Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-05
LOST s., ,oO0 BY BUNCo.

Alfred W. Withcrs, wealthy young
man from Gloucester county, was yes
terday buncoed to the extent Of 5000
by two men, claiming to be John Will
liams, a miner from Arizona, and Thos.
H. Parker, of Philadelphia, United
States mint assayist.
Withers was called upon Wednesday
at his home by Williams, who claimed
that he had came to Virginia to look
up an uncle named Alfred Withers.
This uncle, the westerner went on to
say, had taken him when lad to Ar
iona, where he had been reared by the
relatives. When Williams was grown
the uncle returned to the east and the
newhew did not hear from him any
more.
Several months ago, according to the
story, Williams went hunting and came
across two Indians in the woods. One
was dead and the other badly injured.
He took up the suffering 'redskin"
and nursed him back to health. When
the Indian was entirely we'll he carried
his rescuer to a gold vein and they got
large quantity Of the precious metal.
Upon coming to Virginia Williams de-
clares that he was accompanied by the
Iudian who was desirous of selling
four bars Of gold, which he had retain.
ed for himself. These bars were about
foot and q half long and weighed ap-
proximately thirty pounds each. Will
iiams succeeded in getting Withers in
teres!ed in this gold vein and induced
him TO go to Richmond for the pur-
pose of raising funds to develop the
vein.
Alter reaching Richmond the men
registered at Ford's hotel and drove
out in the country short way where
the alleged Indian was camping and
guarding the bars of precious metal.
One of the gold" bricks was bored into
and found to be Of good quality so fer
a. appearances went. The shavipgs
were brought into the city, aud as Will
liams was simply acting as the agent of
the Indian, he was intrusted TO have q
test made. He went away and return
ed shortly, saying to Withers that three
jewellers had pronounced the gold OF
fine quality, a karat, and worth 5000
au ounce at the United States mints.
Parker was then found to be United
States mint assayist, and he too, tested
the gold and pronounced it all right,
and even proposed to buy it himself,
which was part of the game. Ar
rangements were made whereby With
ers was to put up $1,000 in cash upon
two of the bars of gold which were
worth, according to Williams state
ment, the sum of $23, 900. Withers YVES
told he could keep the gold if he did
rot hear from the Iudian.
When the transfer had been made
the bricks of metal were placed
in deposit vault at the Planters
National Bank, and it was not
until yesterday afternoon when With
ers wanted to borrow $500. and
went to have the gold tested again that
he ascertained that his "gold" was
brass. He reached his hotel in time to
see Parker rush of down Capitol
street and disappear.
Warrants were at once sworn out for
DOlu w llltilIS anu al hCl, uuU LACf Co
capped. Among their effects at Ford's
hotel was the wig and mask Of the In
dian, and lot of circulars exposing
what was headed "The gold brick
swindle."
Withers is one of the most travelled
men in the country. He is rich
Gloucester man. Early in life he en-
tered the British army merely to see
life, and served under Gen. Wolseley
in the Soudan. He was with that COM
manderin Egypt, and after his term of
service was out returned to Paris.
From there he came back to his es-
tate in Gloucester county, i'll this State.
During his life abroad Withers visited
almost every continent on the globe.
He is highly connected, bright, and
has probably seen more Of life than any
man in Virginia.
One of the swindlers was arrested
last night in Petersburg.