Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-03-19
AN EXCITEMENT.
THE ALLEGED ATTEMPTED FRAoO j"
STAFFORD COUNTY.
The Details Of the Affair-A curio''
Case In All Respects.
rsn.cIal telegram to tho plspstch.l

FRVDYRfCKspuRG, March 1s.-tphs'"' -
bic excitement has prevailed here p-uy
over the announced exposure OF an ~
tempted fraud in Stafford county ~ VIII VIII
a waalthv cornoration was involved 20 the
extent OF nearly $4,000 600, and winch
would be made public to-day by the arr ~
of some OF the parties. SO quiet has tuo
affair been kept that all knowledge as 10 ~
or who the uarfies were have been a pro,
found secret with those interested ana
not until now did the newspaper
men succeed in obtaining tne .n;
in this alleged gigantic swindle; Inc trni Ln
arriving here this evening At o'clock ir9u'
men: John A. Herring. u. Herring, ana
Hon. ]. l.. Thomas. of Baltimore; Jac9p
Robenbuck. of Frederick, Nd; y. H.
Goodrich, Of New York. and +. G. herilhi
of Washington, all Of whom are cohhec.ed
with the Adams Express Company anu
against whom this alleged charge OF Irau1
is brought. Arriving here they secureu
quarters at the Exchange Hotter, WheLe
conference was held with Judge Gooirick'
Of this city, and Commonwealth f s-At. III
nev w. s. White. of Stafford. After the
conference this was obtained by the news
paper-men. The alleged fraud 10 sald 10
have originated "a follows: On the 25th
day Of February "A man neatly attiIeu
giving his name az DIR. Harrison wagner
made his appearance before Clerk bryan
ut Stafford Courthouse and sald ne uo
sired 10 bring suit i'll that county against
the Adams Express Company Tor Sl,Soii-
s7s.s2. This completely startled Clerk
BRYAN. az the writ tax alone would DC
nearly 1880, which the clerk Informed
WAGNER. The announcement somewhat
took him back and the clerk IN
formed him that if he would endorse
on the back that he only expected
10 receive less amount the tax would be
accordingly. This suited him so that ne
endorsed on the suit that he only expected
to receive 81 900, and paid all the costs tor
same, and fled the following declaration;
Harrison Wagner rs. Adams Express Com
pany--In the Circuit Court OF Virginia.
Harrison Wagner, plaintiff, complains OF
the Adams Express Company, who has
been dulv summoned to answera plea that
said defendant rendered to said plaintiff
the sum of 81 .564. S75.S2. with inter-
est thereon from the 1st day of
April. 1886. which the said Adams Ex-
press Company owe to and are justly
OBTAINING from the said plaintiff, and
thereupon the said plaintiff saith hereto
foreNto wit: April /. 1886. the Adams tx
press Company is lawfully indebted TO
Harrison Wagner in the sum of 81, 564 1882
for value received and which is now due
him. with interest nj per cent. per annun
for his claim against said company. Signed
by W. Is. DinsmOre, rs president OF the
Adams Express Company, The above
note was mailed to Plaintiff Har-
rison Wagner on April %, 1856;
in settlement for his claim against sad
company and that no part of said indebt-
edness has been paid. but the whole IS due
and owing TO SAID plaintiff with interest at
& per cent, q SD. S75.S2, from the lst day
Of April. 1896. therefore the plaintiff de-
mands Judgment for the sum of $780,
4iG.02. with interest on said principal from
the lst day of April, 1890, until pad and
for costs Of action TO be taxed by the clerk.
ISipnedl HARRISON WAGNER.
After Clerk Bryan filed the papers DIR.
Wagner had issued process on Mr. Gar
rss. at Brooke, that county, who is the
companv's agent. and with Clerk Bryan
Immediately went 10 Brooke. whore the
process was served and where DR.. Wagner
told Mr.. Garriss that il was important for
the president Of the company 70 receive It
at once and produced An envelope directed
TO William +. Diusmore, New York, with
the following inscription on the end: II
not delivered in three days return To Har
rison Wagner. Washington, ID. c., TO be
held till called for in general delivery"
Mr.. Garriss then placed the process in
the envelope and il was sent. Wagner
also stated that II was very important that
the matter should be kept quiet, az the COM
panv did not desire any publicity, and
offered. it is illegcd. Bryan $1,000 if the
Judgment WAS recovered. He then left the
money with Nr. Bryan to employ counsel
and arrange all other matters appertalning
TO the suit.
Wagner is now Swallowed in Washington,
and will, it is stated, be arrested to-mor-
row and carried to Stafford. The gentle
mon who arrived here tonight and men-
toned above Will 90 ~ Stafford tomorrow,
where an indictment will be obtained.
Considerable excitementis manifested over
the suit and the presence of these gentle
men here seems as if there Is something
in it.