Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-31

Said to Have Swindled Other Negroes Out Of
Large Sums of Money.

Said to Have Swindled Other Negroes Out Of
Large Sums of Money.
Robert Hammond, pop-eyed negro has been
living in clover for seven years past, but his
career was brought to a sudden ending yester-
day when Detective NIahon deprived him of his
liberty and incarcerated him in a cell Of a
police station. This morning he was given a
ride in the 'Black Maria,'' and when he
reached the Police Court dock he learned that
there was a warrant against him for false pre-
lenses.
The warrant charged the insignificant
amount of 1920. but then that was only a drop
in the bucket when it is known that from one
person alone he obtained more than g. 600
while others suffered in smaller sans.
Lawyer Sillers appeared as the prisoners
counsel and said he would waive an examine
ton. expecting to have the court to fix small
amount of bond, but suggestion from Mr.. Null
lowney, the prosecuting officer, caused the court
to call the witnesses and hear the testimony
Counsel thought it an unusual thing for such a
course to be pursued, but the court was of a
different opinion, and after Detective Mahon
had remarked that Hammond was a ICON man"
his victim who had been relieved of the largest
amount OF cash WAS called.
THE STORY OF s'cLAIM"
He was an old colored man named Thomas
Bowie, who. although not being able to read
wealthy ana told the manner in which Ham,
mond had heeced him to the extent of more
than So, 900.
His story was that in 1888 Hammond came to
him and related the story Of ''supercise claim"
he had against the government for $50. 600, and
from time to time he called for amounts rang
ing from Is cents to $50.
Gen. Breselham" was the man who had
charge of the claim and his Office was at the
Capitol. Bowie worked hard with a push cart
| 4. 90 la1. IL H.
money to get the claim through, for they we're
to get half of the 5000 and then they could
r,tire.
Lawyer Snyder was the man whom he said
was on the bond for the amount of the claim.
Hammond had to have money for '.pints I"
and Bowie kept on filling his cup.
Finally, Hammond told him that the claim
had been allowed and President Harrison had
signed the bill.
Cleveland's time" was what he said President
Harrison told him.
THE SAFE WITH THE MONEY.
According to Hammond there could be no
mistake about the money, for a safe had been
moved from the treasury to the marshars
Office in the City Hall and in it the money was
! to be kept for awhile. The moving Of the safe
cost Sill ard Bowies share Of the expense was
$50, which he paid with the firm belief that
he would soon become wealthy.
Ldtcr cu utl CApcusce VI Xo.SU was INCURRED
for changing the minutes" and that was also
paid.
| After the payment Of this and the failure of
| the fortune TO mnterialize the old man became
suspicious and inquiry developed the fact that
he had been swindled.
| But he was not alone in his misery. Louis
Allen, another old colored man. told Of how he
| dropped his S151 into Hammond's hand with
the expectation of receiving double that
amount in n short time, and Maria Murray,
who also wanted to help the claimant along,
gave him $500.
Has he ever paid you back?" Judge Miller
asked Allen.
"Paid WHAT, asked Allen. "Paid nothing.
He's got my money and de old woman 9
| soaked"
| Judge Miller sent the case to the grand Jury
and fixed the bail at $4,000.
Counsel thought that that amount was ex-
| cessive, but the court did not think that the
| bail could be made excessive.
/ "He's got no business out in the sunlight "
remarked the court. I wish had the final dis
position to make Of this case. Light bail for
this prisoner would only be putting . pre-
MUM on the odense."
Hammond was ssnt 10 jan.