Smyrna times., 1889-03-13
The Piano and Hay Fork Swindlers.

The men who successfully sWindled
h. w. Hepborn of Kent county, Md.
out of $400 by what is called the piano
racket, Ia compromise on what he
thought was a simple statement that
he had allowed a piano left at his
house of the value $500. for others to
see to aid in their sales but which
proved to be a promiseory note) left
there and came to Clayton two or
three weeks ago to try their hands on
the farmers of the vicinity. They
went to Robert RaWley's residence and
tried to get him to let them leave a
piano as they had done at Mr.. Hep
oron's but he WAS proof against then
clever devices. and they failed in their
ODlect. They may have gone to Others.
with Samuel a. Armstrong two
miles north of this town they were
more successful, trying on the hay fork
swlndle. Mr.. Armstrong is in feeble
health, and they took advantage of
this circumstance. His was conve.
nlent place for it to be shown and
they wanted to attach one to the end
ot his barn, and further they would
give his son 81 80 for every one thai
was sold Before leaving, however
they asked as a memorandum of tn,
transaction that he would write them
on card stating eight forks were to
be left, his name and address. Friend.
OF Mr.. Armstrong learning what had
Oeen done prompted him to recover it.
ana late at night he with them an
peared before Esquire Budd. They
with Constable 3. Y. Weldon went fo
Clayton on search for the partie,
TWO OF the swindling party of three
were found, but search failed to re-
veal the desired paper. The one sun
posed to have it bad gotten away. liz
nad intended taking the north bound
Norfolk express, but very fortunatek
Tor Mr.. Armstrong it did not stop. and
The swindler could not have gotten far
Mr.. Weldon took the first train in tn.
morning and when it pulled up at Green
spring who should be the first to step
ABOARD but Perry, the very man want
Ell, who had walked there from CLAY
ton IN the night. When the train
moved away from the depot officer
weldon made his presence known
stated MS business and placed hand
cuiis on the man. He offered no re-.
slstance. Upon reaching Townsend
the officer alighted with his prisoner
anu m procuring conveyance drove to
biack olrd, where Perry was given
nearing before Squire Deakyne.
Ihe testimony of the witnesses, who
mad been telegraphed for, showed
Ferry under, and he admitted the
swlndle. On behalf of Mr.. Armstrong
from his enfeebled condition, com.
promise was offered if he would sur
render the note. He very readily
agreed to the proposition and wrote an
OrQer Tor the note TO one of his con
'euerates at Clayton who kept it in his
possession. A messenger was dis
patched thither, and the note wa.
given up. Perry was thereupon re.
leased and Immediately shook Della
ware soil from his feet.
While the events above recordod
were transpiring, Jones" and "Guiseu
tne OIher members of the firm were
unuer Gd surveillance at Hotel Stoeckel.
CSiayton, = by an officer with a warrant
ior tne'r arrest. They kept severely
secluded within their room. and moi
uhtl the surrender of the note did
CneY appear outside. They took the
nignt B Tram north, presumably to Join
l erry IN seeking newer pastures for
'heir nay fork and piano business.
a. was supposed, the bit of card to
winch Mr.. Armstrong attached his sip
nature was convertible into neoo. |
liable note and the amount of it after |
!ae sae, swindlers had fixed it up was |
Sz96.6O, ;,,, the value of the eight forks.
Inc only safe way for the farmers
with all these unknown persons is to |
absolutely do nothing let them 90 as |
'hey come. They offer nothing thai |
cannot easily be obtained from safe |
and reliable sources.