The evening world., 1893-11-13
BUNCOED AN OLD MAN.
Robert Calder, an 0ctOgenarian, the
Victim of Clever SwindlerS.
liz DALLlED WITH CARDS AND LOST
$1,000 IN HARD CASH.
POLICE ARE WORKING on THE CASE.

Robert Calder. one of Brooklyn's most
respected citizens and octogenarian, is
confined to his home. No. e. Hanson
place. as a result OF having been bun
coed out OF 5000 by two "slick" stran-
gers on Friday morning. 1t is feared
that Mr. Calder has lost his reason as a
consequence of his experience.
on Friday morning MIR. Calder left
his house for walk. At the corner Of
Fulton street and Elliott place, Brook
Ign. he was accosted by neatly
dressed young man, who introduced him
self as the son OF George II. Southard
President OF the Franklin Trust Com
pany. Mr.. Calder knows Mr. Southland,
and also knew that he had son at Yale
College. lie had not seen the latter. and
so the introduction pleased him greatly.
At the young mans suggestion they
went for a ride on a DE Kalb avenue
trolley car. On the way they chatted
about the election and other topics At
Clermont avenue the "slick' young man
stopped the car. and, telling Mr.. Calder
that he was going to visit a friend at
No. 40 Willoughby avenue, invited him
to accompany him. Mr. Calder con-
scented.
At the address named the supposed
Southland opened the door and escorted
Mr. Calder upstairs. In the room was
another well-dressed man, who was adj
dressed and introduced as Mr.. Hopkins.
on a table in the room was velvet
cloth, with numbers on 1t and pack of
playing-cards. "Mr. Southland" was in
vited by Mr.. Hopkins to try his luck.
He tried and won $500. He tried again,
| and the dealer announced that MIR.
| Southland" had won 5000.
1t was at this juncture that Mr.; Calder
was induced to play. the game. He drew
| one card and was declared to have won
5000. MIR. Hopkins had nc, objection
to paying this amount, but he wanted
| some insurance that in the event of his
losing Mr.. Calder could meet his obli-
cations. The latter said he could do
this, but would have to go after 1t.
clared to have won 5000. or course,
Mr.. Hopkins" would pay, but first he
must be assured that the old gentleman
was a man of honor, and emanded the
production of 5000.
With Southland, for companion Mr..
Calder went to the bank to transact some
4ooE two On ned
bonds, from his box. On these he OBJ
tanned a oan Of 5000 from John S.
James Son. the rea estate dealers.
the old gentleman. and he cashed them
at the National City Bank. Then he and
young "Southard" returned to the house
| on Willoughby avenue, where the game
was resumed In, two minutes Mr.. Cal
der was informed that he had lost his
5000 winnings and his own 5000 as
well.
Mr.. Calder declared it a swindle, and
left the house in a frantic state OF mind.
When he reached home he acted strange
ly; but talked 80 incoherently that his
saying. On Saturday morning Mrs.
Calder wen to the bank to transact some
business, and earned that the two bonds
had been taken from the box. She re-
turned home at once, and by question.
ing her husband earned the truth.
Mr.. Calder then reported the case to
Police Station, but not until he had
wandered to the Tenth and First Pre-
sinGt stations In n search o Of AID: He de-
ty.five years old. feet 5 inches in
height. with light-complexion hair, and
slight mustache. He wore. dark suit
and overcoat, and black derby hat. Mr..
9 inches in height, stout, with light hair
and heavy mustache. He also dressed
well.
A World reporter who called at No.
50 Hanson place yesterday saw Mrs.
81 cannot understand it, and Mr..
Calder. who is eighty-two years old, is
too i'll to explain further. He has not
been in good health for several year, and
at times is not himself. He had no diff
ficulty in doing what he did, as he fire.
quently had business dealings for me
with Mr.. James. l am afraid this ex-
perience will dethrone his reason"
At the Fourth Precinct Station the re-
porter learned that No. IS Willoughby
avenue is conducted as Furnished room
house by Mrs. Merritt, thoroughly re-
| spectacle woman. She said the man
Hopkins rented the room on last Mon
day, saying he was an architect He
disappeared from the house on Friday,
after the little game" Detectives Smith
and Delehanty have the case in hand.