The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-20
THATPOOR FORLORN ORPHAN.
Mr, J0hl Armitage Offered $2l,50o 10
Give Her a Home.
NEWLY F0UND SPANISH RELATIVES
Clever swiudIers Try To Dupe Member of
the Armi,agc Manufacturing Company
of1his City-He Declines to bite"
sin,ti ,r Proposition to Mr.. Bowers.

A shrevd band OF Spanish swindlsrs
have beer at work recently In this coun-
try, both North and South. and at least
two. and probably more. persons in this
city have been selected as possible VIC
Tins.
In the latter part OF October last Mr..
John Armitage. of the Armitage Manu-
featuring Company. doing business on
Williamsburg avenue. received letter
under date line OF San Salvador. Spain.
and signed Luis Rodriguez Armitage."
submitting 10 him very startling pro-
position.
HIS SPANISH RELATION.
The writer starts out by stating that he
has often heard OF the generosity and
noble feelings Of Mr.. Armitage, and both
on this account and by reason OF their
relationship is emboldened TO address him.
He represents himself as confined In
prison and having dependent upon him
young daughter only fourteen years or
age. and he wishes Mr.. Armitage TO take
charge OF her and rear her I'm this free
country.
The letter goes on: MY father was a
great engineer. who worked many years
under the direction Of M. Ferdinand dc
Lesseps in the construction OF the Pana-
ma canal and IL was very easy for me 10
obtain good employment under Nj. lie
Lesseps, and every dag seemed TO in
crease his favor toward me. | had NOT
been with him long when ] had the mis-
fortune to lose my father. and shortly
thereafter my mother and my wife, who
lett me as my only comfort my b-nutiful
daughter. This little piece OF my heart
gave me all the necessary strength 10 ac-
c0mplish my duty. and was soon a
necessary man 10 the company. and also
obtained the protection OF great banker.
who was the soul OF the corporation.
go. coll flk. In my
place when the great stir came which
bl lokc up and stopped the work As
consequence OF what happened ] acted
with prudence and placed all my properly
in security out OF France IN a sure DahA
In London. / then went back To- Paris.
but was soon forced 10 leave and SO back
TO England Being In constant fear OF
arrest. placed my money. amounting 10
some AsS,OOO, In secret drawer
THROWN INTO PRISON.
The writer then goes on to descibe how
he was arrested and thrown into prison
in Spain. lie resisted arrest and was bru-
tally beaten. Since his arrest the writer
says he has secured the sympathy OF the
prison chaplain, who viii receive any let
ter written TO him. The letter winds up
by Offering Mr. Armtage a fourth OF the
fortune OF EeS,0t0 10 receive and rear the
girl and tells him 20 write 10 Luis Rod
Tiguez Armitage." under cover TO sr ID.
Antonio Fernandez. San Salvador Numero
. Rens'
Mr. Armitage showed this letter to Mr.
ID. G. Richardson, who told him that it
was undoubtedly swindle. ana III ne
would reply the swindler wouls soon show
that he was enGeavoring to get money out
OF him. MIR. Armitage accordingly re-
piled as though seeking further informa-
tiOn. and received another long letter un-
der date OF December 9TH In much the
same strain OF the first letter. and stat
ing that the secret drawer containng pa
pers to substantiate his claimr - -
cgS 600 In an English bank Is now In the
hands of the Spanish authorities In 4
trunk, but that there Is no danger OF
their finding II.
THE CHAPLAIN WRITES.
Mr. Armitage replied to this letter. and
shortly thereafter. under date OF Decem-
her 10Th received "A letter from Antonio
Fernandez, the alleged chaplain OF the
prison, enclosing one from Luis Rodri-
guez Armtage, written In "A feeble, waV-
ering hand. The letter also enclosed
certificate stamped with "A seal bearing
the words, "JuzgodO de INSTRUCTION.
Rens,' to the effect that Armtage had
recovered his secret drawer and papers
from the authorities. and tha: he was
in and his sands OF life rapidly waning
The letter accompanying this cOmmunlca-
ton from the alleged Luis Armitage begs
for pecuniary assistance in order 10 pro-
vide for getting his money from the Eng
lish bank
DEATH OF LUIS.
10 this letter Mr.. Armitage made no
reply, hut Notwithstanding received let
ter from the pretended chaplain, dated
DECEMBER 3lsl. announcing the death Of
Luis Armtage and enclosing certificate
Of the fact i'm Spanish. The letter also
prays for assistance 10 pay the debts or
Luis Armitage. and says as soon AS that
is done he viii start for America with the
orDhan daughter.
This letter * the last chapter in tho
correspondence, but Mr.. John Armitage -
daily expecting another appeal in behalf
OF the fOrlOrn orphan.
The sWindlers are evidently clever ones
and the plot Is deep laid
A few days ago Mr. John Bowers was
honOred with a similar proposition 10 be-
come protector To- an orphan girl. In this
case the unhappy parent took the name
OF Antonio Rodriguez Bowers. Mr.. Bow
crs declined TO receive the poor orphan.
The same gang of swindlers have been
operating extensively in the northern