The sun., 1890-01-23
ADARING YOUNG SWINDLER.
HUGH L, CLARK LIVES GAYLY ON mrs
NERVE AND BAD CHECKS

Takes His PIek rrSm n Harlem Jewellers
stock on Saturday, Pays with WORTH
less Checks, Comes in on Mondny for
Something Else He Thought He'd Like.
Last Monday morning William Koontz, a
jeweller at 2,o92 Third avenue, complained to
Capt. Westorvelt that an elegantly dressed
| young man had swinded him by means OF
| worthless checks on the previous Saturday.
Tho young man." said Mr.. Koontz, wore
several diamond rings was dressed In the
latest fashion. with cape overcoat and high
| silk hat, and represented himself as builder.
| He said he had five houses In course OF con-
| struotion, but was short OF ready money,
and asked mo II would take check.
He gave the nRme OF Hugh L. Clark which l
thought recognized rs that Of q Harlem
builder. and l did not hesitate to take the
check. He selected gold hunting case watch.
solitaire diamond ring, gold chain, dia-
mond locket, q fob chain. and a snake ring to
the value Of 1920. At his suggestion he made
out two checks on the Clinton Bank-one for
500 and another for 1920"
On Monday morning. shortly after the store
was opened, the young man again entered
Mr.. Koontz's store. and saying that he
had overlooked one purchase on Saturday.
selected another gold watch worth $50. and
paid for It with another check on the same
bank. After the young man had departed Mr.
Koontz because suspicious. and teleRrsphed to
the bank authorities. He received word that
no such man as Hugh L. Clark had ever kept
Detectives Price and Mott recognized the
description Of the swindler given BY Mr..
fessd on as aa p man hsy had
from Frederick Peppers Of 1886 Madison ave-
nue. ,Clark's family had arranged the matter
with Peppers, and he had been released.
On Monday night the detectives found Clark
dlnIng three Young women ut q concert saloon
his companions and, turning to the detectives,
Batd. ourtly:
ISp have qt me s-s nicely Accept
had made all preparations for leaving the city
on a late train Tonight"
he bad a check book. with stubs dating back
to M0 Il i,o 1889 yHES hanging in
anything about himself '
Further search brought, to light. all Of the
jewelry he had purchased from Mr.; Koontz,
except one OF the gold watches, which was
e letter addressed To whom it may concern"
on the instalment plan to call upon II: J.
CLARK l5G Eest Hipety.seyeanth street d first fat
It Is coniectured that Clark has been Ii; swim
ding installment men by taking their jewelry
an snd dec &deeampiRg with it. CLARK parents live at
On the stubs in the check book found on
6mse PRp Hin appears iaTs lave
received check for $25, and on the same day
Other entries are: Dec. ~. cash. $500: Dec. %.
?. l.. Clantins, jewelry. $685. Jan. II, Lambert
Bros, $l9750; Jan. 1s. wages to men. $560.5O
Then follow the amounts OF the checks passed
upon Roontz
Clark was taken before Superintendent Muir
ray and Inspector Byrnes yesterday after
noon. The latter says Clark answers the de-
scriptton OF the man who has been swindling
with checks OF larger amounts than the bill
and receiving the difference In cash. Clark
will be again taken to Police Headquarters,
and will be confronted with O number Of
identification.
QlaEk's father will not interfere in his sons