The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-17
SAINTS NEW FRIEND
TRUE STORY OF THE RECENT At
TEMPTED sWINDLE.
Stranger with a Letter Signed ID. w.
Voorhees, Works Into the POST
masters Good Graces.

A well dressed stranger appeared in the
city last week with letter of introduce
ton to Postmaster Sahm. purporting to be
from Senator Voorhees, and upon the
strength of 1t purchased over $1,000 worth
of goods and came near borrowing large
sums of money from a number of the
friends of Mr.. Sahm. 1t is limited that he
did succeed in borrowing some small sums,
but all who met the tranger deny hay
ing made any loans to him. The friends
OF Mr.. Sahn have been "guying' him ever
since the stranger left, for Mr.. Sahm
showed the man a great deal of attention
and furnished him with letters to num-
Der of business men of the city.
1t was last Thursday morning that the
stranger walked into the postmasters office
and presented a letter purporting to bear
the signature of Senator Voorhees,, in which
the Senator was supposed to introduce Mr..
j. FL. Richardson, of Leadville. Col, and
IN which the Senator was supposed to say
that ANY favors shown Mr.. Richardson
will be greatly appreciated by your obed-
lent servant" OF course Mr.. Sahm felt
duty bound to show Mr.. Richardson great
deal of respect and he spent one whole
day with him, introducing him to his
friends. Mr.. Richardson said he was here
purchasing furniture for clubhouse to
the West. Mr.. Richardson complimented
Indianapolis. saying it was known in the
far West as the leading furniture center
of the United States. Furniture was what
Mr. Richardson wished to purchase and
he took. Mr.. sal1m felt pleased for he is
that line The result Of the letter from
Mr. Sahm was that the stranger bought
s1.0s5 worth of club furniture. Mr. Rich
it out and left orders that it be prepared
for shipment. The furniture was not all
being visited. 1t is said, however, that Mr.
SahmS former firm. the Otto Stechan COM
pany. obtained fair, share of the orders.
When Mr.. Sahm could not accompany Mr.
Richardson he furnished him with letters
saying he was highly recommended by Sem
son went he impressed people with his
wealth., fourished checks and talked about
money grows on the trees in the State
from which he claimed to hail.
Mr.. Richardson said he wished to purchase
some cut-glass for the Leadville clubhouse,
and asked Mr. Sahm to introduce him to
reliable firm from which to purchase. Mr..
Sahm could not accompany MIR. Richardson,
but he wrote a very nice letter to Pierson
Richardson wanted to pay cash for every
thing purchased. Any firm would be glad
ry Wetzel was presented with the letter
of introduction, he showed Mr.. Richardson
Saturday showing him his stock. Mr..
Richardson spent the forenoon looking at
in the afternoon made his selections, choos a
Ing several hundred dollars worth of the
took Mr. Richardson out to dinner and late
in the afternoon took a walk with him. AS
the two men passed the window of Tanner
G sullivan Richardson exclaimed:
The MAI MAN fro Ieadvf fe Was sheWn
a ri -fiyn- G01Io oil
surprise he said:
Just think how they bleed us out West
article, and here 1 can get it for less than
half that amount; 1t paid me to come, I
pay for 1t Monday morning"
Richardson made the same statements re-
ard ha9 payments s sr to other persons Of whom
believed he had found a good customer until
by the way ssa Mr. NV Wet sdagn Want to go
out to see the town. tonight. Mr.. Wetzel
advised him to remain at his hotel, but the
man mar from Leadville only winked and said:
The Western men could get along' Then
Richardson took from his pocket deposit
memorandum from Fletcher's Bank and
4 wish you would put that in your safe
for me until Monday morning. it is val
liable, and represents what / brought here
with me- | placed it in a safety vault is
coming and he laughed i saying " the slip slip
was worthless, as it did not represent any
sBut keep it for me-" continued Richard
son, and, by the way, couldn't you let me
have a loan until Monday. / will be all
with me- W 0'' nave ou' -
How much?' asked Mr.. wetzel. with no
Make It fifty, said sale '' Richardson as if
confident the money would be forthcoming.
- am very sorry but l have no money
afternoon" said Mr.. Wetzel.
Here's check on a. well-known business
man for SIS which perhaps you could have
cashed for me-" said Richardson apparently
not daunted.
II could not cash it now" replied Mr..
Wetzel looking into his cash drawer for
Perhaps some of your friends on the
sThere is no money on the street." re-
II you'll wait q minute mir 1 win eaIi Up the
Never mind said Richardson, Il won't
| put you to any trouble. Perhaps / can worry
| along on seven dollars" Richardson babe
| Mr.. Wetzel good day and he has not been
Mr. Wetzel Immediately called up Mr..
| Sahm by telephone and asked what kind
| to him. Mr.. Sahm was alarmed lest his let
| ters of introduction had got some of his
nnne search ne wa made f for
| Richardson, but he could not be found. 1t
| is thought that he intended to make extern
| sive purchases and then borrow money
| them, but Mr.. Wetzel evidently took him
| by surprise and his plans were foiled. Mr..
| Wetzel declares that he is out nothing
| more than a days hard work. Other firms
| say that they lost nothing, but 1T is said
| that Richardson succeeded in borrowing
| small sums from chance acquaintance upon
! the strength of his acquaintance with Sena-
! tor Voorhees,. To the police he is described
| as well appearing man of excellent adj
| dress. The goods. which he selected. await
! orders for shipment to Leadville and if the
/ club out there wants to get their home
! fitted in the future from the Indanap-
| oils market it must send sufficient sum
70 for fna de col fad Inv II.
| Richardson. The selections which he made
| are excellent.