Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-15
IS NOT KNOWN HERE.
LOCAL. PRODUCE MEN HAVE NO
KNOWLEDGE OF ADAMS.
DID NOT REPRESENT EVANS & co,
The Firm Has Had No Transnctions,
or been Represented by ANY sueh
NIau-How lie Got the Envelope
of Park & Co.

The disclosure IN last sundays DIS
patch of the operations In Chase CITY
and the surrounding country OF the man
representing himself 10 be L. J. Adams
mas developed more local interest.
Adams was registered at Barnets Hotel,
Chase City, and represented himself as
an agent of n large poultry and produce
exchange which. according 10 his story,
had branches in 800 cities and towns
in az parts Of the United States. He
rented storehouses. and had his office
extensively fitted up. His storage-pen for
chickens. built after his own plans, was
an ideal one and his stationery and fix
lures were all in the latest style and
the best taste. When he had completed
all the preliminary arrangements-on no
visible capital other than smooth ana
insinuating address and an air noble
ne hired double team. and, accom-
panied by a weli-hnoWn resident of Chase
city. started upon a tour TO the neigh
boring farms. for the alleged purpose OF
purchasing stock. produce. and the rest.
The trip was 10 have lasted only two
days.
GOT MONEY ON CHECKS
The gentleman who accompanied Adams
on the excursion SAYS that they visited
numerous farms end small settlements
between Chase City and Virginia, and
then returned to GAINESVILLE, taxing in
the country stores between there and
Boydton, and then went on TO south
HfL ..
lie made numerous purchases, and even
offered prices slightly in excess or the
market quotations. and be Invariably paid
with checks and drafts. signed with diff
ferent names and in different hand
writings. The papers were always for
sums slightly in excess OF the amount OF
the bills but such was the confidence
that he readily inspired. he never once
experienced any difficulty In collecting
the balance in good, hard casa. At South
Hin Adams took the train TO- Lawrence
vile. asking his friend 10 drive the buggy
back TO Chase City. and saying that he
would return as soon as he had closed
q big poultry deal at the former pace.
Since he waved his farewell to his
friend from the departing train Mr.
Adams has neither been seen nor
heard from. and the checks and drafts
which he had issued so freely have all
been protested, and one or more war
rants for the mans arrest have been
issued.
WAS NOT KNOWN HERE.
Among the firms that Adams said he
represented Is thet of Messrs. L. w.
Evans & Co. produce dealers doing
business at No. 1913 east Cary street.
letter addressed TO Il. J. Adams is lying
at Barnet Hotel. The envelope bears the
business card of Messrs T. +. Park q
Co. who are also produce dealers here
Mr.. Richards, Of the firm of Evans
& Co., said 10 a Dispatch reporter yes
terday that he had never seen or heard
Of such a person as 10. J. Adams, and
the firm was not represented on the road
by a man of that name. He stated. how
ever, that he had ascertained that his
firm was being misrepresented. and had
taken steps TO correct the false impress
sion which unauthorized statements had
caused. 1T appears that Adams met one
of Wingo, Elicit & Crumps drummers
while in the village OF Virginia, and
mentioning that he represented Evans
& CO.. was INTRODUCED 10 Mr.. j. c. King,
upon whom he passed check for $40
Mr. King wrote TO NVingo, Elicit q
Crump. and by them was referred TO
Evans a. Co., who were, of course, able
10 show that Adams WAS not. and never
had been, connected with them. Mr..
Richards said that he had been called
upon by Mr. j. W. Edmundson, Of Stony
Cross. on Tuesday. who stated that he
had lot Of eggs. country meat. and
other produce awaiting Mr.. Adams's or
ders. rf
The firm OF T.. +. Park & Co. with
equal emphasis. denied all knowledge Of
the man Adams. In reference TO the let
ter lying at the hotel in Chase City bear
ing their business card, they said that
no such letter had left their office and
presumed that one of their stamped en-
velopes enclosed 10 some farmer or mer-
chant for reply, as their custom is. had
been employed In correspondence with
Adams.