Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-11

The bogus Mason-Gsven SIX Months
Personal md General Notes.

PETERSBURG. VA. November H.
Special -Hugh c. Hunter alias c. J.
Simmons, the fraudulent Mason who has
been successful In obtaining money on
false pretences from members Of the or
der in Richmond, Petersburg. Ports
mouth, and other places, was to-day
sentenced to six months Imprisonment
In jail by the Mayor for his offences
committed here. Simmons was arrested
on Sunday night last as q suspicious
character by Lieutenant Chandler. who,
on subsequently investigating his case,
found that he had played a swindiing
game on several OF our weli-known citi-
zens, in obtaining money from them on
the pretence that he was a Mason In
distress. II was on one of these charges
that he was this morning convicted and
sent TO JAIL The ether charges will pro-
badly not be brought to trial.
Simmons, as has been noted in this
correspondence, had in his possession a
statement bearing the seal OF Unity
Lodge, No. Sc, A. +. and A. d., OF Mays
Landing. n. j., and signed Il. j. Cole,
secretary Of the lodge, setting forth
that Hugh C. Hunter had paid up his
dues to 1898. and was in good standing.
The prisoner says now that hi1 name
Is c. j. Simmons, and that he obtained
the paper in question from Hugh c.
Hunter, who taught him the secret OF
successfully swindling the Masonic Or
der, and that he has been practicing
the game for a long time, and has
| made good living out OF it.
A letter from the Worshipful Master
OF Unity Lodge No. IS, says that the
paper on which the above statement
was written and the seal We're stolen
from private desk in his room by
man whom he had allowed to sleep
there one night, and that the fellow
left after committing the theft.
Simmons, after first declaring that he
| was q Mason, and had been made one IN
| Scotland, to-day confessed that he never
belonged to the order, but that he had
been taught all he knew by Hunter. he
! had in his pockets the cards OF several
| well-known citizens of Richmond, Ports
| mouth, Emporia, and other places. lie
| has evidently been long on the road. and
| has practiced his swindling game on Ma
! sons in many places. Letters have been
received here from various places re-
questing the punishment Of Simmons.
| A good snap photograph was taken OF
| the prisoner this morning as he was be-
| ing taken from Jail to the courthouse
copies Of which will be made and sent TO
! Masonic lodges throughout the country.
In Decatur, Ca, some months ago,
Hunter, or Simmons (and they are sup
posed to be the same), entered a Masonic
lodge-room before the time OF meeting
and finding two or three members present
introduced himself as a Mason He man
aged it is charged, to steal receipt
from the secretarys desk and to leave
the room before the lodge opened.
THEFT OF A BICYCLE.
A handsome bicycle belonging to
young lady of this city was stolen OF
Monday from fuckers shop, on Oar
street, where it had been sent for repairs
This morning a negro girl named Edifs
Bragg, aged about Is years. was arrested
charged with the theft. She was founc
riding the bicycle, which was recovered
and fully identified. The prisoner pointed
out a negro boy on the street. who sh'
declared had given 1t to her, and TIT
how was arrested, but it was quickly
proved that he had just come from th'
country and was innocent.
MATRIMONIAL.
At s o'clock this afternoon, at the resi-.
dence of the bride, On Liberty street
Miss Susie A. Whitehurst. the charming
daughter of the late j. t. Whitehurst
|
popular merchant Of Crozet, Va. Mr.
Samuel Price acted as best man. an'
Miss Bessie Scoggins, a little niece o
the bride. bore the wedding ring on
silver waiter. The ceremony was per
formed by Rev. w. II. Riddick. assiste'
nv Rev. r.. T. Wilson and Rev, II. NJ
Hope. Later, the couple left on thei
bridal trip.
COLORED NJ. L. CONFERENCE.
The 9th annual conference or IN
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church II
America was opened to-day at tn
Tynion-Street church, in this city, Bishop
J. A. Beebe, presiding. There were
eoodly number of delegates present from
several States. After religious services
conducted by the Bishop, the latter CAV
an interesting history Of the churcn
which was organized in Jackson, Tenn.
In 1870. under the leadership OF KEY
afterwards Bishop William Miles. Tn
conference has steadily grown in exten
and influence since its organization.
The Bishop announced committees
and the conference, after hearing severa
renorts. adjourned over until tomorrow