Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-08-17

weather, westerly WINS anu neatly STATIONARY
temperature.
A SwINDLER.-The Fredericksburg Free
Lance publishes an account of successful
.wiudle perpetrated on Father Donahoe, of
&. Mary's Catholic church, in that place, q
few days ago. The swindler gave his name
as w. II. Swallow, editor of the ''Southern
Monthly Biuouac," published at Louisville,
Nv, aud had letters in his possession pur-
porting to have been written by Generals
JAS l.. Kemper, Jos. E. Johnston and Long.
street and from Archbishop McCloskey," o:
Louisville. The Free Lance says:
His favorite theme was the War, and be-
ing both intelligent and familiar with his
subject, interested bis auditors and excited
their admiration. Presenting the letter Of
hoe and avowing himself a faithful Catholic,
tho Father invited him to dine with him at
the parsonage, after which he introduced
him to several acquaintance. Passing the
National Bank, in company with Father
pouahoe, Swallow remembered he had with
him draft drawn in his favor by Hamilton,
CLAY & Co., bankers of Louisville, on Brown
Bros, of New York, for $50, and as he was
n stranger here he would he obliged to
Father Donahoe if he would step in and
identify him. Approaching the cashiers
desk and assuming the airs of an honorable
HAL he asked Mr.. Taylor, the cashier of
National Bank, to give him the money for
the draft. Mr., Taylor declined to cash the
draft without responsible city ehdorser.
Tuning to Father Donahoe, he asked in a
codlident manner that he endorse the draft,
which request was cheerfully granted by the
uususpecling priest. Afterwards he was
escorted to his hotel where he and his vic
IL 10 a lar ,,,{o ,1o,1
visiting the heights OF Stafford after dinner.
As soon as Father Donahoe left, Swallow
proceeded to the river, where he had the
good luck to find gentleman ready to set
him across in small boat, and that was the
last seen of him in these parts. We learn
that man answering Swallows description
boarded the Washington train Friday night
at Free Stone and left the same ut Fran
coma. Father Donahoe received a letter
Sunday, postmarked Washington and signed
by Col. Swallow, saying he had heard some
unpleasant rumors were circulated in Fred
ercksburg, rejecting upon his character,
caused by his sudden departure; that there
was nothing crooked about him; that he
was an honorable man and that the draft
would be paid upon presentation. La spite
of Swallows protestations of innocence, the
chief of police, at Washington. was tele.
graphed to, and requested to arrest Swal-
low, rs he was wanted here to answer the
charge of forgery"
This, without doubt, is the Identical man
who unsuccessfully attempted to swindle
Rev Father O'ksne, of this city, on Thurs
day last On that day we'll dressed man,
who Introduced himself ~ Mr.. Magrath, of
South Carolina, and said he was the brother
of prominent official of that State, called
upon Father O'Kane, and professed to be
bearer of q legacy from one Thomas Mona
CHAN, once, he said. a member of St. Mays
congregation, of $500. Father O'kane, who
could not remember, and had never heard
of Monaghan, on estioned his visitor closely.
He replied that Monaghan had died in
South Carolina five years ago, and that he
had written to Bishop keane on the subject
but had received no reply. Though still
very suspicious, Father O'kane agreed to
sign receipt for $500, drawn up by the
sol disant, Magrath, and went to his room
to sign it, On his return, he was handed =
bill of exchange, dated Charleston, S. c.,
August 1, 1856, drawn by q. A. Trenholm
4 Co., made payable to G. w. Maerath, for
800, at the Bank of Commerce, New York.
The visitor then, after asking for glass of
water, departed. On examining the bill, il
was found TO have across its face fire hun
dred dollars in red ink, though but three
was in the body, and that written apparent
~ at different time from the word dollars
Ga Friday morning Father O'kane took the
draft to the Citizens National Bank, of this
city, and asked that it be forwarded to New
York for collection, with instructions to the
bank there to telegraph on Saturday -"pay-
ment' or non.payment." On Saturday,
about noon, dispatch was received here
stating that the bank in New York knew
nothing about the draft, so it WAS returned
dishonored. The swindler had, no doubt.
intended to ask for 5000 change, but finding
Father O'Kane SO suspicious, and fearing
arrest, filled it up to accord with the re-
ceipt whilst he was out Of the room. Peo-
pie should DO on their guard, as he will
doubtless try his game elsewhere.
MaGrath, or Swallow, is small man,
about five feet eight inches high, with in
teligent look, forehead broad and high.
His hair is dark, with considerable gray; he
wore, when here, q heavy gray goatee or
chin whiskers and moustache.
POLICE REPoRT-Last night was Gear
until about o'clock when it became cloudy
aud rain fell about o'clock. There were
seven prisoners at the station house. Act
ing Mayor Downham this morning disposed
Of the following cases:
Thornton Jones, colored, arrested by Off
GERS Bontz and Bettice, for being drunk and
disordsrly, was fined -.
Celia Chapman, colored, charged with
loaiing about the corner of Fairfax and
Princess streets, was dismissed.
Marge Pendleton aud Georgiana Williams,
both colored, arrested by officers Sherwood
and BoDtz Tor disorderly conduct, were
lined 81 each.
VIM jackson oolored arrasted bv officers