The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-06-04
It Was n Bad Day for Gold.

BALTIMORE, Md, May 1S.-Fiye Bal
timore merchants we're victims of the
same kind of swindle which Edward
Pinter, alias "Sheeney AL" played in
London about three years ago, and came
out about 100000 behind the game.
They believe "sheeney 81" was the
swindler.
A man came to Baltimore about that
tins and engaged suite of rooms in a
boarding house on North Charles street.
He called at the Office of ia successful real
estate agent and introduced himself as
| Mr.. Gephart.
BE said that the agent had been re-
commended to him as discreet and en-
terprising man and he desired to secure
his aid in developing matter that would
| surely bring fortune to both them. he
then unfolded his scheme of increasing
the bulk Of gold and assured the agent
that be 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
in Charles street, when he would sub
stantiate his claim by practical tests.
The agent accompanied him and gave
Gephart gold dollar with which to make
the first experiment. This dollar was
placed in q small crucible and white
powder was added by Gephart. The two
men took turns at blowpipe in increas-
ing the heat in the crucible until the
gold was melted and mixed with the
chemical.
1t was then allowed 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 essayed and recoined.
The mint officials returned report show.
ing three times the amount of gold that
was put into the crucible.
The same tests with larger amounts
were continued, and always with the
same result. The real estate agent
| became convinced Of the value of Gep-
hart's secret, and introduced Gephart to
several wealthy citizens with the view OF
enlisting 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 Nas formed, and the
basement of the house of one of the men
interested was selected as the place oi
operations. This was fitted up with a
furnace and iron vats about the size of an
ordinary bath tub.
One of the Gold Increasing Company
furnished about $4,000 in gold and the
other four about $4,000 each. They
we're to share proportionately in the pro.
fits. In the presence of the whole party
Gephart apparently put all his gold into
one of the vats and placed it on the fire
He then put in aquantity of the powder
and other chemicals.
In doing this, however, he declined to
permit any of the party to approach the
vat, saying that the fumes of the chemi.
Gals would overpower any one not prepar.
ed 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 door ofthe basement. The keys were
given 10 the gentleman in whose house
the experiment was being tried. Gephar
said that the vat must not be opened fol
three weeks.
After remaining about the city for sew
eral days Gephart said he was called to 8
distant city on business, but would return
on the day appointed for taking out the
gold. He did not come as promised
The real estate agent became suspicious
and persuaded the party to make an in
vestigation.
They went to the cellar and upon open
ing the vat found the gold had all disap-
peared, while in its place was lot o
rocks and scrap iron. The men were
dumbfouuded. The cellar had been enter
ed surreptitiously and the gold stolen.-
Nev York Herald.