davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
BUNCOED AGAIN.
Gave the Ohio Detective $500
To Recover as Much as Possible
of the Lost $4,000.

Another Chapter i'm the Dcnnison Da-
Wis Case at Putney---the Detective
'Fence" as Discovered at Dover, N.
H.---How the Same Gang Got Left in
Attempting to Work BrattIeboro
Man.
"New phase of an ancient but still sue
cessful swindle' was the heading of an ex-
tended article in the Boston Herald of last
Friday, which showed how a detective in
Ohio acts as a "fence" to help buncoers
The case in point was at Rolinsford n.
H., near Dover, where Farmer Gage drew
$1,000 from the bank and handed it over to
buncoers who gave him as security two
gold bricks alleged to be worth $4,000,
but which would bring $3.50 at a brass
foundry. A short time after the farmer
found out that he had been swindled he re-
ceived propositions from an alleged detect
i've in Ohio, who must first have 5000 for
expenses, and promise of half the amount
of the money returned, expenses in secur-
ing the money to be deducted. The county
officers at Dover suspected the scheme, and
an attempt was made to get the Ohio ode
tective'' to come to Dover, but he was evil
IDENTIFY suspicious. The Herald article
tends to show that the plan would have
worked this way: "The sum secured was
$1,000. Probably $4,000 would be returned.
OF this $500 was first advanced, and then
the subsequent expenses would very likely
amount to 500 or Whereabouts. This
would leave S230O going to the guileless
farmer. OF this amount the detective gets
$3.50. and the farmer the same. while the
swindlers for their sharp work receive
$500, possibly part of the expenses and
certainly immunity from prosecution
The detective sent to Dover photographs
of six men, three of whom were at once
recognized as the ones who did the Job
there, and their signatures were identical
with signatures left by the men in that city
The detective claimed that he could easily
secure the arrest of the men.
The Herald continues: THE work of
the gold brick fence is the new end of the
Dover case. The officers in the East have
always had good reasons for supposing
such a person existed, but he never came
to light in person until an attempt was
made to settle the case of Farmer Gage of
Rolinsford. Probably a dozen cases sim
liar to this have been settled through him
in New England.
"He makes a good fence for the sharp
ers, because he is thoroughly versed in the
law, and his appearance is always in his
favor. His letterheads and carefully ar
ranged and sworn-to testimonials also carry
great weight when he sends them to states
or towns where his reputation i unknown.
He never, however, tries to settle a case in
Ohio; the police in that commonwealth
know him too well. The associates of
Mr.. Allan Pinkerton's detective agency
are also well acquainted with the man"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

this man. The detI ytive said that the sd
called agent was sii1ply looking over th4
ground. A detective who is in Maine has
written Mr.. Davis about a man who twice
applied to him last summer for work.
Soon after the detective left the second
time Mr.. Davis received one letter from
him. Later when news came of the detect
ives arrest in Virginia Mr.. Davis wrote to
the postmaster in the Ohio city where the
detective lived, and the reply was that the
detective was a man of great success in his
work, and what he could not ferret out was
not worth while for anybody else to try.
He further said that the detective had been
in jail several times, simply for the pur-
pose of accomplishing his ends.
When the detective left here the second
time it was understood that he had his
scheme down so fine that he expected to
arrest his men in New York city or Brook
Ign on Thanksgiving day, when they were
to meet there at the house of a sister of
one of them, whose husband was also en-
gagged in crooked work.
Mr.. Davis has heard nothing from the de-
tective for five months. He has about
come to the conclusion that his $500 sim
ply went chasing the $4,000 There is no
doubt that the buncoers who were near
Dover are the same ones who victimized
Mr.. Davis, as he recognizes one of them
from the portrait in the Boston Herald.
There is also no question but what the de-
tective whom the Herald calls "a fence is
the one who took Mr.. Davis's 500. Pos
sblY the detective started in with the idea
of such a settlement as is outlined at
Dover, but concluded that it was better to
make a direct grab of $500.
Mr.. Davis remembers now that on the
day he came to Brattleboro with the bun
coer he "felt queer" and may not have
been lust right" One of the buncoers is
known as the hypnotic talker, and it is pos
sible that hyplotism played a part in the
game.
The buncoers who We're at Putney are
evidently versatile in their little games.
They tried the gold brick swindle at Will
Jamestown, Mass, the week before they
came here. They were also in Brattleboro
in July, six weeks before they buncoed Mr.
Davis. At that time they tried a game
which didn't work.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
Notice.

