Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-14
SLICK SWINDLNC.
Hon. A. Barclay shrewdly Played on a
Recognised Frailty Of Human
Nature.
A Letter to General Keifer Gives HIS
scheme eAway-Using the 4. 5. Maiisto
Defraud-A Carefully Drawn
Ietter-He Skips.

One OF the neatest swindling schemes
ever operated in this city has just been
brought to light by Chief Walker and the
officer. OF the police force. They have been
working on the case for nearly a week, but
although they have discovered all methods
by which the swindler operated, the
swinder himself has thus far eluded arrest.
A few DAYS ago General } Warren keifer
received letter from the firm of Richard
son & Taylor, attorneys ct law, in Peters
hurg, Ind. Following is a copy of the let
tar:
PETERSBURG, Ind, Dec. s, 1886.
Hon. J. Warren Keifer. Springfield, Ohio
| SIR-We have beeen handed letter by
one of our clients which has caused nm
great uneaSiness of mind since Its arrival
owing TO the fact that he thinks it Is some
near or dear friend who is spoken of there
in. We send YOU an exact copy of the let
TOR We think il a scheme being worked
Inv some sharper in order to get money from
the unsophisticated, and write you for in
formation in regard to the party who writes
the letter and whether or not he Is as ne
represents himself. We get your name Tor
the purposes of this letter from the Nuoer'
of which we see you are member. Please
answer at your earliest convenience anu
oblige Truly yours
RICHARDSON & TAYLOR.
The letter referred to in Richardson y
Taylors letter is as follows:
MIAMI LUMBER co.
A. BARCLAY, MANAGER
DRESSED LUMBER. ETC.
Cash paid for Logs OF All Kinds.
SPRINGFIELD, o.. Dec. :, 1856.
Mr.. Tislow;
DEAB SIR-A few days since maj
about "a years old, medium size, dark eye
and hair, well dressed, came TO us Tor WORK
I Our foreman put him to loading saw log
. on the carriage in the river at one OF Ou
!, mills. Unfortunately we neglected TO se
his name, for hardly had he worked al
hour before he lost his footing, fell III IN
river and was drowned. His body was re
4 covered and buried next day, nothing beln
found TO identify him except your name an
address.
Among his effects are: Over coat. almos
new. $40: suit Of clothes, worth SIS; sllve
:, watch and chain, $50; revolver, Smith
Wesson. double action, 3S-caliber, Sl4; va
lise. 81; hats, shirts, etc, and $3.50 i
+ money. The funeral expenses were S2t
which We paid, leaving us $50 out.
Now, IL you are a relative or friend OF TIL
unfortunate young man and Will send IN
{ $50 l will ship to your order all OF M
u things. .;.
taken up and sent to you at your expense
Trusting you may know something
L this man and that l will hear from yo
II soon, | am Very truly,
a A. BARCLAY.
V. General Keifer knew at once that II
man Barclay was operating big swindlln
-. scheme, as there is no such lumber hrih
=" OF near Springfield, and the incidents whlc
N the swindler relates in his letter, couiu III
Of occur here. He therefore placed the matte
to in the hands of Chief Walker. The Chi
soon discovered that such a person as 4
RarcIay was receiving mail here, and
n laid plans to capture him. Since he bega
q To work ON the case he has received sever
r letters from persons In other states to who
nj Barclay sent identcally the same letter III
he sent TO Mr.. Tislow. Already the chi
has letters from J. Q. Adams, superinten'
be ent of the Marseilles Manufacturing 20
Of Of Narseilles, Illinois; NJ. W. Peterson,
no Elliott. Illinois; John A. Rogers, OF haI
selI- Ala, and Mr.. DemOrest, Of Denver, %
= All of these gentlemen had received copl
J, of the letter reproduced above, and bell
n suspicious, had written for particulars I
as course Barclays scheme was to get u
SIS. 20, and it is altogether likely that l
was successful in many instances. CHI
It Walker now has in his possession sever
letters addressed TO Barclay which may co
n tain valuable information, but none
, them have been opened.
~ As soon as he became possessed OF the
H. facts he swore out warrant for Barclay
ir- arrest. This was done last Friday NOR
at ing. He had already discovered that Bs
clay was boarding at Mrs. Rings, No.
Fisher street, and taking Deputy Pot
rs with him, the chief went to the boardin
le- house to arrest Barclay. He was not the
he and Mrs. Ring did not know VIII
=, he would return. Mrs. Ring said that Ba
" CLAW was over six feet high and wore
Is heavy red moustache. He is piano-tunt
X and on Friday morning tuned plano |
cd Mr.. Engert The officers heard that
,er was at Engert's and went there after hi
Nm but he was gone. From Friday noon un
f Saturday noon Barclays room at MI
lie Rings was closely guarded by the poll(
is. and OH Friday night Chief Walker and Ol
nd Ger Nicklas remained in the room all mig
ready to take the swindler in as soon as