The morning call., 1892-08-02
YOUNG, BUT A SWINDLER.
Smooth Confidence Game Worked
by Charles Findley.
He Personated Clement Tobin and Obtained
Diamonds for His Mother-His Return
From the Springs.

Two charges Of felony. for obtaining
diamonds by false pretenses, were recorded
on the City Prison register yesterday
against Charles Findley, rosy-cheeked
young swell who bids fair TO become first
class confidence man. Charley is 10. but he
declares that he is three years younger. He
Is son of the late Thomas FiEdley. who
served term as State Treasurer. Recently
the youth cropped out as "blood" and be-
came dissatisfied with the quiet life at the
modest home of his mother, at 1910 Cough
street. So lie planned clever scheme 10
raise the wind" and to spend some time at
a swell resort in the country. He Sue
ceeded, and might have escaped detection
had he not attempted TO repeat his swim
ding operations.
On the afternoon OF Friday, July %,
young Findley entered the big .welry-store
OF Shreve u Co, at Montgomery and Suffer
sueets, and asked to see some diamond
rings. To Mr.. Treat, the diamond clerk. he
introduced himself as Clement TObin, and
explained that he had just returned from
Georgetown College with his mother He
desired TO make his mother r birthday
present and selected ring that suited him.
CHARGED TO HIS BROTHER.
Then he asked that it be charged to his
brother. Alfred TObin Of the Hibernia
Bank, as the ring was to be a present from
both brothers. The clerk was not satisfied
that the purchasers statements were true.
ana wisely refused him credit.
Charles pretended to be greatly offended
and went to the store of HammeTSmth ~
Field, On Suffer street, between Kearny
aad Montgomery. where he repeated his
story 10 Mr.. Hamme7smith. He told such
q plausible yarn and was SO stylishly
dressed that diamond ring worth $50 was
gwen him and charged TO Alfred TObin.
, on after HammeTsmith went to lunch
aud young findley returned 10 the store.
Again lie related his story and told Mr..
Field that he had decided TO buy pin also.
lie was going TO put the gems IN his
mothers napkin and greatly surprise her.
As his partner had trusted the youth Mr..
Field let him have bar pin with three
diam ends and worth $40.
The same afternoon Mr.. HammeTsmith
met Alfred TObin and related the circum-
stances Of the sale of the jewelry. Tobin
sad that although his brother ard mother
recently returned from Georgetown there
must be some mistake about the matter.
1t was not his mothers birthday, and lie
was sure his brother had not purchased any
diamonds Clement Iobln was next found,
and OF course denied that he had any kBowl-
cage oil the purchase OF the Jewelry.
THE swINDLE COMPLAINED OF.
The swindle was then reported to the
police, and Detective Rogers started out in
search Of the culprit. he could find no
trace of the swindler. but his description
was furnished the leading jewellers, who
were cautioned 10 look ont for him.
Findley again appeared at Shreve's yes
teTday morning, and once more asked to be
trusted for some jewelry. Clerk Treat
recognized him, and sent for Mr. Hammer
smith Owing to the fact that young Find
ley had adrojtly changed his attire. Mr..
Hammersmith was not certain. He sent
for one of his clerks, who recognized the
eulprit beyond a doubt. When Findley
left porter followed him to Vanderslice's
store, where he was repeating the old
story, when Mr. Hammersmith arrested
him and escorted him 10 Chief CrOwley's
Office. There Eindley confessed To Detect
i've Rogers that he was the swindler. He
said he had sold the ring TO Nat Raphael
for 500 and the pin TO Meyers, the ieweler
at Post and Kearuy streets. After dispus-
Ing of the jewelry lie went TO Skaggs
Springs, where he remained until Sunday
afternoon. He admitted that lie had re-
turned TO the city TO try the swindle on a
more extensive scale.
After his confession Findley was booked
and locked up IN a City Prison cell. He is
quite tail, and dresses in the height Of
fashion, not emitting the regulation cape
Overcoat. In addition to his mother he has
several brothers and married sisters who
live in this city. His relatives will prob
ably help him out Of his present prediea-
usnu