FTNHE stockholders of the Brattleboro & White
L hall railroad company are hereby notified
TO meet at the Brooks House in Brattleboro, Vt.
on Saturday, May %. 1895, at 1880 A. NJ, TO act
upon the following business:
LIST. To choose a clerk for the ensuing year
"a. To choose board of directors for the en-
suing year
Sd. To transact any other business that may
lawfully be done
Stockholders will be carried free to and from
Brattleboro on the day of the annual meeting by
presenting their stock certificates to the con
ductor. JAMES L. MARTIN,
Clerk Brattleboro & Whitehall Railroad Co
Brattleboro, Vt, May Z, 1895.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
STATE or VERMONT. Marlhoro ss

y By the Probate Court for said District.
To all persons interested in the estate of
WILLIAM THOMAS, late of Bmttleboro, in
said district, deceased, Greeting
You are hereby notified that this court will de-
eide upon the allowance of the account of E l.
Waterman, administrator of the last will of VII.
deceased, and decree distribution thereof TO the
persons entitled thereto, at the session thereof
10 be held at the Probate Office in Brattleboro
IN said district on the last Saturday of NAV
A. d. 1885, when and where you may be heard in
the premises, if you see cause
10 Z, W. STODDARD Register
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
.OMMIssIONERs NOTICr.

~ ESTATE OF JESSE E. WORDEN
honorable Probate Court for the district of Mari
4Oro commissioners TO receive, examine and ad
us az tIalihS and demands Of all persons against
Ton Ion IN SAID district, deceased and all claims ex
Ho , IN offset thereto, hereby give notice that
dwelling house of the late Jesse p WorSa S 'll 1
tne SIst day Of May and the oath day of Septem-
~ next from O'Clock until O'Clock P. NJ each
uay OF April, 1895, is the time limited nv said
UouIt Tor SAID creditors TO present their claims to
US LOT examination and allowance.
1895 '"is @''n uay OF April,
S. n. BENIIS,
is y. L. F. KENNETH Commissioners
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
STATE or VERMONT. Mainland Isl

~ The Probate Court for Said District
- 10 all persons interested in the estate of HEN
deceased. crasti,r w.
Whereas, Fanny S. Eager and Walter W, Eager
executors or the last will of Henry C. Eager late
thslr petition IN this court setting forth that the
safe OF the whole of the real estate of said de
leased VIII be beneficial and advantageous TO
the devsees and all persons Interested tbe,ai,,
and praying for license TO sell the same according
70 ihe provisions of said will, Whereupon il &
oIHSreu lhat the same be heard at the session of
said court to be held at the Probate Ofi3ca in
Brattleboro, on the last Saturday of Nav ISa5
When and where you may be heard in the prenn
lses If you see cause. F-
Is E W. STODDARD Rac;s+ar
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

~ D -.
= By the Probate Court for said District
To all persons interested in the estate of
JAMES II. FRANKLIN, late of Guilford. in
said district deceased Greeting
Whereas Emma r. Franklin has presented to
TINS Court an instrument purporting to be the last
will of said deceased for probate: You are hereby
notified that this Court will decide upon the pro
bate of said instrument at the session thereof to
be held at the Probate Office in Brattleboro, in
said District, on the last Saturday of May, A d.
1895, when and where you may appear and con
test the same. if you see cause.
10 T. w. STODDARD REGISTER
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

