New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-18
SWINDLED OUT OF $4,000.
A CoNFIDING Ex.ALDERMAN OF LOWELL
DECEIVED BY AN ALLEGED MINER FROM MON
TANA AND TWO BARS OF BRASS

ONE ARREST
'fHY TELEGRAPH THE TRrBUNEt
Boston, Nov lex Alderman Pennlman' tne Vo'-
eran expressman Of Lowell recently sw1noico out
OF about 50 900 by a confidence game. ABOUT 'hro'
weeks ago a well-dressed ana rcspcctaoie-ioohns "
called upon Mr.. Pcnnman.
"Arc you Mr.. Pennimap." he inquired
"Thats my name,n replied the gentleman.
"Pm afraid you're not the man I'm looking for"
said the stranger he intenty scanned the features
OF the Alderman "And yet It IS singular he added
as he rubbed his chin in a puzzled manner His
name was George T. Pennlman. I'm quito sure of
that
"whose namef. inquired Mr.. Penniman
"Oh an old friend of mine who did me good turn
out in Montana turn I've never forgotten, and ono
I've come all the way East to repay had an idea
that he lived in Lawrence and went there but failcd
to find him Somebody told me there was man NJ
that name living in Lowell and so came up to-day
to him and now I'm disappointed. for don't THINK
I ever saw you before. You've never been In Mon
tana, supposel'
Mr.. Penniman said he'd never been so far West,
and then for time the matter of the lost friend
dropped Tho conversation turned upon the election
and Montana's chance for admission Into the UNION
This led tho stranger dae upon the resources OF
the Territory Gradually he unfolded a tale
of a gold mine of fabulous riches which
he had discovered while prospecting. He
had found wounded Indian, cured him
and the grateful aborlgine had revealed the wonder
full mine. Then In company with the Indian he had
come East to look up old friends. He brought a
nugget from tho mine. and the Indian. who was IN
Lawrence had two bars of quartz rich In ore.
The stranger showed Mr.. Pcnniman the nugget and
told him TO accompany him to assayer Mr.. Penni-
man took the nugget to the Talbot Chemical Company
office and had 1t tested by Mr. Stacy. the chemist He
also visited Alvin Lawrence, the veteran 1cweller ana
Mr.. Lawrence said that the specimen shown him was
pnre gold. Then the next step In the swndle FOL
lowed. The returned miner wanted some ready cash.
He had gold In the bar. some $4,000 worth, or
rather the Indian had The stranger proposed that
Mr.. Pcnnlman should advance him 50 600 for a few
days. The security offered the gold in the
Indians possession. Mr. Penniman should receive in
return for his money certificates of stock in a mine
which the stranger had IN Montana worth four
times the amount advanced But TIA: everything
should DO right Mr.. Penninan wa induced to go TO
Lawrence where he the gold, two bars. The
consent of the Indian having been obfained Mr.
Penuiman admitted into partnership IN the
mine and nothing remained but 10 transfer the
80 600 which accommodate the generous stranger
for a few days. At the strangers suggestion Mir.
Pcnniman chlpped piece OF metal from one OF inc
bars and they set out to find an assaycr Ihey met
a man I'm the reefs who told them Government
assayer was at cerian hotel They FOUND the man,
who for a $40 note made an assay OF the chp, ana
pronounced It the richest he ever assayed Ihis
settled IL, and Mr.. Penniman went home, drew the
SO 600 from the bank and gave IL TO he alleged
miner, who specdily disappeared Mr. Penhlman
locked UP his bars of gold, but took them out rev
DAYS later on receiving letter from his qnondam
friend telling him they wero brass. The fellow who
acted az Govei nment assayer7 has been ca, tuleu
and is in prison In Lowell.