The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-18
FOOLS ARE FAXED
RIGHT ALONG WITH THE.SAME MoUL-
DYTRlCkS.
Several swindlers Who Got $1,000 From y
Now Orleans aloon Man For Gold Bricks;

Now Orleans Saloon Man For Gold Bricks.
Caught In Gotham.
The police have locked up at head
quarters two men wanted in New Cr.1
leans for swindling wealthy saloon
keeper out of 1000 and also suspect.
ed of beipg members of a gang who
have operated extensively in South
American countries and the large
cities of this country. The prisoners ara
Ivan Antonio Msgan, IS years of age,
of 754 Dolphin street, New Orleans,
and Regelio Guiterriaz, 26 years old,
who also comes from New Orleans.
Both men are of FrancoSpanish or
Bosque type. common in South Amer
ican countries. They said that they
both left New Orleans four days ago.
The swindled saloon keeper is Pas
cal Lastelle. On July q, Magan]
went to the saloon keeper and repre-.
sented himself as Ralph Diaz. He
stated that he and others were in the
employ of the Argentine government,
stationed at Beunos Ayres. While
thus stationed they became possessed
of 100000 in gold bricks. Diaz diE-
played one of the bricks to Lastelle
and asked to have it analyzed and
tested thoroughly. Lastelle had the
brick filed and was told that the filings
were pure, unalloyed gold dust. The
next time Diaz called he had with him
young man supposed to be Cutter
riaz. The young man stated that the
elder one was his father. and that for
long time he had suffered with an
affection of the heart. He had dis
played genius in his early accumulat-
ing fortune. He and his father did
not care to run any great risks and
wanted an active man to share, for 8
consideration, in his gold brick for
tune. When his father disposed Of
his interest in the gold bricks it YVES
his intention to 20 to Tampa for hts
health. When Lastelle was told hel
could have a one-third share in the
gold bricks he parted with his 81. COO.
He soon found he had lot of fake
gold bricks on bis hands, and he mo-
tilted the New Orleans police.
One of the men supposed to be a]
member of the gang, died suddenly in
New Orleans of heart failure, supposed1
10 have, been superindUced by the
excitement attendant on this transac-
ton with Lastelle. His name was
Jose Maria Mayano. The police OF
this city were notified that the bag
gage of the gang who had departed
had besn taken Dy the Pennsylvania
company. Two days later the police
were further informed that John Mar
tinez, alias Gonzales, was supposed to|
be leader of the gang, and that an un-|
known man had sent postal card toI
Ivan Antonio Magan in New York.
The police kept a watch on the post
office and when Magaa called for his
postal card he was shaddowed to a1
house on Lexington avenue. Soon
ne came out with young man, swar-1
thy and OF Spanish origin. The de-
tectives followed the pair and placed
them under arrest. On Magan's per-
son was $247. draft on q Londonl
bank for 941O, and a first class pass.|
age on the American liner st. Paul,
which sails tomorrow. On the young
man was found $lO4 an ingot of pure
gold about an ounce in weight. dia-l
mond j,welry and a package OF fake!
diamonds. Both men were locked up.
Two trunks belonging to the mem
were found at the house which con-
tanned complete outfit for the gold
brick swiudle. Magap, when ques-|
toned, admitted that he knew May
no, who dropped dead in New Or-|
leans. He said Mayno had owed him|
So, 500 but paid the money before he|
died. The police of New Orleans have
been notified of the arrest. The pris;|
oners were arraigned in police court
and remanded.