Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-17
In NEW YORK
A. p. HARI<IN ARRESTED FOR
sWINDLING MIR. MAY.
A BOGUS TELEGRAM And A DRAFT.
One Denied and the Other DishoD-
ored-The Accused to he Drought
Here for Trini-Hc Already stands
Indicted.

a. p. Harkin. n shoe-drummer. was
arrested I'm New York city yesterday af-
ternoon. upon advice Of the police au-
thorities Of this city. upon the charge Of
being a fugitive from justice from the
state OF Virginia. Plans for the capture
OF Harkin had been making for several
weeks. and. while the man evidently
thought he was cleverly evading the Of
ncers OF the law, they were in reality
weaving its meshes more closely around
him.
Harkin was in Richmond on Novem-
her 18th. I'm company with Mr.. 7. 7.
Merrill. vice-president Of the well-known
wholesale shoe-house Of j. S. Turner q
Co. OF Rockland, Mass, and It was be-
cause of his being with this gentle
man that he was enabled 10 get the sum
Of so upon draft drawn by him on the
shoe firm Of J.. II. Starke & Co. Of
Worcester, Mass. which house Harkin
claimed to be representing, from Mr. Ike
May. OF the firm Of May Brothers. pro-
prietors of the Model Shoe-Store. Har-
kin's scheme 10 get the money was a
rather unique one. and would have re-
suited I'm his success had he tried it upon
any other concern or Individual in town,
who could have accommodated him.
KNEW HIM SLIGHTLY.
Mr.. May. having been long a travelling
salesman for one Of the largest shoe
establishments in the country, had form
ed an acquaintance with Harkin. al
though he knew him but slightly. When
the accused came to Richmond on the
18th of November be called on Mr.. May,
and the two had n chat. Later in the
day Harkin returned 10 Mr.. Mays place
of business on Broad street. IN company
With Mr.. Merrill These gentlemen
talked for some time before the subject
of cashing the draft was preached.
Finally, Harkin produced a telegram.
purportng 10 be from r.. II. Starke q
Co. Of Worcester Mass. telling him to
go at once TO Louisville. Ky, to repievin
"A stock of goois OF a certain shoe firm
there, adding that he should draw on
the house II he needed money. Harkin
explained that he dill not have sufficient
money to make this trip. and that he
would have TO get draft cashed. Mr..
May knew the reputation and standing
Of the house. which Harkin claimed he
represented, and also OF the existence of
the Louisville firm. which he had re-
ferred TO. and asked Mr.. Merrill II ne
thought II was safe 20 cash the draft.
Receiving an answer in the affirmative,
the $50 was given to Harkln upon the
piece Of paper, and the visiting gentle
men soon left the store.
AND THE DRAFT CAME BACK.
The draft was deposited in bank here
but soon came back from Worcester with.
the enforcement, payment refused. q
This almost took the breath away from
the Richmond shoe merchant, especially
as Mr. Merrill. a man Of high standing
had spoken OF Harkn as he had Mr..
May, however. at once began a CORE
spOnfence with Messrs. Starke & Co. and
talked with every shoe drummer who
came TO town, and he soon began to learn
much more about Harkln than he ever
dreamed that he would. BY Nessrs.
Starke & Co. he was advised that they
had discharged Harkin on October 30th.
or lust fourteen days before the draft
bad been given, and he also learned from
them. as he had already done al the
offices Of the two telegraph companies here.
that this firm had sent no such telegram
as Harkin claim TO have gotten from
Worcester on November 18th Mr.. May
found out from other sources that the
same man had secured so from Wright's
Hotel, Columbia, S. c., upon worthless
draft, and that he had been discharged
fIom the shoe-house of Byron T. Rey-
nOlds. OF Brockton. Mass, because Of the
fact that he was sending in so many
drafts through customers OF the firm.
which they were bound to take care Of in
order 10 preserve their trade.
rInur .nr,r-cr, III . ,-r,r,r-c,,,r.r>
When all these reports were in hand
Mr. May thought it advisable to confer
with the police authorities, and have the
drummer arrested. After explaining to
Major Howard. the Chlef-of-P Police; Mr..
D. c. Richardson, the Commonwealth
Attorney, and Detectlve-Sergeant Alex.
Tomlinson the nature Of the case, it was
decided 10 proceed against Harkin in the
regular manner and he was indicted by
the grand jury Of the Hastings Court
several days ago. The Richmond officers
were untirng In their efforts 10 locate
Harkin, and finally ascertained that he
had lived at a certain number in New
York. When this place was visited it
was learned that he had moved. but the
metropolitan police did not give up the
chase for this reason, but continued TO
search for the accused until they on yes
terday landed him. The news OF Har-
hn's arrest was promptly communicated
20 Major Howard and Detective-Sergeant
Tomlinson was detailed TO so TO New
York for the prisoner. Requisition papers
will be obtained from the Governor this
morning. and the Sergeant will probably
start upon his mission on the 1905 train
to-day.
Harkin IS said to be one Of the best
posted of shoe statesmen, an exceedingly
attractive man. and about 30 years Of age.
on the day that he was indicted in the
Hastings Court here Mr.. May received a
letter from him, written upon paper
having a Spartanburg, S. c., heading on
IT. but bearing the pOstmark Of New York
city. In this communication the accused
went on to say that he was on his way
to Washington, Baltimore, PHILADELPHIA.
and Richmond, and would In n few days
call upon Mr. May and fix up his little
mote" and explain all. He Will soon
have the opportunity to make his ex-
PLANTATION.