The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-05-02
n swINDLER's OPERATIONS.


How He Induced Some CreduIous Lon
doners to Bite Mt His Glittering Bait.
The clever game attempted by scoun-
drel. has just been brought to light by let
tiers received In this city.
This man. who signs himself as James
Barthwick Arno Id, solicitor" and gives
his address as being at No.9l7 West Market
street. York, Pa, Is evidently an adept at
the business. His plan was to secure the
names of parties residing in London and
then write to them. as he explained In his
letter. Tor the purpose OF Identifying the
one addressed as lcgatee under the will of
the late Mrs Elizabeth Avory of Whining
ton. He would then write another letter
protesting to be satisfied with the proofs
furnished and declare that the one nd
dressed was entitled to a part of Mrs.
AYOry vast estate.
His victims, although they did not know
of any Mrs. Avory. would como to the
conclusion that some relative of theirs
had married man by that name. In the
second letter which the swindler would
send. he would modestly ask for SlS 80,
which is exactly u flo note, to pay for his
trouble. probate fees, etc. Several parties
who received these swindling letters re-
ferred tho matter TO the United States
Consul at London, and were advised by
him, to write to the register of wills In
this city, and ascertain IL such a woman as
Mrs. Il. Avory OF 1899 Market street, had
died last January. leaving large estate.
ItS EtSblN WIS tnuU fteglStGF OIL Wits
John X. Bradford on Tuesday received
the following letter from London. Eng
land. asking for information about the
large estate here:
Is John street, St Johns Wood(
London. N. W., April II. 1871.
To THE REGISTER OF WILLS WILMING-
TON, DELAWARE. u. s. A.
DEAR SIR: The United States Consul in
London kindly advised me to apply TO
you for information which he was unable
to give me and intimated that you would
no doubt render any assistance in your
power.
enclose copy of two letters received
from Mr.. James Darthwlck Arnold solicit
tor. etc, No. 5lT West Mark ct street. York
Pa, respecting legacy to me under the
will Of Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Avory. and
as find similar letters have been received
by other persons here who are not rela-
tlves of mine and they IA well as I. do not
remember having heard of Mrs. Avory, |
shall esteem 1t personal favor by your
Kindly aacertalning on my behalf and in
forming me as quickly M possible IL the
information In the lettera Is correct; also
Il yen believe the solicitors to be respecta-
BILE and reliable.
You will note he asks clio for fees to be
sent him, but before doing so under the
circumstances | shall anxiously await
your kind reply and thanking you, in an
tlcipatlon. am, sir, Henry DURHAM.
Per W. NJ. NJ.
As soon as Mr. Bradford received the
above letter he made diligcnt inquiry to
ascertain whether such a person us Mr..
Avory had ever lived IN this city. He also
ascertRined that no VIII left by any one
of that name had ever been offered for
probate. A momenta reflection also show
cd that thefe is no such n number us 1899
Market street, the highest number being
1917 Market street. Mr.. Bradford has writ
ten tho facts of the case TO IL member OF
the Pennsylvania Legislature. residing In
York. and 1t is probable that unless mr..
Arnold" makes himself scarce. he may be
called 20 account by the United States nu
thorities for using the mails for improper
purposes