The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-08-06
IMPORTANT ARREST.
Two Spaniards Are Charged With
Being Gold Brick Men.
SOME EXPERT DETECTIVE WORK.
Representation Was Made to SwindIers'
Victim That Gold Was Stolen
From the Argentine Repub-
lic Government,

lie Government.
New York, Aug. 4.-Acting Inspector
O'Brien has locked up at headquarters
two supposed daring gold brick swim
dlers wanted in New Orleans for al
legged swindling of a wealthy saloon
keeper out of $1,000 and also suspected
OF being members of gang which has
operated extensively in South Americon
cities and the large cities of this coun-
try.
The two persons under arrest are
Juan Antonio Magan, 55 years old, who
gives his residence as 734 Dolphin street
New Orleans, and Rogelio Gutierrez 81
years old, who also comes from New
Orleans, but whose address is not
known. Both men are of the Franco
Spanish or Basque type so common in
the South American countries. They
said they left New Orleans five days
ago.
The specific charge is that they swim
died Pascal Lastell of New Orleans out
of $1,000 on a gold brick swindle. 1t is
said that Magan went to the saloon
keeper on July 81 and represented him
self as Ralph Diaz. He stated it is
alleged, that he and others were in the
employ of the Argentine government
and stationed at Buenos Ayres.
While thus employed by the govern
ment, it Is charged. they said they had
got hold of 100000 in gold bricks.
Tried the Gold Brick Swindle.
Ralph Diaz. as he styled himself, dis
played one of the gold bricks to Las
tell and asked to have It analysed and
tested thoroughly. Lastell had the
brick filed and was told that the filings
were pure gold dust.
The next time Diaz called he had with
him young man, supposed to be the
Gutierrez arrested and in custody here
The young man stated that the elder
man was his father and that he had
for a long time suffered from an affec-
ton of the heart. The reason for this
was the great energy he had displayed
in his early life in accommodating a for
tune.
The young man stated that his father
did not care to run any great risks and
wanted some active man to share for
a consideration in the gold brick for
tune he had met with in Buenos Ayres
He further stated that it was the in
tention of his rs iAer to go to Tampa
had disposed of his interests in the
gold bricks.
Having tested the gold brick. Lastell
was anxious to get good share of it.
He parted with his $1,000, but was not
long in ascertaining that he had lot
of worthless gold bricks on hand.
He reported the matter to the New
Orleans police. A man supposed to be
q me har Of faI
New Orleans of heart failure. supposed
to have been superinduced by the ex-
citement attendant on this transaction
with Lastell. His name was Jose Ma
ria Mayano.
Acting Inspector O'Brien received a
telegram July 2S from D. s. Casper, su-
perintendent of police of New Orleans.
Casper detailed the story of the gold
bricks and stated that some of the bag
gage of the members of the gang who
had departed had been taken by the
Pennsylvania company.
Chief O'Brien received a later tele-
gram that John Martinez, alias Con-
zales. As years old, feet inches in
height and with gray beard, was sup
posed to be the leader OF the gang
Casper also sent telegram that a man
postal card to Juan Antonio Magan
In New York.
The Arrest.
That is all Chief O'Brien had to work
upon. He detailed Detectives Rynders
Donnelly. Bonner, Mccarthy and Hag-
gerty to watch the postal delivery. Ma
gan called at the general postofflce and
asked for the postal card. The de-
tectives followed him to 1873 Lexington
avenue. The man remained In this
place for about an hour, when he came
out, accompanied by a young man.
They were about to part when the de-
tectives placed them under arrest and
took them to the Central office
On Magan was found $247, draft on
a London bank for G410 and a ticket
for a first class passage on the st. Paul.
which sails today. On the person of
the young man was found $104, an ingot
Of pure gold of about an ounce in
weight. diamond jewelry and a package
Of fake diamonds.
The detectives discovered two trunks
at 1873 Lexington avenue. which are
supposed to be the baggage brought to
this city by the Pennsylvania road.
They contained the complete outfit for
the gold brick swindle
There were a pair of jewelers. scales.
weights. etc, box of jewelers. tools. a
lamp. cruclble, two small boxes, con-
tanning gold and silver alloy. two bot
ties containing a yellow liquid used for
painting fake bricks. six fake gold
bricks and dies for making others.
Magan admitted that he knew Maya
no. the man who dropped dead in New
Orleans. He stated that Mayano was
his friend, and he spent seven hours
with the man before he died. He said
Mayano had owed him s3500 for long
time, and just before death repaid the
money.
Both men were taken to the Center
street court and have been remanded to
the Tombs.
News For ex-voIunteer Officers.
Washington Aug. 3.-Acting Secre-
tary Meikejohn has written a letter
giving additional Interpretation to the
order regarding the wearing Of uni-