The evening times., 1896-09-23
POOR PEOPLE HIS VICTIMS
Arthur Fraser Said to Be a
SWindler.
MONEY FOR A MONUMENT
Armed With n Subscription List,
Fraser Induces ColOred People to
Subscribe for a Memorial to the
Late Frederick Dougiass-Police
and Others Are Looking for Him.

Police Lieut.. McCathran, of the Capitol
Hill precinct, has received complaints about
the operations of an expert colored swindler.
and his policemen are on the lookout for
the fellow. The latest complaint came from
Mrs. Mary f. Green, president OF tue
daughter of RobeCca,'' an East Washing
ton benevolent organization, wLu has fur
pislicd the police with a description of
the man.
His name is given as Prof" Arthur
Fraser, OF the Nashville College fof In
digeDt Colored Youth" This institution
is a myth, and Fraser fraud, Mrs. Green
says. Shewro;ct to the mayor and postma ster
nf Nashville, concerning The alleged col
lcge, and each replied that there was no
such institution in or about their city.
Fraser dresses in IA well-fitting suit of
black broadcloth, topped off with shiny
Silk hat He is {; fluent talker, and has
but little difficulty in delEding his victims,
who are mainly ,hc more ignorant colored
people.
BOGUS RECOMMENDATIONS
The swindler carries bogus letters of
Recommendation from Prominent colored
men, indorsing him as a man of honor and
probity, worthy of the esteem of his Afro
American fellow citizens. Armed with
these forged documents and his slippery
tongue. Fraser has but little difficulty in
rilchng from the poor people Of his race.
a Portion of their halL-earncd savings.
The swindler has a subscription list,
headed by the name OF Bishop Brooks, of
the A. NJ E. Church, for $50, and fol-
lowed by hundreds OF other names. He
claims that he is authorized by his college
10 collect funds to be applied To the cree
lion Of a Monument i'll memory of Frederick
Douglass, the late colorcd '.jurist, phi
lanthropst and statesman
Fraser even has n dra wing of the pro-
posed statue, which he uses TO Cunyinc"
his victims that his fraudulent scheme is
legitimate. During the past week, Lieut.
McCaihrau is informed. tie fellow has be2n
working among the very poor colored
people, who live i'll shanties on the great
stretch of commons in Southeas, Wash
ington.
PLAN OF OPERATION.
To these people Fraser states that the
mythical statue - To he erected IN Lin
coin Park, which is on the western border
OF the commons. He will accept any
sum, from one penny to a dollar willie
have their names carved on the pedestal
OF the statue.
1t is known by Mrs. Green and others
that Fraser has collected large sum of
money in the northeast and southeast
sections Also before he CAME To this
cny he collected considerable money in
the Virginia towns. through ThiCn lie
pa sed.
Leading colorcd men here, with T:Eom
an Evening Times representative talked
concerning Fraser and his rl?thu:!s. un-
hesitatirgly pronounced him Il fraIl of
rested and sent to the penitcntiary los
receiving money under false prrtruses.
Lieut. MCCathraD has also learned that
Fraser. in his spare moments. sells d mix
turc which he calls 'HiDdoo Good Luck
Powders" This powder. the swindlcr says,
and when sprinklcd about the house brings
good fortune and wards off disease. lt.
char,-es 90 cents a package for the stuff.
For .he past three days and nights, since
Fraser'S character has been found out,
a number of stalwart Colorcd men have
been trying to apprehend him. They all
live 10 the southeast section, and MAJ he no
secret of their intention To Stup the fraud
and horse whip him nearly to death, If hc is
Captured. Mrs. Green has devoted much
time to visiting the homes of poor coiored
people and warning them against Fraser.