New-York tribune., 1891-05-27
WILES OF BUNCO MEN.
A NEW-YORKERs STORY OF ARKANSAS
PERFIDY.
MICHAEL GRoH SAYS HE WAS CHLoRoFoRMED
WHEN AT HOT sPRINGs-HE HAS STOPPED
PAYMENT on HIS CHECK FOR s2,172,

PAYMENT on HIS CHECK FOR s2.172,
AND WANTS TO FIND THE HOLDER.
Michael Groh, the head of the brewery iirm OF
Michael Groh * Sons, in West 1wenty-elghth-st'
has recently had an experience with some unusnal
~ bold swindlers, he says, and escaped from
them only by making the whole affair pubic, ana
so frightening them off, Mr.. Groh is wealthy
man. lie is well built and apparently strong
but for several years he has not been enjoying
the best of health, and has been In the habit oc-
casionally of spending few weeks of Hot springs,
Ark. lie was at the Springs on April last, ana
while sauntering about his hotel, he says, he was
approached by a young man who introduced him.
self as Mr. Tiffany This young man said he was
schoolmate Of Mr. Groh's son, and told Of a
number of prominent New-York people with whom
he was acquainted His story was SO plausible
that Mr.. Groh believed him.
Tiffany said he had heard that Mr.. Groh was
going to leave the hotel in few days. lie was
sorry for this, he said, because he had promised
Mr. Grohs son number OF photographs OF
the landscapes in the vicinity, and the pictures
were not vet ready. lie asked Mr.. Groh
| II lie would not go with him to
his cottage, short distance away, to see those
Of them that had been already prepared. MI
Groh consented TO this, and they started OIL 20
TiTany's cottage, When they had walked about
mile Tiffany declared that they had taken
the wrong path and would have to return They
finally reached a cottage that Mr. Groh Is sure
that they had passed before. He rather marvelled
at this. but did not have much time to think
about it. as Tiffany hustled him inside at once.
4 man was sitting at a table inside the cottage
Tiffany introduced him to Mr. Groh, and then
asked him if any of those photographs were ready
The man answered that they had come. but that
he had been obliged to send them back to St.
Louis to the photographer, as they were not quite
up to the sample. Tiffany appeared to be quite
disappointed at this, and was about to turn away,
when the man at the table told him that he had
won SOL in the last game they had played, and
counted out roll of bills and gave it to him.
This at once led TO a game of cards, and Tiffany
| appeared TO he winning great deal OF money
| from the other man. They asked Mr.. Groh to
| Join them but he said that he did not play cards
| Tiffany finally induced him to sit beside him as
his Mascot and every now and then would
put his cards up to Groh's lace, to let him see
what good hands he getting.
The last time that Tiffany did this he placed his
hand at Mr.. Grohs breast. A sckenng odor fol-
lowed, and before Mr.. Groh could realize what was
taking place he grew dizzy and became uncon-
| scious. When he recovered he a long distance
| from the cottage, and was leaning against post
| Tiffany was with him. Mr.. Groh was still dazed
and did not realize what had taken place. Tiffany
| guided him back to the hotel, and left him with
/ Mrs. Groh. Mr.. GrOh sick that lac went
| 10 a druggist he knew, and the druggist dis
| covered at once that he had heen chlo1oformed.
| The hand that Tiffany had held to his victims
breast had contained an open bottle of chloroform
The 70 " sing day Mr.. Groh and his wife started
| for home. Before starting, however, and through
| fear that while unconscious he might have been
led to sign some paper, he telegraphed to his sons
to stop payment on all his checks.
| Three hours before his arrival in New-YOrk
| check purportng to have been signed by him was
| presented at the West Side Bank for certifcaton.
| The check was for $:,l72. Mr.. Grohs sons were
informed, but before any of them could reach the
bank the man who Lad the check had gone.
The holders of the check continued their efforts
to get the money and finally started suit for the
amount employing as their lawyer 4. IL. Nones, Of
| Vo A7O Broadway. Mr. Groh's attorney is j.
| George Flammer, of Greenwich and Warren SITS.
Mr.. Fiammer said that the check had been got into
court by transferring it to and through three or
| four persons. The last one was named Frank
| Goodwin, and he sued as an innocent
holder. On Monday Mr.. Flammer got an
and his client to appear in Chambers,
| so that something could be learned in regard 10
Goodwins identity The motion was to be argued
| that morning NOnes and his client did not ap-
pear. NOnes wrote letter 10 Lawyer Flammer
saving that the reason he did not appear was be-
| cause he did not know where his client was. He
| had heard through friend. however, that he had
| gone 10 California. NOnes declares that he never
| saw Goodwin. his client lie says that the check
| was sent to him by lawyer at Hot Springs, and
| that all business with Goodwin was transacted
| through Of his friends. The check was writ
| ten on common piece OF paper.
| Michael Groh is sick in bed, and has not seen
il. One of his sons who has seen it declares that
| his fathers signature is genuine.