The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-08
HARVEY BLAIR CAUGHT
THERE rs LITTLE DOUBT That NE
Is IN THE HANDS OF THE Law.
A Description OF the Arrest OF Horace ID.
Baker at Ninciand, n. J.-Past History
Comedies with the Man Known Hero

J. Harvey Blair i as been captured. The
sanctmonious fakir who so smoothly won
the confidence Of the Christian people OF
Richmond, and by his ielig Gus and chari-
table representations succeeded in swind-
ling prominent Christian Endeavor
worker here, and promincat Presbyteri-
an preacher In Petersburg. is believed TO
be In the hands Of the law at last.
Mr.. II. G. Burnett, the cashier Of the
First National Bank who suspected Blair
and made an investigation of his ante
| cedents while here which came very
near causing his capture IS satisfied that
the man who was arrested week ago
at Nineland y. j., IS j. Harvey BAR,
| whose memory Is so peculiarly treasured
| in ltchiHOnd.
Mr.. Burnett. who received the follow
| ing information from Mr. If. -. Forbes
cashier Of the National Bank OF me Re-
pubic, OF Boston, wrote tLdt SehtleIiah
/ that while there wcr- some small DIS
crcpancics in the description of BAR, as
ne remembered him, the characteristics
| described were thorough ldentllcauoh
OF the man, anc lett no doubt In ms
| mind that horace d. Baker ana bar
are one ana the same.
j. Harvey Blair the name which the
! sWiudieT adopted In hChmOnd, came mere
! first IN the spring Of 1897 and made him.
self very agreeable 20 the Good Templars.
| suggesting TO them the plan Tor Dulluln5 Il
| Good Iempars' Hall, and promising 10
/ raise the money TO erect II among Ilch
! TEMPERANCE people IN the North. Ihe pan
and project was published in the papers,
and the Good TemplaIH were glad
WITH THE c. Els.
4 year later ne returned with the pres
tige ne had gained, and made the acqualn-
! lance OF the Christian EndcdyOrers. lie
/ conducted himself in the most exemplary
| manner. showed himself 10 he familiar
| win the methods Of the society, *
hibitod a wonderful knowledge OF me
Bible and took part devouuy IN prayer
! and otherwise IN q number OF ChTlstldh
| EndeayOr prayer meetings and IN every
| way won the confidence Of the society IN
| Richmond lie was man OF good al
| dress, and had q peculiarly sweet smile,
! and mis- appearance and conduct were
| calculated - inspire confidence in all
with whom he came i'm contact.
ON the plea Of making donation OF
| $500 10 forward the spread OF the society
in the State. he induced gentleman %
cash draft and give him the balance
| ia money. by which transaction the gen
teman is out about 500 lie went &.
Petersburg and secured several hundred
! more from minister as above stated
and returning TO this city attempted u
| ulaV MS game upon the Planters N6IOud
| Bank He boarded I'm the same house
| with Mr. Burnett. the cashier or TN
! bank. and paid him some very dchcat
! attention while sick. and in other way
| tried to win his confidence, but Mr.. Bur
nett was suspicious Of the man, and com
| menced a series OF investigations, an'
when Blair tried to cash q draft there
was turned down. and while Mr. Burnet
was telcgraphins to Boston 10 secure
missing link in his evidence against Bla
the fabir took alarm ana escaped the Clty,
His capture has been several times r.
ported. and on one occasion the gentle
man Who Was swindlel by him here tool
a trip % a northwestern city 10 l4enu1.
| ascertai.el that the man In custody va
not Blair.