The Ohio detective came to putney Oct.
%. He secured a man to accompany him
to Mr.. Davis's house, but they met Mr..
Davis, who was coming to the village
The detective got out and announced his
business. He showed collection of pic
lures and Mr.. Davis at once recognized
two of them as the men who buncoed him.
The detective went from Putney to Wal
pole, where the liverymen there identified
the two men as the ones who hired a team
and did not return it, driving to Winchen-
don, Mass, and leaving it there. The fol-
lowing day the detective returned to Put
ney. He wished to make a contract with
Mr.. Davis, and the latter came to Brattle-
boro and consulted with lawyer and a
prominent business man, both of whom
thought it would be safe to advance the
money to the detective. The contract was
in substance that Mr.. Davis was to advance
$500 to defray expenses, and anything
needed above that sum was to be paid by
the detective. In case the money stolen
from Mr.. Davis by the buncOers or part
of it was recovered Mr.. Davis and the de-
tective were to divide what was left. The
contract was typewriter, and read origin
ally 5000, as did the ones sent to Dover, \.
H., but the 5000 was.crossed out and $500
written in with pen.
The detective returned in a few weeks,
telegraphing to Mr.. Davis to meet him at
the Brooks House. He claimed that he
had located the men wanted, and that he
was in this state to secure the necessary
papers for bringing them here. He said that
he could not get a requisition to bring them
from New York to Vermont easily, and
was therefore to arrest the men, take them
to Ohio on charge in that state and from
there bring them to Vermont. The detec-
tive was well versed in law. He said he
had twice arrested the men who were at
Putney, but they had been released upon
making satisfactory settlements.
The first time that he called on Mr.. Da-
Wis the detective asked if a feshy man
working for an agricultural paper had not
been at his house about six weeks before
the buncoer came. Mr.. Davis remembered
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

Leon Johnson's wound was redressed for
the first time Wednesday. There was a
slight discharge of bloody pus, but not
withstanding this the boys temperature
and pulse were normal. The swelling
about the wound has noticeably diminished
since Sunday. There is still much tender
ness on pressure all over the swollen area,
which involves the greater part of the left
side of the face. The tenderness seems
markedly greater at a point just below the
eye. While DR.. Brigham is of the opinion
that the boy will recover, yet the case is
sufficiently serious to warrant no more
than a guarded prognosis.
The bullet entered the tleshy part of the
cheek about an inch and a half back of
and little above the corner of the mouth.
Instead of passing through the cheek and
into the mouth, as one might expect from
its external appearance, it took an oblique
upward course, penetrating the bone for
some distance. A probe can readily be
passed into the wound distance of two
and quarter inches. The bullet probably
penetrated the outer wall of the large cav
ity in the maXillary bone called the antrum
of highmore, then impinging upon the
bony wall between it and the nasal cham
bers, causing a free flow off blood anterior
ally and posteriorally into the throat. A
large quantity of blood must have been
swallowed as is proved from the amount
vomited
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
Investments

The panic Of 1895 is over
the depression of 1894 a hing
of the past.
The new year has promise of
better times and with conf
dence restored they are sure to
come.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
Listers Notice.

M Il hereby give notice that we have this day
w lodged in the town clerks office an ali
stract of the individual list of the tax payers of
the town of Brattleboro for 1895, and we Will be
in session at the town hall, room 5, Saturday,
May is, 1898, TO hear all who NAV feel
aggrieved, and 10 correct any errors. All tax.
payers should see that their lists are correct
JOHN S. CUTTING,
AZOR MARSHALL
H. b. CHAMBERLAIN, Listers.
WILLIAM c. HORTON,
E. ID. WHITNEY,
BTattleboro, Vt May 6, 1895. 1870
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
Are You Married 2

I F not, are you contemplating marriageg You
Il may think it none of our business but the
truth of 1t is We have such very large stock of
housekeeping Goods that We thoughtit time that
somebody married that we might sell even more
than we have been selling in the past. Just come
in some day and you can both of you look the
goods over and decide what you are likely 10
need. Early in the morning is the best time as
we have fewer customers and can attend to YOU
better. OF course we will serve you whenever
you come, but the morning is the best time. We
have recently furnished a party with a complete
outfit for housekeeping in our line of goods and
We keep almost everything, and can order for
you whatever things you want that we do not
have In stock. As to the prices, everyone knows
our prices are always lower than other dealers
have for the same goods. s. WILCOX-New
York Bargain Store, 40 Main ST.. Brattleboro Vt (:
also Columbus Building, Federal ST., Greenfield,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
CTATE on YRRMnNr. Mnrlhoro Ii

