The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-02-23
GRISIO OUTDONH.
The Elegant Way in Which a
CoIored Man Of Address
IMPOSED ON MEN OF HIS RACE
Here aud Over at Martins Ferry
Tho Exercise of His Dizzy Imag.
nation and Other Peoples
Credullty Enrlches Him,


A say coon" has been yictImlEing the
colored people OF Martins Ferry and
vicinity in great style the past two days,
He put in his appearance in Martins
Ferry last Friday and secured boarding
at the boarding house Of Moses Taylor,
(colored) in Newland's addition. He
told Taylor a story which would be
difficult for Rider Haggard to surpass,
He gave the name Of Joseph Hardgrave,
and his fairy tale is something like this;
He was an ex.member OF the Georgia
Legislature, which would be a credit to
West Virginia, served two terms and
was compelled to leave the State some
time ago for making red hot Republican
speeches, He resided near Atlanta on q
farm Of $50 acres, on which there is a
palatial three story brick house trimmed
with marble, bay windows, heated by
the cold air process, and so on. His farm
Is one OF the best In the State, and his
horses, cows and other live stock are
the best money will buy, and he EN-.
ploys many hands,
He not only owns this farm, but has
$4,000 Ia cold cash In the First National
Bank, nearly that much in government
bonds and q laige amount Of real estate
in Atlanta. He also owns q steamboat
called the Enterprise, which Is on her
way to Martins Ferry. On this Is his
pretty wife, who has inherited q large
sum Of money, his three bright children,
furniture which he bought while in
France, paying $4,000 for 1t, his servants,
fast horses, Jersey COWS, etc,
When last heard from the Enterprise
was near Cincinnati and making good
time.
He owns property in steubenYille and
formerly intended locating there, but rs
the future outlook for Martins Ferry Is
much brighter he decided to locate In
the latter city. He was n little short
when he reached Martins Ferry, but
was daily expecting a check for $4,000,
which finally came and this no showed
to Taylor, whose eyesight Is poor. He
also received letters and kilograms from
Atlanta, which were also shown.
He expected TO purchase all the real
estate in Martins Ferry he could, and
called on Ut. Hanes, q real estate man,
a number OF times. He decided to buy
the George Robinson property in New.
lands addition, which lie would improve,
and reside upon It. He caused the
owner to take a trip from st. C~lairsville
TO Martins Ferry. On the rear OF this
property lie would start y distillery-
something Martins Ferry does not pos
sess,
Taylor was delighted to entertain such
a distinguished guest, and nothing was
too good for him. Hardgrave became q
general ~favorite. On Monday he told
Taylor he could get him a pension with
out much trouble, being a prominent
man, and would pay S. on the $7.35
necessary il Taylor would pay the bal
anoe, which he did without hesitation.
On Thursday he decided to have a large
photograph taken for his aged motheri In
the South. He was short OF jewclry,
and John Scales, one Of the boarders,
loaned him his new gold watch and
chain, During the absence Of Mrs. Tay-
lor and the boarders on that afternoon
Hardgraye unlocked Scales trunk, TAX
ing his Prince Albert, vest, pants, shirt.
ali his money, and an overCoat belong
ing 10 George Wilson, another boarder.
After attiring himself in this clothing,
nearly all new. and stealing ROnA vnlii.