Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-07-06

For awhile it is the aim of the sharper to
swindle strangers only, the man who with
n little good money would purchase a lot
of counterfeit not only hopes to get good
deal for not much more than nothing, but
is fain to realize by swindling his friends
and neighbors in passing off upon them
the green goods as genuine currency. That
In addition to this sneaking form of dis
honesty the buyers are at heart often des-
perate persons of murderous intent is evil
denced by the occasional killing of green
goods man by his victim.
By coincidence interesting to the stu
dent of criminal news the latest case of
homicide of this sort took place but day
or two before Anthony Comstock's most
recent successful seizure of green goods was
effected. The man killed was Anthony
Martin-better known as Tony-who had
for many years made comfortable income
off the gullible gudgeons attracted by his
confidential circulars"
1t was in this manner that the taking
off of Tony Martin came about Two
brothers, Robert and Edward K. Hoerner,
sons of the owner of the Bessemer House at
Steelton, Pa, betook themselves to New
York, as is supposed, for the purpose of do
ing up the green goods men. They had had
some correspondence with a man who
signed himself George Phillips and accord
ing to instructions received from him
stopped at Elizabeth, N. j., on their way to
the big city. They registered as Joseph and
Robert Hall and under these names met
man sent by Phillips" who called himself
Wagner. With him the brothers went to a
saloon in New York and met "Phillipsn
He suggested that they should all 90 to
Williamsburg He took along a satchel,
which, he said, contained $4,000 in bogus
money. 1t was to be given to the young
men upon their turning over to him the
roll of good money Containing $3.50 which
they had. 1t would not do, Phillips" said,
to make the transfer where inquisitive
strangers could witnessit and he suggested
that he and Robert Hall" should go into
asaloon on Greenpoint avenue while "Wag-
ner" and Joseph Hall" should go out and
talk the matter over and make the exchange.
This was agreed to, and an aged gentle
man introduced as ''Mr. Stern" and said to
be uncleto Phillips accompanied them. He
beguiled the time by relating wonderful
stories of the advantages that were to ac-
crue to the Hall brothers from the posses
sion of the $4,000 worth of green goods
Joseph Hall" was trife incredulous not
withstanding all this and insisted on see
ing Une BoOuS DeIOfe ne delivered the price.
Very well, +" said Wagner" Take the
satchel and keep the money until we get
back to the saloon. You can give it to me
there. But am afraid that if we all con-
tinue to walk together the cops will spot
us, 80 you had better go ahead with both
money and satchel, and we will follow"
This was assented to, though the young
Pennsylvania hada suspicion. When he
turned to see if his companions were fol
lowing, they were not in sight. His sus-
picion was strengthened by this circum-
stance, and when he felt in his pocket and
discovered that his $3.50 was gone the sus-
picton became a certainty, When he tried
to open the satchel, he found that it was
locked. He whipped out his knife and cut
open the bag 1t contained brick. He
rushed to the saloon. phillips" and his
brother were still there.
These scoundrels have swindled u.s."
cried Joseph.
Then he drew his revolver and began to
shoot, though with such unsteady aim that
the first bullets went wide But the fourth
found its mark, and phillips" received
mortal wound. The two brothers were ar.