- By the Probate Court for Said District
10 all persons interested in the estate of CAL
WIN j: WELD late Of Bratteboro, in said dis
trct, deceased, Creeting
You are hereby notified that this court will de.
eide upon the allowance of the account of Seth
\. Herrck: Administrator upon the estate of
Gavin j. Weld late Of Brattleboro, in said dis
uict, deceased, and decree distribution thereof
TO the persons entitled thereto at the session
Thereof TO be held at the Probate Office in Brat
May, \. D. 1895, when and where YOU NAV
be heard in the premises, if you see cause.
- E. W. STODDARD, Register
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

The buncoing of Dennison Davis of Put
ney out of $4,000 last September and the
burning of his barn are events too fresh in
the public mind to be more than recalled
In this case Mr.. Davis secured-money from
the Vermont national bank for the pur-
chase of farm which he and civilian
Bunco" were to sell Immediately at hand
some advance to an acquaintance which
the willy William had in Keene. The
money was either taken from Mr.. Davis on
the road between Brattleboro and Putney,
or from his house, which was entered two
or three nights later when his barn was
burned. Twice during last fall and early
winter detective was here to consult with
Mr. Davis in regard to the recovery of the
money or the arrest of the buncoers. Re
memhsring this it was suspected that the
game which the Boston Herald revealed
was tried on Mr.. Davis. An investigation
shows that it was, with variations.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
NOMNIIssIONERs, Nnrrcr

Il ySf,,- rvs NOIACE.
NTh. ,,,,, ESIAIE OF BETHUEL RANGER
11 ne uihHeTslgned hav ing been appointed by the
honoraole Probate Court for the District of Mari
i 4UIp commissioners TO receive examine and id
against the estate of Bethuel RanSsr fats ns
65raItleooro, IN said district, deceased. and All
G Do,i exhibited in offset thereto, hereby give
az the Vermont National Bank on he Sstb deS- f
~ %ay ana the 22d day of August next, from
ana 1io that pnt o'clock P n, each of said DAYS
anu tnst SIX months from the I'D day of FebfyI.
sIy 1873, is the time limited by said court for
examination and allowance ''Ais W US lot
Dated at Brattleboro. this eath da, 90 All,
A. D. 1895 ' SUN uay OF April,
20 GEO. e. AYERIL, lCo.,u,,.-,-
10 A, Q. DAVENPORT, commissioners
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
CTATE on VERMONT. westminster. S

=
- The Probate Court for said District
To all persons interested in the estate of FRAN
CES L. KEYES, late Of Putney. in said district
de easel Greeting.
Whereas, Jerome V. Shaw has presented to this
court an instrument purporting to be the last
will Of said deceased, for probate:-You are here
by notified that this court will decide upon the
probate OF said instrument at the session thereof
10 be held at the Probate Office in Bellows Falls
in said district, on the first day of June. A. D.
1873, when and where you may appear and con-
test the same if you see cause
10 ZINA II. ALLBEE. Register
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
OF VERMONT. Marlboro. IS

y By the Probate Court for said District
To all persons interested in the estate Of OTIS
B. WHEELER, late Of Nottingham, in said
district deceased, Greeting
Whereas, \. a. Butterfeld has presented to
this court an instrument purpOrtug TO be the
last viii OF said deceased Tor probate:-you are
hereby notified that this court will decide upon
the probate Of said instrument at the session
thereof TO be held at the Probate Office in Brat
tleboro, in said district the last Saturday OF
May. 1895, when and where you may appear and
contest the same if you cause.
10 f. W. STODDARD. Register
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

