Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-15
A CLEVER SWINpLE.

Stntes--IIe Also Worked yety Success
fully In This City for Awhile--His Pans
and the Proof of Ills Fraudulent Prnc-
tices.
A big swindle is being successfully
worked upon number of substantial
citizens of Wilmington, and may ex-
tend to other parts of the State unless
promptly checked by timely warning,
The name of the swindler is George A.
Mebane, of Elizabeth City, North Caro-
lima, who has been canyassing through
the Northern States collecting money
for an alleged institution for colored
people In the South, which exists only
in the imagination of this arch-swindler
from North Carolina.
The GAZETTE has ample proof of
Mechanics rascality and is fully prepared
to show that the newcomer is fraud OF
the first water. He has been carrying
on q systematic bunco game for period
of four years, and the charge is made
that he has collected large sums of
money from benevolent citizens in many
Of the Northern States, under the pre-
text that the money was for the better
ment of the colored race, and which
money he invariably appropriated to his
own use.
Mnbane has represented himself as
principal and agent of large and flour
ishing normal schools and educational
enterprises in Elizabeth City, N. O.;
North Carolina Educational Association;
Elizabeth City Normal School, and
Elizabeth City Normal and Industrial
Institute. AS matter Of fact, no such
institutions ever existed. There was a
temporary night school opened five
months ago in school building belong
ing to the Roanoke Missionary Baptist
Association, and primary day school
conducted in Elizabeth City three years
ago by John II. Butler, who claimed to
be an assistant of Mebane. This insti-
tuition subsequently collapsed.
Mebane is charged with using the
above schools as pretext to induce the
charitable people OF the North to con-
tribute to the education of the colored
race in the South, and continues TO col
lect funds for such purposes, by misrep-
reservations, showing on paper an en-
rolment of great, number of students,
also the names of persons as instructors
and members Of the faculty OF the
fraudulent institutions.
HIS APPEARANCE HERE.
Mebane first made his appearance in
Delaware about two weeks ago, having
successfully operated in various other
States 1t is claimed without meeting with
the least interference on the part Of the
authorities. When he arrived in Will
mington, February Goth, he lost no time
in introducing himself TO the most sub
stqntial citizens here and his recommen-
dations and credentials so favoTably i'm
pressed benevolent residents that Me-
bane had very little difficulty in securing
from them liberal donations Of money.
He saw Bishop Coleman at his resi-.
dence, Bishopstead, and produced
letters of recommendation from Edward
Everett Hale, President Elliott Of Har-
ward University, and from many other
men of lcttes in Boston and Cambridge,
Mass. In fact, 1t would seem that he
had made thorough canvass among
the leading public citizens in the East
and thoroughly convinced them that
his enterprise was worthy of their sup
port.
His career in the lower house of the
North Carolina Legislature brought him
into connection with people of promi-
nence, and no one doubted the honesty
of his campaign in the interest of his
race.
Mebane called upon Henry G. Conrad
| at his law office on Market street and
informed the latter of his identity with
charitable work. His recommendations
secured him the attention of Mr.. Conrad
and Bishop Coleman, both of whom
recommended the enterprise in which
be was interested.
One public spirited citizen in particu.
lar was honored by visit from Mebane
apd rewarded his movement in behalf
Of the colored people in the South by O
liberal pecuniary donation.
Previous 10 making the donation
however, the citizen above referred tc
made inquiry of another we'll -knowr
resident III regard to Mebane and wa.
Informed that he was all right. He has
since learned of the mans rascality.
Mebane called upon number of per
sons whose broad charity would moi
permit his efforts to 60 unrewarded and
the result was the appropriation for the
bogus institution was swelled to con
siderable proportions. II is believed thai
Mebane has since been at work in othei
parts Of the State and that he has me-
with equal success elsewhere.
The other day James r. Winchester
president of the First National Bank
was approached by a person claiming
to be engaged in similar educationa
work in the South, and Mr.. Winchester
gave him a small cash consideration anC
the man took his departure. The same
man secured money from Lawyers II
Ii. Ward and Hugh G. Brown, both o.
whom believed that lie was engaged il
legitimate enterprise. He called at tn,
office Of the New Castle Mutual Insur
ance Company, but was unsuccessful il
finding Mr.. Cleaver, and reluctant,
withdrew. The above are few of thu
many cases that have been recent,
heard of.
, Mebane is man past middle age, i
: fully six feet in height, and of respect
} able appearance. His intelligence i
: ABOVE the average for member of hi
> race, and he has succeeded in enlistin,
the attention of public-spirited citizen
5 wherever he went, and getting the sup
port OF many of the leading men in til
1 country in the educational movement.
t AS far as learned no public exposur
c has ever been made Of Mechanics caree
D OF fraud, and he seems TO have had al
a uninterrupted campaign for severa
: years. He has letter from Samuel L
Sheep, principal of the Elizabeth Cit
Academy of North Carolina, which h
obtained at the outset because of til
q apparent truthfulhess of his represents
I tons. This letter has since been re
+ called.
r A number of well-known colored res
! deuts of Elizabeth City, N. c., denounc
the operations Of Mebane in the follow
= ing terms;
$ In behalf of the colored residents of tn
Q city, and as protection to the benevoler