The morning call., 1891-05-29
GOLD MADE OF NOTHING
Five Baltim0reans Swindled Out
of Nearly 100000.

Edward Pinter, who was recently arrested
In London for attempting to swindle jew
eler in that city by means of the ''philoso-
piers stone," through which he claimed to
increase the bulk of gold, is supposed to be
the fellow who played the same game in
Baltimore. A man came here about three
years ago and enlisted the interest of five
well-to-do and respectable business men in.
bis scheme. He swindled them out of nearly
100000 aud then left for a new field of
operations. BY agreement between the
persons interested the story has not hlth-
erto been made public. They concluded
that it would be better to stand the loss
than TO have it generally known what easy
victims they became to the adroit confidence
man. One of the Baltmareans told the
story to Sun reporter yesterday with the
understanding that the names of those con-
ceTned should not be divulged.
About three years ago." said he, "a
gentleman ~ came to Baltimore and en-
gagged suite Of rooms in Doarding-hous
on North Charles street. He called at the
Office OF well-known and successful real
estate agent on ST. Paul street, and intro
duced himself as Mr.. Gephart. After some
time spent IN pleasant conversation Gephart
said that the agent had been recommen ded
Ia him as discreet and enterprising man,
and he desired to secure his aid in develop
ing matter that would surely bring fort
une to both of them. He then unfolded his
scheme of increasing the bulk Of gold, and
assured the agent that he did not wish him
to invest dollar ia the enterprise until all
doubt had been removed from his mind of
the ability Of GephaTt to do all he claimed.
lie invited the agent to call at his rooms on
Charles street, when he would su0stantiate
his claim by practical tests. The agent ae-
comDanied him and gave Gephart a gold
dollar with which to make the first expert
ment.
This dollar was placed in a small cruel
bic aud white powder was added by
Gephart. The two men took turns at q
blow-pipe in increasing the heat in the
cTucible until the gold was melted and
mixed with the chemical 1t was then 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 as
sayed and reeoined. The mint officials
returned report showing three times the
amount OF gold that was put into the cruci-
bic. The same tests with 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
lured on by the pros poets of an easy and
early fortune. be 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 GephaTtS ability to
increase the bulk of gold.
"A stock company was formed and ar
rangements were made for erecting large
warehouses and equipping them with neceS-
SaTy appliances to carry on the work.
Before this was done Gephart suggested
that the work be begun on a small scale,
and proposed the basement of the house of
one of the men interested as the place of
operations. This was fitted up with huge
furnace and two large iron watts, about the
n m ord D0TNr hail trh ~ md
taken there. One of the embarrassing
company furnished 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 Gep-
hart apparently put all this gold into one of
the watts and placed it on the FIRE. He then
put in quantity of the powder and other
chemicals. In doing this, however, he de-
cl1ned to permit any OF the party TO ap-
preach the vat. saying that the fumes of
the chemicals would overcome any one not
prepared to resist them. A top was put on
the vat, and at the suggestion of Gerhart
extra strong locks were procured and the
the vat was securely fastened with them.
The same precautions were taken with the
door of the basement The keys we're given
to the gentleman IN whose house the eX-
pertinent was being tried. Gephart said
that the vat must not be opened for three
weeks.
after remaining about the city for sew
eral days Gephart said he was called to a
distant city on business, but would return
on the day appointed for taking out the
gold. The party OF investors still had no
SCSp cion, and Gephart left. When the
q elapsed he did not return, still none of
G party went near the Vat. Three days
more passed and he did not come, as prom
ised. The real estate agent then became
suspicious, and finally persuaded the party
10 make an investigation. They went 70 the
cellar, and upon opening the vat found the
gold had ali disappeared. while in its place
was a lot of rocks and old scrap iron. BAL
timor,. SIM