Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-05-10
A CIRCUS FRAUD HERE.
He Made a Big Blow and Victim
lied Some People.

Pretended to be un Agent OF Coles Circus,
Which is Not Travelling In This Neigh
bnrhuod--Gnye Out Large Contracts and
Got Checks Cashod.
An old bunco game, with variations,
has been worked in Wilmington the
past few days and number Of well
known citizens, according to their own
statements, have been completely taken
in by circus sharper, who turns out to
be an imnostor of the first water. The
mans name is w. II. Robinson, who
represented himself 10 be the advance
agent of w. w. Coles circus and
hippodrome. After contracting NUM-
Der Of bills for supplies and securing all
the money it was possible for him to
obtain, he shook the dust of Wilmington
from his feet, leaving an unpaid board
bill at the Delaware House and a bill
fol horse hire amounting to SO, which
George O. Whiteman will sell AT n dis
count In addition to these small claims,
Proprietor Lerg has one of Rphinson's
|. o. US for 50. while it is said there
are u number Of similar pieces of paper
floating about the city.
Robinson turned up in this city the
day before Forepaugh's circus came to
town. He registered at the Delaware
House and made contract with Pro-
prietor Legg to board 80 men when
Coles circus arrived on May 9TH, to re-
main here three days. He then went
to Whiteman's livery stable, hired a
horse and carriage and drove about the
city. From Murphy Brothers, whose
place Of business is at No. 7l3 Lancaster
avenue, the bogus circus man ordered
nine tons Of hay at $l6.50 per ton, one
ton of bailed straw, several bushels OF
oats and 450 bushels OF shavings to he
spread upon the ground under the
circus tents. The bill amounted to
about $3.50.
At the meat store of Charles L..
Meller, No. 507 King street, Robinson
ordered 1900 pounds of meat to be de-
livered at the circus grounds May 18th,
and for which he agreed to pay the
round sum of 500. The circus man also
rented piece of ground from Isaac 5.
Elliott for consideration of $3.50, and
gave Mr.. Elliott check for that amount.
When the latter put the paper in bank
for collection lie WINS told that it was
worthless. The check was drawn on
one of the Washington banks and
signed by Robinson. He also asked
Mr.. Elliott to cash small check for S.
but the latter wasn't dealing in paper OF
that kind and Robinson's paper in this
instance went begging. lie was more
successful in other cases, however, and
it is said considerable money was
secured In this manner.
Robinson engaged Joseph N. Wheeler,
the Opera House bill-poster, to do the
posting for the circus which never came
Robinson arrived in Wilmington Fri
day, April 9th. When the agent fol
Forepaugh's circus arrived on the fol
lowing day Robinson met him at The
Delaware House and the showmen ex,
changed greetings over the bar. People
about the hostclry noticed the intimacy
of the pair and took it as matter Of
course that Robinson was all right. Hi
had plenty of circus tickets in his'pocke
and wherever he left an order for sup
plies he was always sure to give away
u liberal supply of tickets. They werC
blue pieces of cardboard bearing tn,
name of w. W. Cole and were not dated
Robinson said the circus was showing
in Washington and would be in vii
mingtoh May 18th, 9Th and 9th.
He remained in town from Frida,
until the following Tuesday, upon which
day he assured every one that the ad
vertising car of the circus would b.
here Thursday morning Proprieto
Legg reminded Robinson that his hote
bill was due and that it would be il
order for him to pay the amount at an,
time. Robinson pulled from his poke
check for 1925 and asked Mr.. Legg
he could do anything with it. The latte
replied that he couldn't. Robinson wa
sorry but he assured the hotel man tina
he would come up with the cash in tn
afternoon. He failed to keep his promise
however, and that afternoon he disap
peared as mysteriously as he came.
In the evening number of billposter
turned up ut tie Delaware House, am
according to his instructions the da
clerk sent them 10 Whiteman's liver,
stable where Robinson said he woult
meet them. The billposters waited unit
they grew weary and came to the ca,
clusion that Robinson was fraud. tn
next day people began calling at th
Delaware House, and continued calm
to see Robinson until Proprietor Leg
assumed bored expression and deter
mined to challenge the next man VIII
mentioned Robinson's name. He II
Tented later on and now when any on
asks for the circus man he iefers ther
to one of the many victims for an ex
PLANTATION.
Robinson is described as n heavy
, built man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weigh
, 1850 pounds, dark hair and dark brow
s moustache. He has blue eyes, wore
: gray cutaway coat and vest with stripe
I trousers and derby hat. He is abor
30 years old,