The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-08
TWO SMART YOUNG MEN
P4SSED WORTHLESS DRAFTS on
THE RICHMOND NEWSPAPERS.
Broad Street Firm Also Swindled.
Worked the Advertising Dodge for All IL
Was Worth-Caught in Lexington.

An episode occurred last week. by which
several Richmond people were swindled
out Of email amounts, and though The
Times was acquainted with the circum-
stances the day OF their occurrence, the
evidence was not considered conclusive
enough for publication at that time.
On Thursday two young men. OF ex-
ceedingly nice appearance. registered at
the Exchange Hotel as A. ]. Zimmerman
and L. a. Marion.
On Friday Zimmerman called on Messrs.
A. X. & c. +. Schaap and introduced him
self as a representative of the Universal
Advertising Agency, of New York, and
stated that they were placing contracts
for the Pope Manufacturing Company
who made the Columbia bicycle. Dr.
Greene, and other large advertisers. and
that they proposed 10 advertise with the
State and The Times. He then made the
proposition to Mr.. Schaap that he take
one-iifth OF the space to show that he
was the agent for the Columbia bicycle
here, for which he should pay one-fifth
OF the cost. This Mr.. Schaap agreed TO
do. If the receipted bills of the two papers
were produced.
The willy Zimmerman then started out
to complete his well-laid scheme. and
visited the newspaper offices, where he
made himself very agreeable, and opened
negotiations for advertising space. At
The Times office he visited the editorial
rooms, and represented himself as being
formerly on the reportorial staff Of the
New York World for several years, and
offered a humorous contribution for the
columns Of this paper. II was we'll writ
ten, but was not published, for the reason
that the alleged humor could not be dis
covered by the city editor.
To make a long story short Zimmerman
succeeded in making contracts with The
Times and State for an advertisement.
After good deal OF assumed desire to
haggle over the price, he offered in pay
ment drafts in each case larger than the
amount OF the advertisement, and by
consent In each case the amount over
was placed TO his credit.
Having secured the receipted bills OF
the two daily papers. he returned to Mr..
Schaap and received the price I'm cash Of
one-fifth OF the advertising contracts, as
agreed. That night the stranger went to
Schaap's and tried to get a draft for $25
cashed. saying he wanted money 10 go
to Roanoke. The firm gave him 80 in
money, and Zimmerman selected SIS worth
Of goods, which he ordered to be sent to
the Exchange Hotel.
The draft, which was signed by r. II.
V. Hanson, treasurer Of the Universal
Advertising Agency. was drawn on the
Safe Deposit and Trust Company. Of
Washington. in favor Of A. j. thinner
man. The Messrs. Schaap have since as
certained that the person named has no
account with that institution.
on Saturday Zimmerman sent an order
from the Exchange Hotel TO the State
for $25, which was the amount placed to
his credit by that paper. The order was
honOred, and the money was sent by
messenger and receipted for by one Of
the clerks in the hotel.
1t appears that when the men were
about to leave the hotel they offered
draft In payment of their board bill,
which was declined, as the hotel never
accepts drafts or checks. Zimmerman
told the cashier that he had money at
the State Office to his credit and that
he would send an order for 1t. which he
did, as stated.
The pair left the Exchange that night.
Fortunately the Messrs. Schaap did not
send the goods the man bought TO the
hotel, and the firm is out only 81 in
money which they do not regret, as they
got the benefit of two days advertising.
Ht lliitSs UdNliS DttOitlr SATISFIED or
the fraudulent intentions of the two nice
looking young men, telegraphed a minute
description of the rascals to the police au-
thorities of Norfolk. Lynchburg, Danville,
Lexington, Petersburg. Roanoke. Atlanta,
Wilmington and Charleston, also with
history of their transactions, and instruc-
ton from Major John Poe, chief-of- police
of Richmond, TO arrest them and notify
him.
They were also advised 10 look for them
in the vicinity of newspaper Offices.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon a reply
was received from Mayor Haughtman, OF
Lexington, saying: I'VE hold two men
filling well your description"
The Lexington authorities were notified
at once that Sergeant Thomas, of the
police detective force. accompanied by
Mr.. Frank NJ. Parker, OF The Times
Company. to identify the men, would
come after them at once. This was fol-
lowed by another telegram from The
mayor Of Lexington. saying:
I'VE are holding men here for passing
worthless drafts. Don't know when they
will be tried"
This was a polite way of telling Major
Poe that he could not have the men for
the offenses committed here until they
were through with them at Lexington.
Major Poe. however. feeling that as the
men were arrested partly on the informa-
ton from Richmond, for offenses COM
mitted prior to those committed there,
that he had the best right to the prison
ers. and Sergeant Thomas and Mr.. Par
ker left by the Chesapeake and Ohio train
at 1O:45 last night for Lexington, to claim
them for trial here.
A special to The Times from Lexington
yesterday says:
Two well-dressed young men passing
under the names Of Eugene Marion. of
New York, and A. ]. Zimmerman, OF the
Columbia Bicycle Company, were abrupt
ly checked by arrest In an attempt to
flood this town with bad paper to-day
and yesterday. Their speciality was ad-
yertising contracts getting back large
balance by means Of drafts. They sue
ceeded In getting into the management
OF the University paper here and q livery
man, and started away. but were at once
arrested. In reply TO telegram from
denying the validity Of
draft. At noon telegram was received