The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-09-27
Charles TAR Captured.

Charles Tarr. noted crook, was run
down at Conuellsville one night last week
by Policeman Mcdonald and turned over TO
United States Detective ]. o. Roberts. TAR
is wsEfed by the United States authorities
for defrauding pensioners and also for eoun-
terfeiiing.
For the last year he has defrsuded old sol
diers in Somerset county by passing himself
of sz Dr. Wood, pension examiner. He
had bogus credentials and made thorough
canvass Of the county. He examined sol
diers, taking down their war record and
their present condition. This done be in
formed The soldiers that he T0uld report fav-
orably and secure them pension if they
would pay him SIS or s20. His scheme was
successful and he feeced large number of
soldiers. The pension authorities got pos
session Of some of the receipts given by Tarr
and started Detective Roberts on his trail.
The Detective has been on Tarr's tracks since
last April. He came near landing him in
Cumberland, Friday, but Tarr left on a
freight train. Roberts followed him to Con-
neIlsville and informed the police who sr-
rested Tarr on Water street Saturday night
When arrested Tarr WAS indignant aud
claimed that his rame was Kerr and that be
formerly worked in Uniontown. When De-
tec;ive Roberts presented himselfat the lock
up Tarr confessed that be was The man. De
teciive Roberts has sufficient evidence TO
convict Tarr on both charges. He took him
TO Pittsburgh Monday.
Chss Tarr, alias Dr. Chas. H. Woods, has
done good bit Of talking since his arrest to
United States Marshal CARRIER and some of
his stories Of operations in this county are
interesting. Tarr will be tried next October
on the charge Of representing himself to be a
pension examiner and deirauding Alexan-
derJ. Nickola, Adam Nicholson and Angus
tus Sellers, of this county Of 81 80 each. 1t
IS thought he will plead guilty when the
case is tried.
He related to NJ. CARRIER an interesting
story of his life. He has been a mounte-
bank for years, and has Travelled all over the
United States. When he was arrested he
was engaged in giving fake shows in coun-
Try school houses in FAyette and Somerset
counties. He said he had struck an easy
thing" Of il in tha; neighborhood, and had
been spending much time there. His spec
ialty IS marrying farmers daughters FOR the
money there is in IL.
He found farmer in Somerset county
who thought be had iron ore on his land,
aud he offered him a fabulous sum for the
mineral rights OF the land and hired him to
take out the orc. TaEr had no money with
him because it was dangerous to carry it
around, but he gave the farmer his notes for
all that was needed. The farmer put his
sons and relatives at work in the new mine
and TarT enjoyed himself experimenting
the work until few days before the notes
fe.l due. Then be went in search of ano,h-
er victim.
He ran across farmer who had daught-
er who hsd fallen once, but had been re
claimed and was walking in the path Of
righteousness. The farmer wanted to marry
the girl 10 some worthy young man, and as
al inducement offered q farm Of l70 acres,
partly cleared, and a cash bonus. Tarr con
yinoed him that be was the worthy young
man be sought, and the engagement was an
nouneed in the neighborhood Tarr spent
iEo or thee pleasant weeks oouriing the gil
and eating three meals a day. he finally
grew tired of The place and induced the faith
er 70 make an advance Of part of the cash
bonus. Then he ief. The old man follow
ed ard caught him ct lockwood Junction
lie had rife on his shoulder aud forced
Tsrr to board train to return % his desert
I'd fanee. Tarr got on the Train, and, al
favorable opportunity, stole the farmers ii
lie and leaped from the cars. He escaped
bat las since avoided that part Of the c0un-
try. Greater inducements are now necessa-
" TO get husband for the doubly unfortu-
nate girl He told Deputy Marshal CARRIER
that that was the closest call he ever had.
TarF's stories should be taken with grain
Of salt