Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-01

Layton, the Advertising Swindler, Ian
gufshiDg in His Cell.

One Of the most accomplished adopts at
the art OF swindling is confined in cell
No. s6, in the upper corridor Of the Jail,
awaiting trial under indictment as COM
mon cheat and swindler. His name is A.
g. Layton. The readers Of the NEWS
have heard of the individual before
through his crooked business transac-
tions, which were shown up several
weeks ago. He is a stout, broad-shoUl-
dered man, and, as he stood at his cell
door yesterday dressed in a good-fitting
business suit, appeared about 5 feet 8
inches in height and apparently about At
years OF age. He usually wears high
Oval-crown Derby hat, which cOnceals
forehead Of medium height, thick but not
very closely-cut black hair, and a full
beard and moustache to match. His
complexion is fair, and a pair of deep
sunken gray eyes, with the most innocent
expression about them, closely scanned
his visitor. He looks as though he might
be retired contractor accustomed to do
heavy work when occasion required it,
but who had abandoned labor altogether
and was living upon an income. He
speaks with the accent of a Scotchman
modified by the dialect OF a native Mis-
sourian- At the same time he might be
Cld1EEu do al Lu9lSuIIdu LO
had sOWn his wild oats and had
gone to selling machines for threshing
them. He came TO Savannah several
months ago, and undertook to supply some
of the hotels with desks upon which were
TO be displayed a number of cards Ofbusi-
ness houses. He told a NEWS reporter a
few weeks ago that he melted over $1,000
last year in the business, but somehow
since he had come to Savannah he had not
done as we'll.
During the first month of his stay here
be was spending his money almost as fast
as it was made, If not faster, to which
some Of his creditors took exception,
chiefly because after taking their note,
he surreptitiously obtained goods on ac-
count of the paper which he had turned
over to third party. Several days ago,
having a claim upon a well-known
merchant on the Bay, the latter gave
Layton note, which he deposited In the
hands of a third party as security for
money he owed to this third party. A
day or two afterward he went to the mer-
chant, obtained goods amounting to
nearly the face value of the note on ac-
count. and then disposed Of them and
appropriated the proceeds. The third
party called on the merchant and remind
ed him that he would have the full value
of the note eventually to pay. The
merchant tuen saw for the 1rst time that
he had been duped. These and similar
transactions were called to LaytOn's at
tentiOn by his bOndsman, who surren-
dered him to the Sheriff of the City Court,
and he was committed to await trial an
der the indictment found against him by
the grand jury.
After being lodged in his cell Layton
said that his bOndsman would never have
surrendered him if he had not got into a
passion; that Mr.. Nicholson, who was his
bOndsmaD, had since regretted his nasty
action, and that 1t was probable he would
again stand security for him. "Why,
sir" continued the prisoner, 81 have 1898
now in NicholsOn's sate--that is to say,
1t is in good securities to that amount
which will be as good as cash az soon as
my desks are placed in the hotels"
Glow have you passed the night:'
asked the reporter.
VERY bad. I'm not in the habit of re-
firing as early as they do here, and
have no light nor any cigars. They
threw me in here so quick / hadn't a
chance to get any money. Can't you let
me have II cents? III make it all right
with you when get out of here"
The News man assured him he wasn't
a Jail broker.
My counsel" continued Layton, "are
working hard in my interest, and I'll be
out again in day or two and make things
hum"