The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-17

cure to Americans the possession of En-
glish estates which rightfully belonged to
them The letters making the complaints
had been victimized Moore had evidently
been working the scheme for years. BY
some means, probably with the assistance
OF confederateS, he had been able to get
the names of thousands of Americans, most
of whom belonged to the class that does
not read the metropolitan journals, in
which the manner Of the swindle has been
explained frequently enough to put the
unWary on their guard To these people
Moore would send letters advising them
that they were the heirs to large property
In England or on the continent. The first
letter sent to a prospective victim would
not demand money, or at least go no
further than to offer to prosecute the claim
Tor a certain per cent OF the amount re-
covered. This, seeming reasonable enough,
had a tendency to invite correspondence
Indeed, Mr.. Moore suggested that the per-
son addressed write him for further in
formation. The second letter from the
London man generally stated that there
was a clear title to the heirs claim, but
that 1t would be necessary 10 give bond
to secure costs and that a certain sum
would employ some one in London to act as
surety. Would the victim be so kind as to
send this amount-say $50 American money
II the remittance was made from this side
or the Atlantic a third letter would tell
the Victim that the case was progressing
finely After a little while an alleged de-
cree TO the estate would be sent the Amer
lean. This decree purported to be one is
sued by the Supreme Court of Chancery
TO the effect that certain person or per-
sons. naming the victim among others, en-
Titled to certain property and rights adjudi-
Gated, would be put in possession Of the
property upon the payment of the legacy
taxes, which were usually put at $50. The
alleged decree further stated that upon
would pass to the title of the heirs named
within ninety days. These bogus DEGREES
We're signed DE Tongue, Chancellor" with
the impress Of a rubber stamp of some
name below the title.
This agency of Moore either had some
connection with fraudulent New York
agency, or else Moore had a confederate
in that city. The victims would sometimes
receive letters from Joseph Leger or e.
agency with a high-sounding title. These
New York connections were used by Moore
in furtherance of his schemes. The CORE
Spondence or Moore became so yOluminOuS
that the suspicion of the English postal
authorities was aroused. The United States
consular office in London was overwhelmed
with inquiries about the estates which
Moore comforting on Americans. In
quirieS were set on foot, and il was soon
shown, of course, that the claims were
mythical and the money paid to Moore for
prosecuting the claims was just so much
money in the pocket of a sharper The
Scotland Yard people sent Inspector Froest
to see Moore. 1t was seen that any pros
ecution Of Moore in England would be diff
ficult, as the prosecuting witnesses were
without means. Inspector F'roest had an
interview with Moore and the swindler
agreed to give up his business with the I'M
Outstanding that the case would not be
pressed against him IL he refrained from
further defrauding the people. Moore ad-
mitted that his business was not a legiti-
mate one. The business in London was dis
continued, and Moore disappeared.
REV. HOWARD'S ARREST.
The United States postal authorities were
we'll posted on Moore's methods after the
investigations in England, and when COM
plants were made, little over a year
afterwards, that a man in Jackson, Tenn,
was working a similar fraud, the govern
ment made a prompt and strict investiga-
ton, which led it to believe that William
Lord Moore had changed the base of his
operations. After Moore's exposure in Lon
don the United States postal authorities had
detained large number OF letters at the
New York poStOffice addressed TO William
Lord Moore, London" Letters received al
the postoffice within a period of thirty or
forty days were opened and found TO con-
tain, in all, from $4,000 to $l1,000. This
showed the immense sum Moore had been
making out of his shrewd work. The post
office Inspectors inquiries at Jackson point
ed to Rev. Mr.. Howard as the sender of the
letters designed TO swindle people on the
same lines as those adopted by Moore in
London. But Mr.. Howard was a man of
influence and OF high standing in church
circles OF the State. The arrest caused q