St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-19
The LOVE Of LUCRE
Brought Much Gold to the
Hands Of a ShreWd and
Clever Sharper.
Baltimore Moneyed Hen Were
Worked for a Hundred
Thousand.
The Scheme Has Brought it's
Originator to Grief in
England.
Chronicle Of Criminal Capeps
Of Varying Kinds and
Degrees.

BALTIMORE, May 1S.-Edward Pinter,
alias "Sheeny AL" who was arrested in
London for attempting to swindle a
gentleman in that city, by means of the
philosophers stone," through which he
claimed to increase the bulk of gold. is
supposed to be the fellow who played
the same game in Baltimore, swindliug
five Well-to-do merchants out of $780, 600.
About three years ago, man came to
Baltimore and engaged a suite of
rooms in a boarding house on North
Charles street. He called at the Office
OF successful real estate agent, and in
troduced himself as Mr.. Gephart. He
said that the agent had been recon-
mended to him as a discreet and enter
prlsing man, and he desired to secure
his aid in developing matter that
would surely bring fortune to both of
them. He then unfolded his scheme of
increasing the bulk of gold, and as
sured the agent that he did not wish
him to invest dollar in the en-
terpriSe 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
tests. The agent accompanied him and
gave Gephart gold dollar with which
to make the first experiment. This dol
lar was placed in small crucible and
a white powder was added by Gephart
The two men took turns at blow pipe
in increasing the heat in the crucible
until the gold was melted and mixed
with the chemical. 1t was then allowed
to cook, after which Gephart took it
out, gave 1t to the agent, and told him
to send 1t to the United States mint to
be assayed and recoined. The mint Of
fcIalS returned report showing three
times the amount of gold that was put
in the crucible. The same tests with
larger amounts were continued, and al
ways with the same result. The real
estate agent became convinced of the
Value of Gephart's Secret
and introduced Gephart to several
wealthy citizens, with the view of en-
listing them in the enterprise. The
same tests were made before 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. This was fitted
up with furnace and iron vats about
the size of an ordinary bath tub.
One of the embarrassing company fur
nished about $4,000 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 apparently put all this
gold into one of the vats and placed it
on the fire. He then put in quantity
of the powder and other chemicals.
In doing this, however, he de-
clined to permit any of the
party to approach the vat, say
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 were
taken with the doors of the basement
The keys were given to the gentleman
in whose house the experiment
was being tried. Gephart said that
the vat must not be opened for
three weeks. After remaining about
the city for several days, GeD-
hart said he was called to distant city
on business, but would return on the
Gay appointed for taking out the gold.
He did not come as promised. The real
estate agent became suspicious and per-
Suaded the party to make an inyestiga-
ton. They went TO the cellar. and
upon opening the vat, found the gold
had all disappeared, while in Its place
was lot of rocks and scraps of iron.
The men were dumfounded. The Gel
lar had been entered surreptitiously
and the gold stolen.