The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-20
ANOTHER FAIR FAKIR.
SEVERAL PROMINENT RICHMOND
LADIES BADLY SWINDLED.
Pretty samples Of Fine Dress Goods at
Nominal Figures Were Too Great =
Tcmptation-Where is She?

worlds goods and chattels by reason Of
their confidence in a rather good-looking
woman, who talked smoothly, and then
managed to make herself scarce just at
the time she is badly wanted.
About nine weeks ago a woman calling
herself Mrs. Kate Wheeland arrived in
the city in company with a boy about
fifteen years Of age, whom she called
Ernest Wheeland. and represented him
to be her son. The woman was rather
| pleasing looking. well dressed. and very
taxing In manners. She appeared TO be
ABOUT thirty-eight years Of age, short,
compact figure, small black eyes and
black hair, besprinked here and there
with gray. The boy had black hair and
eyes, very short upper lip. and UNI
usually low forehead. The woman on
gagged board at Mrs Registers. near the
corner Of Seventh and Franklin streets.
She stated that her husband was dead.
and that she was from New York Her
manners and general bearing were so
attractive that 1t was only a short time
ere number Of people were disposed 10
be interested in what she had to tell
some OF those who talked with her spoke
OK her conversational powers in the
highest terms. She seemed to have
Travelled a good deal, and was well ac-
quainted with people and places, besides
having a good knowledge Of art theatri-
cal matters and numerous other subjects.
me alleged Mrs Wheeand represented
herself TO be seamstress Of high repu-
tation, and indeed, exhibited some beau
tlful pieces OF work. which she claimed
10 have made In the course Of her re-
marks she stated that friend or hers
owned an interest in a dry goods estab-
nshment In New York city, which estab-
nshment had made an assignment. and
the goods had 10 be sold al a very low
rate In consequence She herself took
much interest I'm her friends welfare.
and had determined TO sell some Of the
goods by way Of assistance at the same
ume claiming to have no personal in
terest In the matter. To supplement
her statements in this direction she ex-
hiblted a number Of samples Of dress
goods, among which were beautiful pat
terms OF silk. These were priced at such
nominal figure that quite a number of
ladles were DESTROYS Of accepting the al
leged Mrs. Nheelands proposition 10
order the goods and make the gowns
at surprisingly low figures. II is said
mat she was Offering silks which cost
from 81 TO Sl.25 a yard in Richmond AT
the nominal price Of - cents to 30 cents
Mrs. Wheeland at the end OF n month
procured apartments for herself and |
son at Mrs. NiXOn's boardng-house No. |
nS east Clay street. IL was only natural /
mat the boarders, as well as the land |
lady should have trusted her. for all |
the indications pointed TO her being |
woman OF superior qualities and her
powers Of conversation were really won-
derful. While at Mrs Nixon's {. is said.
30 . 4.
dress goods. which she was 10 make
up for the ladies. Among those who
gave her orders were Mrs. McAdams.
Mrs. Lottier. Mrs. Charles Stokes Mrs
Cabell, Mrs. Bowie and a number Of
other prominent ladies'. In most IN
stances the money was given her, for
which she gave receipt. and imme-
diately sent the boy. who, II is believed
was nothing more that an accomplice
10 the scheme. TO go out TO send the
order She claimed that Il would take
one week for the goods to reach Rich
mond. In one instance, when the goods
were not forthcoming at the end OF the
week. lady went TO her and made in
quiries, when Mrs. Wheeland made ex-
cuses. adding that she was expecting
the order 10 arrive every day This
continued for some time, when the lady
demanded emphatically either the goods
or her money when the latter was finally
paid.
To make a long story short. on last
Tuesday week Mrs Wheeland remarked
that her trunk was IN bad repair. and.
after some Inquiries. decided 10 send II
down town to be renovated. She went
)ut soon afterwards and has not re-
turned since. Where she has gone,
what has become Of the money given her
ly the number Of ladies with which 10
purchase the dress goods. what dispose
ion has been made OF a handsome seal
kin cloak which she procured from
prominent Franklin-street lady for the
alleged purpose Of lining the same,
whether she will ever pay the eighty ,
dollars due on her board bill. who will ,
wear the numerous articles Of other :
,eOples wearing apparel, which disap- I
,eared with her, whether or not she will r
yer pay back the money she borrowed
rom quite a number OF acquaintances ,
he made, how much she owes Mr.. WIN !
er. the furniture man. from whom ,
he made some purchases upon the in ;
talmkt plan, whether or not she ever
vas Clara Morris costumer for quite
while-all these questions and n number :
others, remain 10 be solved by Ser
cant 4. NJ TOmliusOn. I'm whose hands ,
he case has been put for Investigation. =
Some say they believe she went to Nor J.
ok, for she made a number Of Inquiries .
bout the city by the sea; others are
Z the impression that she hied herself
wards Baltimore. where she claimed
, have done seamstress work. though
IL stated that she asked one OF the l.
Dove- mentioned ladies. who was writing
an acquaintance in the Monumental /
lty. not TO mention her name I'm the
tier, as some Of her patrons In Bal a
more might wish her 10 return, which "
tier IS hardly probable. according 70
IL opinion Of some Of those who were
ken in. Wherever she has gone, or -,
neither or not she IS continuing her II
ork. she left a number Of indignant
dy acquaintances I'm this city. who are j
IT In a very friendly frame Of mind AT
ie result Of their treatment. and she /
'ver came back" So endeth the first
lapter. G