
| was shortly afterward arrested and carried to
Boston, charged with some fraudulent transae-
/ lions. He escaped conviction and came back.
4 In June, 1881, he called upon Major Hall, whom
he had swindled out Of $50, 600 nearly thirty
| years before. He told Hall he had made big
1 fortune in California, and had returned for the
| purpose of paying him. with interest the
| amount he obtained years ago. He said he
4 owned great deal of real estate, and was
| cramped for money. Hall loaned him 81 200
White gave him securities valued at Sc 100 in a
blue envelope. Mrs. Hall took 81 900 of her
4 money from the savings bank to make the loan.
| Eall signed the following agreement:
| 'No 4 EAST TENTH STREET
1 NEW YORK, June IL, 1881.
81, William L. Hall, hereby agree to deliver
/ intact one sealed blue envelope. inclosing two
4 sealed envelopes and contents. to either Luther
4 R Kendall, l.. b. Beck or p White, upon pay
lnent of $l2, 900 ON or before the LIST day of
/ August, 1881. The said blue envelope is ad-
| dressed to the Hon. Luther II. Kendall, New
! York. care Of William L. Hall; the two sealed
4 envelopes which it encloses are addressed re-
| spectively to Hon. Luther Kendall, New York,
1 af
WILLIAM L. HALL"
/ Mrs. Hall 5ecame suspicious and one day
broke open the blue envelope to look at Whites
securities. They were valueless White had
| made an appointment to call to borrow more
| money. When he arrived Inspector Byrnes
and two detectives arrested him. He chatted
| gaily and seemed to BIO at ease. He was
convicted and spent several wears in State prison.