Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-01
Fleccad by Sharpers.

Samuel Reese, an old farmer who lives at
Fuller's Hollow, in the town Of Western, y
Y, was swinded out Of 81 800 by confidence
men few days ago. Since May II two
strangers have been in town who were
watched by the police because of their
peculiar actions. One of them was about
sixty.fve years of age and the other about
twenty-five. On the occasion of their first
visit the younger man registered at STAN
wix Hall as M Abraham, Brooklyn, n. y"
while the other did not register at all.
Every time they came they hired horses Of
NJ Thalman and drove out into the country.
Suspicion was aroused but they acted like
gentlemen and had plenty Of money. The
elder man arrived alone on Saturday, and
he obtained horse and drove away. About
2 D. m. he returned to the liverymau and
asked for fresh horse, as he wanted 10
drive to Lee on important business. The
horse was rugged for him, and he drove hur
redly up Eaton alley to Washington stlcet,
where Samuel Reese, of Western, who seemed
to be waiting for him, got into the buggy.
About 3 so the man who had hired
the horse returned, saying the horse
had tried to run away with him.
IL
its speed. In company with him. when he re-
turned was the so called Abraham. Both
men went East on the Sal p. m. train
When Chief Byrnes heard Of the action Of
the two strangers and that Samuel Reese
had been with them. he concluded that the
old man had been duped. Inquiry demon.
strated that lie was right. The weeping
farmer said that he had lost 81 800. The
story that he told was that on May - Il
man called at his house in Western ard ask
ed him il he had Il place for pastufing stock.
The man said that his name was Utely and
that he was a relative Of the Utely family,
we'll known in the neighborhood. He WAS
so aflable that he crept into the confidence
of the old man, who invited him to call
again tho next time tha; he came to Rome.
On May 20 the man called, but Mr.. Reese
was not at home On Saturday he called
again and took walk on The farm with
Mr.. Reese. When they came 10 an old mill
on the farm Utely talked Of buying the prop
erty and converting it into canning fac
tory. While thus engaged in conversation
the young man Abraham appeared and ask
ed Utely if he knew man named Moshier,
who had Durham bulls for sale. The two
men, of course, appeared as strangers. On
receiving negative answer Abraham
said that he had come to buy cattle
and had money to pay for them, at the
same time pulling out large roll Of
greenbacks. When he did this he drew
from his pocket four blank cards and one
queen. He then offered to bet with Utely
that he could throw the cards so 10 one
could pick out the queen card. A bet OF
81 800 by Utely was, Of course, won ny the
latter The corner OF the card was then
turned up. The Abraham wanted TO bet
$3 900 with Reese, but Reese did not have
the money. Utely then proposed that he
and Reese pool for So 900 against Abraham.
This was agreed to, and Ute!y and Reese
started for Rome to get the latter's 81, 800.
1t was at this juncture that the fresh horse
was needed. Reese went to tho Fort Stan
wix Bank and took out the money.
They then returned to Western, where
they found the man Abraham, who
wanted to bet with them. standing by the
roadside He got into The buggy, rode 3
short distance with them, and got out and
talked with Utely. The latter then snntched
the package containing the money and put
it on his knee. Abraham seized it and
transferred it to his pocket. Utely demand.
ed it back and Reese protested. Abraham
then drew revolver, pointed it at Reese
and made him get out of the wagon. Get.
ting in himself, the pair of scoundrels drove
rapidly on to Rome, and left the defrauded
and broken. hearted old man standing alone.