The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-30
ALCHEMY IN THE CELLAR.
The philosophers stone" Swindle
Tried in Baltimore.
From the NeuO York Sun.

Tried IN baltimore.
From the Nelc YORK. Sun.
Edward Pinter, alias ''Sheeny Al" who
was arrested in London for attempting to
swindle jeweler in that city by means Of
the philosophers stone" by which he
claimed to be able to increase the bulk Of
gold, is supposed to be the man who played
q similar game in Baltimore, swindling five
we'll TODD merchants out Of 100000.
About three years ago a man came TO
Baltimore and engaged rooms on North
Charles street. He called at the Office OF a
successful real estate agent and introduced
himself as Mr.. Gephart. He said that the
agent rad been recommended TO him as a
discreet and enterprising man, and he de-
sired TO secure his aid in developing a mat
ter that would surely bring fortune to both
Of them. He then unfolied his scheme of
increasing the bulk Of gold, auc insured the
agent that he did not wish him to invest a
dollar in the enterprise until all doubt had
been removed from his mind Of the ability
of Gephart to do all he claimed. He invited
the agent to call at his rooms on Charles
| street, when he would substantiate his
claim by practical facts.
The agent accompanied him and gave
| Gephart good dollar with which to make
the first experiment This dollar was placed
In a small erucible and white powder was
added by Gephert. The two men took
turns at blow-pipe in increasing the heat
10 the crucible until the gold was melted
and mixed with the chemical. Is was al
lowed to cool, after which Gephart took it
out, gave it to the agent, and told him to
send It TO the United States mint to be
assayed and recoined. The mint officials
returned a report showing three times the
amount Of gold that was put into the cru
chile. The same tests witt larger amounts
were continued, and always with the same
result. The real estate agent became con-
vinced of the value of Gephart's secret, and
introduced Gephart to several wealthy citi-
zens, with the view of enlisting them in the
enterprise. The same tests were made be-
fore them. and they. too, became convinced
of Gephart's ability TO increase the bulk of
gold.
A stock company was formed, and the
basement of the house of one of the men
interested was selected as the place of
operations. 1t was fitted up with furnace
| and an iron vat about the size of an ordinary
bath tub. One Of the Gold Increasing Com
pany furnished about $50, 600 in gold and the
other four about $4,000 each. They were
to share proportionately in the profits. In
| the presence OF the whole party Gephart
put all the gold apparently into the
vat and placed it on the fire. He
| then put in quantity Of
the powder and other chemicals In
uOluR Unls, however, ne declined TO permit
any of the party to approach the vat saw
ing that the fumes of the chemicals would
overpower any one not prepared TO resist
them. A top was put on the vat, and at the
suggestion of Gephart extra strong locks
were procured, and the vat was securely
fastened with them The same precautions
ere taken with the door OF the basement
The keys Were given to the gentleman in
whose house the ex Experiment. was being tried
| Gephart said that the vat must not be
| opened for three weeks.
After remaining about the city for several
| days Gephart said he was called to distant
city on business, but would return on the
day appointed for taking out the gold. He
not como as promised. The real estate
agent became suspicious and persuaded the
party to make an investig ltion. They went
| to the cellar, and, upon opening the vat.
found that the gold had disappeared, and In
| its place were stones and scrap iron. The
men were dumfounded. The cellar had
been entered surreptitiously and the gold
stolen.
Health brings happiness. Take Simmons
Liver Regulator for stomach, liver and kid
ney tr0ubles.-Ad.d ruH