The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-13
HE is A SHREWD FAKIR.
HOW HARvIE BLAIR A
SMOOTH GAME IN RICHMOND.
TIC is Of the Religious Typc-A Check for
over $500 Was Endorsed by a Busi-
ness Man OF This City.

N'fht ANhsse
uon' and this time n fakir Of the shrewd
order, and representing himself to be a
prominent wealthy business man and re-
ured Journalist, has skipped to the tune
or $500. leaving that amount for a prom
inent business man Of this city to pay.
IL VIII be remembered that a man giving
his name as J. Harvie Blair came to
this city about a year ago. and identified
himself with the Good Templars OF this
city. representing himself TO be promi-
nently connected with that organization
elsewhere. He went away, and did not
return until the first Of last March, when
he appeared in the city again. and regis
tered at Ford's Hotel as j. Harvie Blair,
where he remained for three or four
days.
lie then left Ford's and engaged apart
ments at III north Sixth street. "A boarding
house, where Mr.. IL. c. Burnett. cashier
OF the First National Bank, OF this city.
also boards.
Mr.. Burnett met the man at the break
fast table. a few days after the latter
came to his clearinghouse. Up TO the
1Vth Of March Blair talked of scarcely
anything except his connection with the
christian EndeaVor cause, and some per-
sonal matters. Soon afterwards. how
ever. he began 10 foreshadow possible
transactions through the First National
hahk, dropping incidental remarks about
MS business connections elsewhere.
Among his statements in this Connection
ne mentioned that he was associated n
an Official capacity with the Consolidated
lfElEh fNnWanunxr AF DLs.---
Mr.. Burnett. by some adroitness, ascer-
tanned that Blair claimed 10 be the vice.
president OF the abOve-named company.
WIN ms leading statement the cashier.
VINO had a peculiar mistrust Of the man.
began on the Slst Of March TO hunt the
ieIloW up. He mentioned his suspicions
10 President Boulware. of the First Ma
tional Bank. and the latter gentleman.
VINO had met Blair. and had a talk with
nm agreed with the cashier in his i'm
pTeSslons Of the stranger. Mr.. Burnett
then wrote TO the American Exchange
National Bank. of Chicago. I'm reference
10 the man. and apprised President BouI-
ware of what he had done. A reply from
the chicago bank stated that parties in
the fork city never heard OF the man.
WIN was evidently a fraud. Another tele-
gram was sent 10 Chicago. Stating that
bar claimed TO be the vice-president and
auditor OF the Consolidated Brush Com
pany' and that he carried the letter-heads
OF lhat company, and a reply was re-
CelVeo' stating that the Consolidated
Brush Company had no vice-president.
several other communication nassed
between the Richmond cashier and husi-
ness organizations with which Blair
claimed 10 be associated. and all doubt
that the man was a fakir soon vanished
from the minds Of the First National
Bank officials.
Meanwhile Blair made himself particu-
larry agreeable 10 Mr.. Burnett. showing
a number Of attentions and courtesies
TO that gentleman when he was unwelI.
spent money freely. and had wonderful
stories to relate of some OF his prominent
friends, among them ex-Nlayor Babb. of
Minneapolis. who were coming to Rich
mond TO settle. and would invest largely
in Virginia. The sum of $4,000 was to
be brought here, to be followed soon by
much larger amounts, all Of which was
to be deposited in the First National
During this time Blair was by no means
idle. He displayed much energy and en-
thusiasm in the Good Templar circles of
Richmond. \ vacancy recently occurring
on the Good Templar board to erect
Trinity Temple in this city, which as
already stated in The Times, is to cost
$4,000, Blair was unanimously elected to
the vacancy.
Blair claimed to be a representative Of
a Christian organization, and, having been
highly recommended by a prominent
clergyman of Norfolk. soon succeeded in
identifying himself closely with the Chris
tian Endeavor organizations of this city.
He was a brilliant conversationalist. and
about his manner was an earnest, sincere
air, which could not fail to have a
marked effect. He soon began to lead
religious services. and made earnest
addresses in Manchester and Petersburg.
as well as in Richmond. His prayers
we're offered in a peculiarly earnest man
ner. and when the question Of donations
arose he proved himself very liberal.
When an effort was made 10 furnish a
parlor for the Christian Endeavor Society
of the Centenary Methodist church. he
volunteered to bear the entire expense
Of the carpet. and after making addresses
advocating the extension policy of the
work, agreed to pay the expenses Of
a man TO go into the field as a missionary
Of the cause. For this purpose he offered
to give the society Of Centenary church
check for $50. His offer was accepted.
The mans familiarity with the Bible
was remarkable. When he lead class
meetings he used a Bible with passages
marked. and his ability to turn TO certain
passages on short notice was generally
His familiarity with Christian
work was more than ordinary. and it was
only a short time ere he had gained a
prominent place in the esteem OF the
Christian Endeavor people in this city.
Centenary church A beautiful reception
was rendered him, and not a shadow Of
suspicion arose IN connection with his
character until a day or two since.
Blair's case was put in the hands or
Major Poe. and the facts in the case
given to thai official. The Chief Of Police
went TO the First National Bank Monday
morning about 10 O'Clock. and Blair was
at that time in conversation with some
Of the bank officials. having just asked
them TO cash a draft for $~2.l3247, pur-
to be drawn by the Citizens
Bank Of Mortified. Mimi, on the Ameri-
can Exchange National Bank of New
York. The cashier told Blair they would
take his draft for collection only. Major
and the bank officials examined the
draft and found it apparently all right.
A telegram Was sent to the Northhe!d
bank. An answer was received. stating
hat the draft was a forgery. Major Poe
vas notified, and asked TO nave the man
on sight.
After leaving the bank Monday morn
md engaged rooms at $50 per day for
he party OF capitalists. 1t was the
story OF these capitalists that caused
Major Poe TO relax his vigilance. for
when he wired Minneapolis Monday, ask