Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-03-31
10 MAKE Money ~ Clsssr8y AseEspetsx
Bts NlstIL.s tEdsT the AiiariAS
frsaaiss Of tatSta WsAIaA la
sP&iE-His sgste.

point 10 cooperative action
The fraudulent schemes are of the
same general plan. bat details are
varied infinitely 10 meet the character
Of the victim. As rule he is person
who has at some time had slight ac-
quGintance with Spaniard. He re-
ceives letter from a spanish priest
telling him that large sum Of money
has been devised 10 him by this Span
lard on conditions tsst always involve
the advancement of greater or less
sum Of money 10 pay necessary charges.
The Erst notice the department of
state had Of the swindle was letter
addressed - President Harrison soon
after he assumed his Office. In this
letter the writer. a Catholic priest, as
he described himself. informed
the president that Spanish
army officer after undergoing incredi-
BILE vicissitudes of fortune had died in
Spain. lie mad delivered 20 the priest
a package containing 500, 900, which
was TO be turned over 10 President
Harrison on the sole condition that he
would assume charge Of the officers
little daughter. Incidentally the amount
of $1,000 was needed 10 pay neces-
sary expenses. The matter was con-
iidential and the president was TO
direct his reply in Spanish TO the
priest and inclosc il in letter ad-
dressed to a Spanish lady. The priest
also inclosed letter from a bishop
testifying to the good character of the
priest, but, perhaps from inadvertepce.
or more probably To avoid conviction
If detected. the testimonial was made
out for person of different name from
that signed by the alleged priest.
The next person selected as a victim
was Gen. Bartlett Of the pension Office
in Washington. In this case a great
quantity of valuable plate was at
stake. encumbered With an innocent.
angelic child Of a Spaniard. whom the
general readily recalled as an acquaint.
ance OF his early years. His suspicious
were aroused by the unusual precau-
tons that were to be observed, and he
escaped without loss.
Early last week q citizen of Creston,
Ia, was told that $40. 600 in Jewels and
treasure was buried in his neighborhood
by Spaniard he had known in bygone
years He was to have description OF
It's location and part of the proceeds
of the property il he would send the
remainder TO a daughter Of the Span.
lard. binding himself heavily and re.
hitting money TO pay charges before
receiving the chart showing the lcca
ton of the treasure.
A member OF the United States house
of representatives last summer also
came In for one of these prize packages
which were warranted TO contain a
fortune and a beautiful heiress. A
letter was addressed TO this mem
Der from the Partisan church OF
San Jaime Atreida." bearing the sea
of the church and the seal Of
the arch bishopric of Toledo. Tho
letter. like the others. purported TO bs
from priest-Albcrto Sonar, in this
case-located in the province of Radios
Dona Maria Casilias, Celle Judcira, No
% V;llanueva la Sarena. This letter
is chiefly remarkable for the crafty
manner in which the prizes: seeks 70
making IL appear 10 be in the recipi
ent's interes; 10 maintain silence.
The priests story is romantic. as !.
invariably the case. An illus.riou,
prisoner had died in a castle The
charge upon which he was confined
emhezzlement from tie state--was cum
ningly stated with apparent
IL.
gestion indirectly accounted fol
tho great fortune of 1000
900 pesctas about 81 SEQ. COO which tn,
prisoner had secrctcd. lie had selected
the American Congressman To act rs hi,
executor He had an innocent. ANGEL,
heiress. and was willing to allow tn.
executor the fifth part Of his forum.
fer his trouble. The priest had beer
told under the seal of the professional
that the Treasure had been se
crcny deposited hy the illustriou,
prisoner in the bank Of London. j
happened that his baggsge was in pos
session Of the court. and in secret 70
cess OF one Of the trunks was concealed
the receipt of deposit Of the money
/ The prisoner ia his wall had stipulated
that his executor should pay down 20.
900 pesetas Is, oOel for the purpose o
withdrawing the baggage from tn
hands If fhs court. Because the baggag'
would not be surrendered by the cour-
| IL the secret were discovered. the prizes
I enioirs upon the congressman
sepulchral silence in regard 20 tb'
matter Also he warns him tina
/ powerful enemies of the deceased ma
! take steps 20 discover the secret an,
says Pail not into the temptation o
revealing the secret. since. II you re
msin stssdfsst. ron viii prevent IN
/ eternal misfortune Of the innocent an
gel
The priest signs himself "Your mos
I arsctionate brother in Christ and in
/ closes q letter frsm Antonio or Ails-in
I o. arch bishor Of Toieao. dsiy scaled
snjo.nins the congressman ~ sen
along the money. beginning with
4 draft q =. 500 on London ~ Ps*is
n arrears -. II fhis csse ss IL %
case a To Letter addressed % Pres
! cent Harrison. the mare q tive Prizes
,s given ny NJ srch bishop 10 speil--
d5rer,ntlv from TIE name ei~en >
~ priest himself. Hnreover. the rea
arch sishop ~ Toleao IL Don higue
Pays Eico. ard the prstentioss sea-
-. proes1ly not e0snserfeits but er
I teraporsDeons S. <ss
TIE fas* crs7nF uricatsoa On ~ ~uh
at wfsseh has r>scbea the department