Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-24
had been gulled and expressing willing ness to tell the writer the whole story.
 A UIaTT TO THE HOME.

A
 Yesterday afternoon the writer, accom-. . panied by Mir. Eugene Enslen, cashier of the Jefferson County Savings bank, went to the home of Mir. and Mrs. Dobbns 10 make full investigation of the case. They were met at the cottage door by Mrs. Dob- bins, who informed them that her husband was in the city consulting with the chief of police in regard to his great loss. The banker and newspaper man were invited to seats in a cosy sitting room of delight fully comfortable little home to await the return of Mir. Dobbins. Mrs. Dobbins Is quite an intelligent woman: her face beam ing with good common sense. She was in deep distress, but perfectly willing to tell all she knew of the outrageous swindle which had been perpetrated on her hus- band and his family.
 NEPHEW THOMPSON.
 Mrs. Dobbins says that on Monday last about noon a man calling himself Thomp- son came to their home and inquired if that was where William Dobbins lived. Re- ceiving an affirmative answer he added that he had an uncle by that name, and was in search of him, but on looking well at MT. Dobbins said he did not believe he was the man. The two talked for some time aud finally seemed to rake up kinship. The stranger was made to take comfortable seat, and the two men chatted for long time, MT. Dobbins seeming to be much h. terested in his nephew. After some time
  to return again, and saying that he had 10 go to Montgomery to look after some prop erty be owned there and to see other rela- tives.
 COMES AGAIN.
 On Wednesday Thompson again returned to the Dobbins home, reaching there carly in the morning and taking breakfast with the family.
 Ia the midst of the table conversation he said to Mrs. Dobbins: ''l have something grand to show you today,' but refused to say what it was. He then asked her if she had ever seen hundred dollar bill. She answered, "Yes, good many.' He ex- hibited a purse well filled with crisp bills and gold coin, several hundred dollars in different denominations. After breakfast MT. Dobbins and the stranger left the house together for the city in MT. Dobbins' wagon.
 MIR. DoBBINs TALKS.
 While in conversation with Mrs. Dob- bins her husband returned home and spoke pleasantly to the scribe and banker. He entered the room smiling, but there WAS something on his countenance that showed he was feeling his loss. Upon being in- formed of the object of our visit MT. Dob- bins handed out the letter, of which the above is an exact copy. He said: "Yes, have been swindled ont of 5000 hard earned dollars, and am now willing to tell all about it, that others may be warned.'' Tears fell from the old mans eyes as he related the story. He repeated all that his wife bad said, and further that this was the way in which he was handled by three sharks:
 'sOn Wednesday morning was told by this man Thompson that in 8 strip of woods on the road between Village creek and Vanderbilt furnace there was
 AN INDIAN ENcAuPED,
 who had in his possession two gold bricks worth s2o, 1000, and that he (Thompson) could purchase them at the insig gnificant sum of $6O0O, II he could only get that much cash money. Upon his invitation drove out there, accompanied by Thomp- son, in my wagon. Upon reaching the designated place saw an Indian dancing in wild manner, apparently frightened at my approach. Thompson warned me to stop and let him go to the savage and get the bricks. He brought them to me. 1 examined them and was almost assured they were genuine, but insisted that they should be tested. To this Thompson ex- pressed willingness. He and the Indian conversed in Indian language. l knew it was the lingo of the red man, for l have been among them in the west-among the Utes, the Snakes and other tribes; yet 1 could understand nothing they said. It was agreed that we should return 10 the city and obtain the services of an assayer- the Indian refusing to allow the brick to be brought in. We came back to town and inquired of several jewellers if they would make a test of gold for us. None would agree 10 do so. Thompson finally came out of store aud handed me card, saying the jeweler had given 1t to him. IL read, "-- Stoner, United States Assayer, Florence Hotel.o 1 read it and i've pro- ceeded to the Florence, where we were di- rected to the room of one by that name. We entered and were received by pleas ant looking, tall, sandy moustache, clean shaven man, with teeth lapped and most pleasant address. He stated that he was
 A UNITED STATES AssAYISr from New Orleans, and was now away from his post on holiday trip. He agreed to go out with us and make a test of the gold. Going to Fies & Sons stable he hired horse and buggy, and following Thompson and myself, in my wagon, we returned to the Indian's camping place on Village creek. The bricks were brought out again and the asayist took an instrument and bored holes in each, expressing be- lief that they were pure, but stating that he would have to make chemical test. So we all came back to the Florence hotel, and there the test was made of the dust. This assayist offered S5 for the dust alone, stating that his fee was F and giving sS to be divided between Thompson, the In. dian and myself. Then NC parted, 1 going to my home and agreeing to meet Thomp- son there on Thursday morning.
 HIS WIFE PROTESTS.
 "My good wife was asked by me for her opinion of the matter, and she warned me not to do 80 foolish a thing, that was old and our little children were to be raised. For one time in our married lifeI paid DO attention to her entreaties (aud here tears flowed freely from the old mans eyes), but thought I was doing something for the good of the little ones. l demanded that she hand me my certificate of deposit for SIP 1000, and she hesitatingly did so. Thompson came in and told us not to talk about the matter, but to keep quiet, as the Indian might get hold of it and leave. My wife told me to talk to Mr. Ensleu abous it, but Thompson said it would never do, that the brick should be brought here to my house for safe keeping.
 THoMP5oN SHEDS TEARS.