The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-24
A Schrewd Swindler.

on Monday morning when 1t was noIsed
around that L. W. Edwards, the young law
yer who came here last week, bad left without
saying good-by to his newly made Sumter
friends, whom he had shrewdly swindled out
of $685.. 90. Edwards had departed taking
wife aud child and a pair Of black horses and
q new buggy which he had bsrgained to buy
from Mr. ". j. McKain. Later in the day
it was learned that Edwards had gone to
Camden aud was then in that place. Str.
McKain swore out warrant before Trial
Justice Manning, and together with Sheriff
Sanders and Mr. r. o. Purdy set ont imme.
diassfy for Camdan, Sheriff Sanders having
6rst sent telegram to the Sheriff of Kershsw
to hold Edwards until bis arrival.
During the day while awaiting news from
Camden, the story of Edwards operations
was told and retold on every side. Stripped
Of ail details the facts are rs follows:
l.. W Edwards, accompanied by wife and
child, came to this city about ten days ago
and engaged board at Mrs. e. C.. Green's.
Hesecured az Office in the Masonic Temple,
aud announced that he bad located here for
the practice of the law. He defended n. D.
Wheeler in the blind tiger case, aud upon
conviction appealed to the higher court. 3D.
wards is rather tall and erect man Of ab0nt
30 years, clean shsven and carries himself
with considerable dash. His manners were
pleasant aud exceedingly plsusible-so say
fhoss who had dealings with bin. He was
not long 10 renewing his acquaintance with
several gentlemen of this city who were at
school with him, and then be began to get in
his work
He made one or two small purchases from
Caitino 4 Delgar, paying cash. The next
day be made other purchases aud gave in pay
ment check on the Loan and Exchange
Bank Of Charleston, telliog them that be had
money deposited there and had not had time
to have It transferred to the hank here. The
check was accepted and be vas given the DIFF
ference in cash. Other merchants were vic.
timised III the same manner Mr. L. s. Car.
son easheda check for$3O Mt. Robt Delgar
identi6ed him at the Bank of Sumter, end en-
ilorsed check for $50. On SATURDAY he
purchased pair Of horses and buggy from
Nr. Wiley acKain giving him . check Of
$3.50 la payment. The horses were to be scfi
at Mr. SeKsin' q stable until the check could
be collected. Sunday morning be took the
horses out to drive his wife around the city.
When he did not return Nr. McKain began to
get uneasy. Monday morning telegram was
sent 70 the Ghariestoa Bank inqaifing cou-
cerning Edwards. The reply stated that be
had 20 account there. This satisfied everyone
that they had been duped The checks have
been ret0rued.
Whea Edwards reached Camden on Sunday
he stopped 81 the Latham House. On Monday
be sold the team to Nr. George Little for
$40. Soen after the sale yas made Sheriff
Sanders teiegram Ras received in Camden
The Sheriff looked Edwards up, bat he coolly
refused 10 be arrested wiihcat the warrant,
and denied each and every charge. He was,
however, kept under espoinsge all day, but
Just after dark and q short while before
Sheriff Sanders and McKain arrived, he suc-
ceeded ia slipping ont of town, leaving his
wife and child. Yesterday morning it was
learned that be had made bis way on
foot to the town of Kershaw. There he was
arrested, and be was brought back to this
city under arrest on the evening train. His
wife and child accompanied him.
Mr. AcKain recovered his team without
loss to himself or Mr.. Little, the $40 being
recovered from Edwards.
After reaching here last night Edwards de-
clared bis intention to settle up all accounts
against him. The swindled persons presented
their claims and be allowed them all. He
then made draft for the whole amount on
Mrs. Mary C.. Rion, of Winnsboro, and got
his wife to sign it. The writer understands
that she did 90 with reluctance, aud conveyed
the impression to those present that the draft
would not be cashed A telegraphic reply has
been received from Winnsboro saying the
draft would not be honored.
This being completed, Edwards was placed
in Jail to spend the night. Mrs. Edwards
and child went from the depot to Mrs. Green's
where they still are
Edwards belongs to good family and was
raised in Walterboro. Both his father and
mother we're known to number Of people
here. His wife is daughter of the late Col.
Jas. n. Rion, Of Winnsboro. Edwards is
said to be q regular blsck-sheep and has
been in other scrapes. He has recently COM
ple,ed term in prison for forging. He
merits and should receive punishment to the
extent Of the law, but no one can fail TO sym.
pathize with and pity his wife and child, the
little girl in particular. 1t was sad spectacle
yesterday evening when the party got of the
train, Edwards, the prisoner, the Deputy
Sheriff on one side, his wife on the other, and
the little girl, apparently about Eve years
old walking ahead, bunch of flowers in her
hands, seemingly unconscious of the meaning
Of the scene, and then the eager, pusbi6g
crowd Of curiosity.drawn people surrounding
them on all sides. What memory for after
Years for that chlld!