Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-23
VAS TIE DEAL MADE? William Dobbins, Wealthy Truck
 Gardener,
SUPPOSED TO BE THE VICTIM
Of Two "Qsd" Brick sharps, Though B StoutIy Denies
 tfS'Assertion.

"Did Wi m Dobbins buy 'gold' brick aud a ya,t himself to become the vic- tim of col tss:ence men?'' was the all- absorbing lc in the city yesterday alter noon and last night.
 There were many who affirmed the ru- nor, though Mir. Dobbns steadfastly de- ned having made the purchase.
 The story of the brick is about as follows: Two well-dressed men came to this city few days ago and worked their way into the good graces Of MT. Dobbins, one of them claiming to be kinsman. Both men made the assertion that they owned property in this city and Montgomery.
 Thursday the one who claimed kinship with MT. Dobbins told him that he was needing money and to realize would sell him "solid gold'' brick Tor certain sum. The brick was produced and one of the men made a thorough CD test of 1t, and proved 10 the entire satisfaction of MT. Dobbins that it was the 'simon" pure article.
 The deal was consummated and Mir. Dobbins, with his relative CD, came to the city and proceeded to the bank where the former is known to have an account. Arr irving there MT. Dobbins drew a check for S8000 on his account. The check was duly honored and the money handed out, MT. Dobbins taking part of the money and his
 
 then left the bank.
 This latter action is verified beyond con- tradiction, 1. G., the drawing of this amount of money.
 1t is further stated, and by a man of re- liability, that MT. Dohbins confded his purchase to one of the bank officials, who at once thought he "smelt mouse.'' He told MT. Dobbins that the brick must un- doubtedly be fake, as such sales had been made time and again and invariably proved 6isaafrOua tO the purchaaar frn fhfg Mir Dobbins is quoted as replying that the knew the brick was gold, as one of the msn tested it,' and that "both men were re- liable, as they told him they owned prop erty in Birmingham and Montgomery D MT. Dobbins Is also quoted as having said to the official of the bank that he intended going to New Orleans and have the gold coined into money.
 The bank officials further than acknowl- edging the withdrawal of the money, failed to talk further, save that one of them said Mir. Dobbins asked if the vaults were secure sufficiently so as to warrant his depositing a gold brick In it.
 Mir. Dobbins was seen by an AoE-HER- AID reporter and stoutly denied having made the purchase, and said the deal bad not been thoroughly made. He spoke of the test and said he knew the brick was pure gold, and that the meu would return later, and If the deal was made would give it out.
 MT. Dobbins Is one of the best known men in this vicinity, having come to this city when it was not even a village, so to speak, and by hard work and careful hoard- ing and good deals in land had amassed large sum of money. He owns a valuable piece of land where he lives, and yearly cul- tivates it in vegetables and brings them to the city and sells them for profit. He lives at Dobbins' switch just beyond Sloss' furnace, on the East Lake dummy line.
 Whether the swinolers succeeded in dup ing MT. Dobblns is not known, and if it is so will perhaps never be given out.