Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-13
SWINDLED THE NUNS.
The Benedictine Sisters Cheated Out
of $1,400 by a Sharper.
OTHER CONVENTS ALSO VICTIMIZED
A Chicago Man Sells Worthless Decoctions
for Artists Oils.
HE is NOW OPERATING IN TORONTO

A rather sensational series of swindlins
operations, having Chicago as its head
quarters and extending all over the country
has just been brought to light in this city
Its victims in every case so far as known
are Catholic Conventual Schools, etc, several
OF which are Pittsburg institutions.
Last November an individual neatly and
cleanly dressed, and from all outward ap
pearance gentleman of refined tastes and
education, called at the convent school ol
the Benedictine Sisters, on Canal street
Allegheny. He stated that he was the
representative of an art goods firm in
Chicago, who manufactured a number Of
specialties, which he NOT only sold
but gave lessons in their handling. A con-
tract was made by the sisters with him for a
consideration of 5000. The new ideas were
contained in the method of painting and
doing ornamental work on plush silk and
hair goods. The man proved himself to be
an adept.
Among his little tricks was one by which
he offered to learn the sisters a new way of
painting in combination with inlaid pearl
work. The idea is not by any means new,
but the professor" as he was called,
claimed that his method was an entirely
original one. He was to learn them the
method for the sum of $50.
DISCOVERED A swINDLE.
The process was gone through with. and
the sisters found that an article had been
palmed off on them that was not nearly as
good as they were capable of making them
selves. To add to their discomfort the pro-
fessor' insisted that they had right to pur-
chase the alleged painting from him. and they
were prevailed upon to pay him S35 in addition.
Taking all his charges of extras materials, ETC.,
while teaching, he received in all 81, 400.
During the time he was teaching he expa-
tiated on the merits of the art materials manu-
factured by his firm. The name OF the concern
was the Jarvis Mitchell Art Goods Company,or
some such title. Jarvis was the President.
Mitchell occupied some other important office,
and string of other individuals who occupied
greater or lesser positions of Importance were
named.
The sisters gave him large order. which was
to be filled as soon as possible. When his con-
tract for teaching was finished he was lost sight
of for a time. but returned to be present when
the invoice of goods ordered by the Benedictine
Sisters arrived. He then Immediately present.
ed his bill, which to the Sisters asronishment
amounted to something like 81, 700. They re-
fused to pay it until they had made an exami-
nation of the goods and made some other In
quiries concerning them, as their suspicious
were aroused.
THE ARTICLES WERE WORTHLESS.
The examination developed the fact that
many of the articles sent were worthless. For
some of them which could be purchased in the
city for cents a charge of as high as dollar
was made. Bottles supposed to contain Rus
sian, French and Roman medium oil for
decorating purposes, really contained nothing
but old greasy decoctions of not the slightest
value. The same was the case of nearly every
thing received.
The sisters Immediately sent word to their
Attorney Murphy, in Chicago, who
put detectives to work. 1t was found that
nearly all the compounds were manufactured
in little third-story room on State street in
that city, and that the company SO highly in
dorsed with titles was merely nothing more
than 'the professor.
In the meantime the man obtained an inklipg
of what was on foot and skipped out. but not
before making an attempt. it is said to transact
business with the Converts of Mercy, Charity,
Notre Dame and others in this vicinity, with
bu; little success.
The Mother Superior of the BenedIctine Con-
vent, on Canal street. Allegheny, was called
upon last evening. She said the reports were
true and stated that investigations in Chicago
had clearly proven the crookedness of the mans
operations. Tho police, she said, have as yet
been unable to locate him. The last heard of
him was in London, Ont, from which place he
is said to have departed a week or two since.
During the past week she had received a num-
her of letters from converts and schools in diff
ferent portions of the country, detailing the
rascars operations at the different places.