Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-05
A CLEVER SWINDLER
He PRACTICES ON PRIESTS AND
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
Attempt to Obtain Money from Fathers
O'Farreli and Price-How Romano
War Enirspped by the Latter.
fCorrsspondenceo Of the RIchmond Dlspatch.l

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETrRsBuRG, Va, January 4.-Rev.
Father 0'Farrell. priest in charge OF st.
Joseph's Catholic church, of this city. this
morning received telegram from Father
Price. the Catholic priest in Halifax. n. O.,
announcing the arrest of man named
Romaine alas Goldsborough, and thereby
hangs an interesting story.
On Tuesday of last week, while Father
O'Farrell was seated in his library at his
parochial residence, on Market street. he
noticed two strangers walking up the
street. A few minutes later the elder OF
these men, person of very neat appearance
and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. return
ed, and, knocking at the door OF the
residence, was politely received and eidden
to walk in and take a seat. The stranger
gave his name as Romaine, and introduced
himself by handing Father O'Farrell
letter purporting 10 be from Father Allen,
president os st. Mary's College, OF
Emmettsburg. Md. The Father, care
fully read the letter. 1t stated that
Mr.. Romaine was commlssloner
in equity for Carroll county, Md.
and executor of the estate of Mrs. Mary
Ball, who had willed considerable
amount Of money to St. Joseph's parish.
Mulvey WAS at one time IN charge. Ihe
stranger stated the amount to be between
800 and $500. At this point there seems
TO have been q mutual recognition be-
tween Father O'Farrell and his visitor, rs
the latter, rising aud excusIng himself, re-
tired, saving that he would call again In
the afternoon. He never returned.
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
The fact was Father OFarrell had reoog-
niZed RoIaaine. and the latter, who was
remarkably intelligent man and person
OF fine conversational powers. had recog-
nized the Father. This accounts for his
abrupt departure. Father OFarrell says
that about ten years ago he was assistant
TO Rev. Father McNerY. in Staunton, when
this same man called at the parochial rest
dence and introduced himself as Mr. Colds
borough. lie then represented that be-
quest had been left the church IN Stoun-
ton and presented a check for $500,
covering the bequest. but said that
there were some expenses attending
the case aud wanted fee of S25 for
services. Father 0Ferrall, IN the absence
OF his principal, declined to pay the
amount. and the stranger got nothing from
that source. lt is stated, however. that
under the same representations Colds
borough got about $50 from the large
educational institutions in Staunton
After the stranger had left his residence
here Father O'karrell endeavored 10 keep
watch upon him. but he escaped his
vigilance. as also that of the police. to
whom the facts had been reported.
WORKING IN NORTH CAROLINA
On Friday last Father Price. of Halifax,
n. O., arrived in this city ami called at
once upon Father O'Farrell. He appeared
very much elated over the fact, "a no
stated that he had check for $500. which
had been given him by one kOmalne to
cover legacy left to his church at Hollfax,
and the object of his visit here was TO
collect the money. While in Weldon
Father Price accidentally met the
confederate of Romano. who told
him there was no necessity for HIM
TO come TO Petersburg TO cash the check,
as the money could be as easily collected
through the express company. But Father
Price preferred TO get the amount III per-
son. The probability IS that he paid llo-
orally for his experience, and that his splr-
its fell when Father O'Farrell told him
, that Romaine was swlndler, and re-
peated his own experience with him.
RoWAINE's ARREST.
After talking the matter over Fathers
OFarrell and Price went 20 the telegraph
Office and sent messages TO the priests in
| ing them to look out for Romano. Father
prlce returned home with his bogus ehec6 X
and subsequently telegraphed tather
O'Farrell that Romano had been arrested
and asking whether or not the prisoner
could bo held on the frauds committed IN
Staunton. The authorities OF tho latter
city have been communicated with IN re-
spect to the matter.
FORGED LETTER.
II should here be stated that Father
O'Farrell telegraphed to Father Allen, at
Emmettsburg as TO the authenticity OF the
letter OF Introduction presented 10 him
by Romaine and received an answer that
the letter was a forgery The strangers
intention was no doubt 20 swIndle Father
O'Farrell out OF S25 or $50 as the alleged
costs Of bringing the bequest.
THE swINDIER IN WILMINGTON.
[By telegraph to the Dispatch.
WrLM1NGroN. n. c., january "A
stranger, representing himself as DR.. w. ).
Ellison, of Washington city and executor
of the estate Of Mrs. Eliza Wardlaw, call
ed on the Rev. DR.. Nash, pastor Of the
Fifth-Street Methodist church. last Mon
day and informed him that Mrs. Mardlaw
had in her will lett that church $500,
and he wished TO draw a slght-dratt
on Drexel u Co., Of Philadelph ..
which was done. He added that tho
costs in court when the will is probated
would amount to S615, which amount DR..
Nash gave him. The stranger so capti-
yated the pastor by his pleasant address
and oily tongue that he was invited to
supper at the parsonage, where he enter
tanned the family with stirring incidents
of the late war. 1t has just transpired
that the seductive stranger IS a fraud, and
that he has been playing the same game
at other points. There is no trace OF him
thus far.