Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-14
WHERE is HARVEY BLAIR I?
Our Police Have NO idea---
Something About His Work.

u Ia
Our Police Have No idea---
Something About His Work.
The authorities are not very sanguine
in their expectations OF capturing j.
Harvey Blair, the pious young man who
had a check cashed after his friend had
endorsed it, leaving the friend TO hold
the bag TO the tame of some $500. That
blair ia no novice at the crook business
is evidenced by the methodical manner
in which no set ont 10 get Cashier Bur
nett. of the First National Bank. to cash
o worthless draft OF 81, 1877 to his credit.
WANTED IN CHICAGO.
Clerk Washington, OF the Chief-oi-
Polices Office, yesterday Unearthed a
circular from Chicago under date OF
March q, 1898, which, it is thought, re-
fers to BLAIR. 1t reads:
$50 REwARD.-I hold indictment for
passing bogus draft $1,000 for one Ro-
bert L. Taylor, about 80 years Old, . feet
9 inches tall. weighs l45 pounds, dark
complexion, full dark whiskers and
moustache (whiskers clipped short, thin
features, prominent nose, eyes have APP
pearance of being sore Chat is, the eye
lids are graduated and red, wore dark
suit OF clothes, long dark ulster, and
Fedora hat.
"His nlOdus Operdpdi is to work re-
ligious and temperance people get in
their confidence and get them to intro
duce or vouch for HIM at business houses
and banks for the purpose OF passing
worthless drafts and papers upon them.
IL found arrest and wire me. The above
reward will be paid 10y Alfred II. Smith
Il Co.. OF this city. Address informa-
ton to ALEX. 5. Ross,
"Chief Inspector Police.
When the Boston detectives who
came here for Zimmerman were in
Major Poe's Office yesterday afternoon
they expressed the opinion that Blair
was heading for their home. They took
the circular and said il the gentleman
came to the Hub they woull take him
in aud wire the Richmond officers
MAY GET HIS MONEY.
Blair, TO use the cant expression, was
banking" on the bank-that is, he
was lending all his energies in that di-
rection. 1t is an undoubted fact that
he gave away several hundred dollars
fiat IN cash, not checks. to various Chris
-Endeavor societies and lodges of
Good Templars. All of these sums, 1t
is understood, will be returned TO the
young gentleman who endorsed the
check, the organizations not desiring to
keep money which they feel was vir-
tually stolen from him.
Blair actually had the eflrontery while
here TO consult an architect as to the
drawing up of plans for a $40, 900 build
ing for the Good Templars. The archi-
tect replied in writing to Blair that he
would prepare the drawings for S400
and would donate $500 of the amount
towards the fund.
Blair's Work in Petersburg.
A special to the DISPATCH from Pc
tersburg gives the following account Of
Blair's work in that city
The exposure in tho DISPATCH of this
morning OF the conduct Of ]. Harvey
Blair, the Christian Endeayo man, pro-
duced a profound sensation here. Blair
had been actively working in our city
for ten days or two weeks, organizing
Christian-Endeavor societies in the diff
ferent churches, endeavoring to create n
sentiment among the people which
would induce them to encourage tho laud
able work among the young people visit
ing the ministers and interesting them
in the great work of the young people
of their congregations; making addresses,
doing eyanRelistic work, conducting
prayer-meetings, and doing everything
else to convince the people that he was
a man Of extraordinary piety. He was
as a man Of means who had
left the inhospitable climate of Mime
sofa to spend the winter among
the genial people Of the South
for the benefit Of his health,
and in the mean time he would take
advantage of his visit to educate our
people in the good Christian work. He
was first introduced here some days ago
by citizen Of Richmond. He visited
Rev. DR.. Rosebro, OF the First Presby
terrain church Rev. j. X. Tillery, Of
the Wesley Methodist Episcopal church.
and Rev. Mr.. Askew. OF the
same church, all OF whom were
interested in the organization in
their respective churches of societies
for the promotion of Christian work.
On Friday night he organized society
at Wesley Methodist Episcopal church.
On Saturday, in company with the State
secretary of the Virginia society, he
visited a number OF our people. On !
Sunday night he assisted in prayer
meeting at the Tabb-Street Presbyterian |
church before the hour of regular SER
vice, and when the regular service was |
opened he addressed large congrega-
ton in explanation of the objects OF the |
Christian. Endeavor Society, and on !
Monday he left for Richmond or some |
other part.
GOT 5000 BEFORE LEAVING.
He deceived everybody, however, be-
fore he left the city. He was introduced |
10 the paying-teller Of the National |
Bank by one Of our prominent ministers.
who understood that he wanted TO have |
a small draft on New York cashed and |
who believed him TO he all right. Sub
Blair came to the teller with |
draft for 5000 on New York, which WAS
cashed without suspicion, and |
be left our city with a well-flled pocket
book and has not since been seen or
heard from until tho DISPATCH of this
morning brought the exposure Of work
u Richmond.
Blair said to one of our citizens that
le was q widower, his wife having died
asst fall and his only child year or two
before. He said that his father was very
anxious for him to come back home and
lad written to him urgently several
lines to return, bat the southern eli
nate had 80 well agreed with him that
lie would not leave for home until the
old weather was over. He had been
uccessful in the Christian Endeavor
work and had been much pleased with
lis reception in the South.
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Paper Business Is Good.
The annual meeting of the stock
folders of the Albemarle Paper Manu-
Company was held at noon
'esterday. The report of the Secretary