Evening journal., 1897-08-11
A MAIL TRICKSTER.
HE OFFERED TO SECURE HIS VIC
TINS WORK FOR TEN CENTS.

FORMER SEAFORD MAN CHARGED
WITH USING THE MAILS FOR A
FRAUDULENT PURPOsE-HE AID
VERTIsED FOR VICTIMS AND
THEY CAME BY THE WHOLE
SALE.
Charles w. Miller, recently of Sea-
ford, Del, and formerly a shoe factory
employe Of Williamspcrt, Pa, is now in
Moyamensing Jail in default of $500
bail TO answer at court a charge Of
using the mails in a scheme to defraud.
Miller had been arrested at Chester
on Monday night, and he was taken TO
Philadelphia yesterday by Post Office
Inspector Martin Malone. The man
was atthed in stained clothes and a
weather beaten hat. He had a two
weeks growth Of beard on his chin,
and looked like a tramp He looked the
unlikeliest i'm the world to go into a
scheme to defraud and that Is why he
was tripped up.
Miller was perfectly frank TO Inspec-
tor Malone. When he was asked II he
had any tobacco to send to his CORE
spondents he smiled and asked for the
loan OF a chew" He made no secret
of the incentive to advertising.
Yes, put the advertisement in sew
eral rgpcrs." he said. I've frequently
sent 10 cents myself in answer to an ad
vertisement and haven't got anything
| Thought / would try it myself"
The hearing was before United
States Commissioner Craig. Inspector
Malone testified that the defendant
rented q post office box at Chester on
August 3. His appearance attracted
suspicion and the postmaster ordered
the box to be watched. AS a result oi
the Sunday advertising 1876 letters
reached Chester for box 157 on Monday
Nearly all contained 10-cent pieces. De-
fendant had told witness that he hac
no signs and no tobacco. When asked
what he proposed to do for those who
sent 10 cents, he said he would buy
them pieces OF tobacco If they would
wait .cng enough Inspector Malone
then related the statement made by
the defendant given above.
George b. Ditchfield, dispatcher o
mails at the Chester post office, testi
fed that he was detailed by the posi
master to watch the mail for the de
| fendant On Monday evening the mar
came to the post office and secured {
big batch of mail. Witness followed
him to an empty lot, where letter aftel
letter was opened. The coins wer'
transferred TO the defendants poke
and the letters at once destroyed.
The defendant at length became tire'
Of the work, and gathering up the un
opened letters ne put them in his pOcke
and visited a saloon, where he took
drink. He then went into restaurant
kept by a cOlored man, and ate supper
When he came out, witness FOLLOWED
him to the steamboat landing and hearl
him ask what time the next boat lef
for Philadelphia. Finding that a della.
must ensue, the man lighted his pip
and sat on a log and proceeded TO opel
more letters and pocket the contents
/ BY telephone instructions from IN
postmaster the witness caused th
mans arrest.
A number OF letters were put In evi
dence, all being from persons who evl
dently were anxiously seeking work.
This is the advertisement that 80
Miller into trouble:
WANTED.-M in every state I
tack mp tin signs and distribute tobacc
samples; no canvassing, as others wi
follow to do that; wages SIS week an
expenses; those desiring steady iot
send 10c. for samples, etc. Address
o. box 157, Chester, Pa