Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-03
ALMOST CArGurIS TRAP.
On which Two Choeks
Played n Part-"farnie Brad'
Iey'.- Srheale.

height, some fifty years old, With hair
apparently dyed, aud . moustAche IN .
similar condition, whose face was wrin-
kled and whose manner oldfsshionsd,
stepped into the Office Of Terrence Far
lev & Son, real estate dealers and build
ers, in Ninth avenue between Seventy
second street and Seyenty-third street,
New York city, on Friday and found
Terrence Farley in. Farley x Son have
been putting up alarge number OF houses
in their neighborhood and some OF those
in Seventeen street remained unsold.
The caller said that his name was
Daniel Bradley, that he was . man Of
wealth living at New uayen, and had
been looking at one Of the houses in
Seventeen street with view to buying
it. He was accompanied by the watch
man in charge Of the house, who had
shown the stranger through II. Brad
ley appeared to be man Of means, aud
impressed Mr.. Farley favorably. He
said he was not at present in business,
but be was silent partner IN several
firms. lie obtained the bottom
price" Of the house from Mr.. Farley
and went away.
The next day Farley & Son received
a telegram from Bradley, saying; 81
have written you.". A letter subse-
quently arrived stating that Bradley
would take the house at the price men,
toned, which was 100000, and asking
Mr.. Farley to meet him at the Office Of
Martin & Smith, LAWYERS, at No. so
Wall street, New York, at , p. NJ. on
Monday. John T. Farley, the son OF
Terence Farley, and the other member
Of the firm, in whose name the title
stood. was on hand in Wall street
at the appointed time. Bradley
was late; he made some passing excuse
for this and went over the details Of
the papers with John Duer, q member
Of the firm Of Martin 4 Smith. How
Bradley was enabled to appear under
such favorable auspices is one OF the
features Of an extremely clever scheme.
By some means Bradley was familiar
with the personal appearance Of the
former president Of the Central National
Bank, Mr.. Wheeler, who is now . d.
rector of the institution. On Friday
Mr. Wheeler was at the bank when
Bradley presented himself and ex-
pressed pleasure at meeting Mr.. Wheel
err. The director was unable to return
the compliment; be did not recall Mr..
Bradley. Yet the caller stated that
he had been q depositor formerly
at the bank, that he was thinking of
buying some property, and that as DO
was not we'll acquainted with the law
yers Of the metropolis he had called to
ask Mr.. Wheeler to suggest some good
lawyer. Mr.. Wheeler, not suspecting
what was going on, frankly stated that
he knew Of no particular lawyer to
recommend, yet that Martin K Smith
were the attorneys OF the bank, and
they might possibly be Of service.
Bradley expressed his thanks, and
went to Martin K Smith. There he
met Isaac p. Martin. the senior mem
Der Of the firm, and comfortably in.
formed him that Mr. Wheeler ssnt him
to the lawyers. Then be explained hi:
business and was handed over to Mr.
Duer, who proceeded TO draw up th'
papers for the sale. The mans manner
though be was rough in appearances,
simply carried out his representation
that he had been 0 farmer, but wa
wealthy enough to give up that kind o.
life. Bradley agreed to pay owns3, 00t
on the sale despite the fact that Mr
Duer suggested that this was q rathe
large amount.
Mr.. Duer made out the papers tha
evening and sent them to Dir. Farley
office. On Tuesday morning Bradle.
appeared at the Office and the paper
were signed, but when it came to tn
payment Of the $4,000 Bradley pro
duced his check of $4,000 on the Ne'
Haven Bank, saying that he had LEI
New Haven after banking hours tb
day before and had hastily drawn hi
check for $4,000 because he did no
know but that there would be som
extra charges to cover. lie the
suggested that Mr.. Farley shoul
give the difference in cash. Nr. Earle,
did not happen to have it. Mr.. Farley
check for the difference was loDged 70
by Mr. Bradley. Mr.. Farley though
Of the respectable company in which b
had met Bradley, and concluded to CIV
/; his check for 1900 on the Elevent
Ward Bank. Still, thinking that tn
! was q rather large check TO give to
! stranger, be omitted certain privs'
marks which he was wont to put on b
checks, yet made the draft payable
Bradley. The Endorsement was ais
guaranteed.
! Bradley had hardly departed whe
Mr.. Farley telegrsphed the New Have
Bank. Answer came back that no sue
! person as Bradley had any deposit Their
! About the same time word was tell
phoned from the Eleventh Ward Ban
|. that the check had not been paid b
4 cause the private marks were wsntinl
I, Bradley had presented the check. NJ
I. getting it csshed, he went to Martin
!. Smith and said be was in o hurry to {
a to New Haven and would like TO ha'
I; Mr. Duer give him the cash.
/: Mr.. Duer saw that the indorssmsl
4 was guaranteed, bat he had not Il
q cash in hand. lie consulted with 9th
members o. the firm, when Bradl'
suddenly entered the room and So
8 that no would not trouble them, to'
: his check and departed. Mr.. Farl'
J. said yesterday that he had heard o
!. thing more of Bradley; hs is oongrat
lsting himself on his narrow escape.