The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-08-29
CASH FOR AN AWARD,
Tho Attempt to Levy Blackmail at
the Worlds Fair,
MRS. HARMON ANSON'S GAME.
Her Demand OF $4,000 for Her ON
clal Influence TO Secure an Award
for an Exhibitor - Commissioner
NBeeson, of Oklahoma Implicated.
How They We're Neatly Caught Up
byR Detective,

How They We're Neatly Caught Up
byR Detective.
WoRLn's FAIR, August 2S,-The sem
sational charges against Commissioners
Mercer, OF Wyoming, and Beeson, OF
Oklahoma, OF corruption was the means
, OF bringing out an unusual number OF
commissioners to-day. Tho members
began to assemble in the corridors OF
the administration building and to dis
cuss the matter pro and con with good
deal OF vigor. All seemed to favor thor
ough Investigations,
Commissioner Mercer is vehement in
mis- denial OF guilt. lie claims to know
nothing about the attempt to squeeze
$4,000 out oiMr, Wolfschmitt, the Rus.
sian whiskey and wine exhibitor, to
ensure him the first premium on his ex-
hibit beyond that which he has read in
the papers, ~ never heard Of Mrs, Har'
mon, he said, until she was intro.
duced to me Saturday In front OF the
agricultural building by Mr.. Beeson.
Mr.. Beeson said she was an old friend
OF his. An hour OF so later | learned
she had been arrested for trying to OBJ
tain money from an exhibitor"
The circumstances OF the scandal are
thus given by the Inter Ocean:
For $4,000 Mrs. u. !. Harmon, alias
Mrs. Harmon Arson, offered to guaran.
tee q Russian exhibitor at the fair q
medal OF the first class and certificate
Of merit. Concerning her ability to
perform all that she promised she re.
ferred to Commissioner OLhniel Bee
son, Of Oklahoma, and q commissioner
from Wyoming. The consequence was
the arrest Of Mrs. Harmon and severe
attack Of nervousness for Mr. Beeson.
The story as told does anything but
credit to the gentlemen from Oklahoma
and Wyoming, and shows the woman
to be more shrewd than scrupulous.
About ten days ago JAcq. Wander.
steen, who is in charge OF the exhibit
made in the Russian section OF the agri-
cultural department by A. Wolf
schmidt, was approached by Beeson.
The latter said he was member OF the
national commission, and then, after
complimentary the exhibit, said it
would be shame to mics an award
when little money weuld make such q
disaster. Herr Yandersteen under.
stood the ihsinuation, but, not caring
to offend an official, made an answer
that might be interpreted in almost any
manner.
MRS. HARMON APPEARS.
A few days later Mrs. Harmon, who
lisa most shapely woman of aboutthlrty
years, put in an appearance. She
talked Familiarity OF exposition officials
and her ability to do her friends good
turns. Finally she came out with flat.
footed proposition to secure the award
and certificate for $4,000 Anappoint-
ment was made for her to meet Mr..
Vandersteen's partner at II o'clock Sat
urday morning.
At the appointed time the woman
was on hand. but for some reason u
postponement Of the meeting was ar.
ranged until o'clock. Promptly at the
hour again, Mrs. Harmon appeared at
the Wolf-Schmidt exhibit and inquired
for the gentleman with whom she had
had the conversation during the morn
ING. She was informed that he was alb
sent Just then, but would return in u
short time. She amused herself look.
ing at the neighboring exhibits, oc.
casionally walking as far as the main
entrance at the west end OF the build
ing. Her manner indicated that she
was expecting some one to meet her
there. Pretty soon Commissioner
Beeson came up and took station near
the door. When Mrs. Harmon came up
to the entrance again she noticed the
commissioner and walked briskly up to
him and held quite long conversation
with him. After this she walked over
to take look Mt tho performances in
tho lagoon, and Mr.. Beeson apparently
took up the job OF waiting for the gem
tleman who was to make arrangements
for paying over the $4,000. He seemed
rather restless and uneasy, and amused
himself walking around the exhibit.
He finally went away and joined Mrs.
Harmon, who soon came back and took
up the tiresome job OF waiting
WANTED AN IMMEDIATE ANewER.
The delay was to secure the right
person to impersonste Mr. Wander.
stems partner. A. schickedantz. OF the
Free Press, was accepted, and the meet.
ing took place.
Mrs. Harmon was introduced TO Mr..
schickedantz and told that he had the
money and could make what arrange
ments he pleased. The woman at once
jumped into the business and said she
had to have an immediate answer to
her proposition to secure the medal
and certificate.
GLOW much must l pay for your
kindness2" Mr.. SchlckodanE asked.
"Well, 1t Is worth $4,000" she re.
Piled. " could not do 1t for less, and |
must have cash-no check"
"But how do l know you can do what
you say you can" asked the supposed
exhibitor.
~ will bring you two commissioners
who will give YOU tho assurance you
ask. VIII that answer tho purpose 2"
Mr.. Schickedantz thought it would
and tho woman proceeded to find her
friends. Directly che returned with
Mr.. Beeson, who was introduced as
Commissioner Brlce, OF Oregon, nat.
ional commissioner.
After a desultory conversation Mr.
Beoson departed only to return In few