His general expression and appearance
was stolid. While he might say yes if di-
rectly asked if he were sorry that his
brother was shot, he expressed no regret or
remorse.
\ sadder picture of degradation, poverty
and deprayity than he presented can hardly
be imagined. This young man of "a,
charged with and unquestionably guilty of
two of the most heinous crimes, was per
fectly Indifferent as to what he had done
or the consequences He has not a dollar
in the world, and his clothes, but little
more than cover his body.
On his head was a cap which a soda firm
gave away as an advertisement. His coat
was of overall cloth, covering a cotton shirt
well worm Cheap cotton trousers, almost
to pieces, and pair of brogans full of holes
completed his apparel. Underclothing
vest and stockings he had none. In ap-
pearance he is well built, light complex
toned, about five feet, ten inches in height
and weighing about 10. He has rather a
full face, with small moustache, and large
blue eyes stupid in expression. His cast
of countenance would be called criminal by
almost anyone. Densely ignorant (he can
not read or write) this young man is APP
parently destitute of moral conceptions.
With the exception of one trip to Benning-
ton he has never been over 20 miles away
from his birthplace.
Twice before this he has been behind
prison bars. He was arrested three or four
years ago for stealing tools from Cassius
Whites shop in Jamaica and taken to
Newfane, and an indictment found against
him, but the judge ordered him discharged
Afterward he was sent to the Jail at Man
chester in Bennington county for not pay
ing his poll tax in the town of Winhall,
but he was soon released. Twice before
he has assaulted his young sister, who was
his victim on Sunday but neither time in
jured her, owing to the interference of the
brother who now lies in a critical condi-
ton. At the time of the first offence moth
ing was said outside the family. This was
four years ago when johnson was 20 and
the sister eight. Two years ago he repeated
the offence and Sheriff Shumway was mott
fed by the angry father. There was little
evidence, however, of direct assault, and as
the young brute man had disappeared,
nothing was done about an arrest 1t is
said, however that the father told the other
boys where the pistol was and to use it in
case Fred again assaulted the sister. The
young man has been detected in various
low-lived acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
E. L. PUTNAM.

In our ~ cent line we have
six styles, and any lady wishing
a low priced Oxford will find
them, we think, the best assOrt-
ment and the best value in Brat
tlebOrO.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
The Vermont
loan & Trust Company

Has won the confidence of in
vestors by going through the
panic safely and meeting its
obligations promptly, which
shows its securities have been
conservatively handled and care
fully looked after. The future
will show no less care in the
conduct of its business.
First mortgage loans bearing
6 IL per cent constantly on
hand also school bonds.
VERMONT LOAN & TRUST CO.
Brattleboro, VT.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10

The johnson farm is on the road from
Wardsboro to West Jamaica The house
is story and half, elongated structure,
in not especially good condition. The
father is an illiterate, uncouth man, but he
possesses more than ordinary acuteness in
a trade. He served in company G of
the 18th regiment during the war and
receives a pension. He is son of Elisha
johnson, a well known character, who died
in Stratton about two years ago. His
great grandfather, also Elisha (great-great-
grandfather of the prisOner), lived in South
Londonderry and had Ii children. Some
descendants of the first Elisha have been
prosperous and highly respected people,
but others have sunk to depths of moral
degradation, especially in the way of licen-
tiousness. A chapter might be written
from the facts in hand illustrating in
striking but painful way the overpowering
influence of the law of heredity in cases like
this, but it would be unjust to the members
of the family who have lived uprightly to
have the story told in detail 1t is enough to
cite single instance. A cousin of the
prisoner, female pauper in Jamaica, is
the mother of three illegitimate children.
To hear the state of morals, here only
limited at, described by those familiar with
it, suggests nothing so much as the story
of the "Jukes" and "the mother of crimi-
mails" in New York.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
Legal NOtirrs.
C,rATE OF VERMONT. Marlboro. IS.


> BY the Probate Court for SAID District
To all persons interested in the estate of MARY
HULL DAY, late of Bratteboro in said district
deceased. Greeting
Whereas, Charles .. Day has presented 10
this court an instrument purportng to be the
last will of said deceased for probate:-Nou are
hereby notified that tins court will decide upon
the probate of said INSTRUMENT at the session
tleborO. in said district. on the last Saturday Of
May, A. d. 1886 when and where you may APP
pear and contest the same if you see cause.
- Z. W. STODDARD, Register
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-10
E. L. PUTNAM.
Near the Bridge.
Farm for Sale
For Sale.

INEN ROW BOATS; apply at Pine Grovas
l. Springs Spofford Lake, Chesterfield, \. Fl.