Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-26

Several merchants are mourning IOSt
cash, acquired from them in tricky and
decidedly unlawful manner. recently, by
very shrewd and entirely heartless
stranger who goes by the name of j. ?.
Williams, and who claims his recent home
was in Pittsburg.
Williams is man on the sunny side of
forty, has but one arm, and yesterday
was attired in a light suit, and wore a
soft hat and a mustache. He operated in
this city to some extent as long ago as
three weeks, on one occasion presenting
a check for 81 to Morris Jacobs in pay
ment OF purchase mae, obtaining nine
dollars in good money in exchange. The
check was banked and went to Pittspurg,
whence it came back dishonored and with
protest added to it. The matter was
brought to the attention of the police at
the time, but no result appears to have
followed.
Yesterday afternoon about half-past one
Williams appeared at House q Herr
mann's and attempted to buy bill of fur
niture, rendering in payment the follow
ing check:
"PITTSRURG, Pa. May %, 1898. No. So.
THE FREEHOLD BANK,
NO. LII Fourtn Avenue.
PAY to the order of J. p. Williams $67. So.
"Sixty-seven ............... .35-100 Dollars.
HARTLEY BROS. & co..
This check was endorsed by ]. P. Will
lams. The firm declined to cash the
check, and Williams departed. He next
appeared at Alexander Frews, where he
purchased goods to the amount of s4150,
rendered the check, and it was accepted
and the difference, s25.S5, given him in
cash. When in the store Williams said
he had been living in Pittsburg, but had
removed to this city, where he was en-
ployed at the blast furnace at the Top
mill. He said he was now living at No.
q Fifth street. He said he had shipped
his household goods to this city on the
steamer Queen City, ana that some of
them were broken up in transit. He wish
ed the goods sent up in two hours. he
said, as he wished to go to work at once,
but wanted the furniture at the house be-
fore he did SO. In explaining hi possess
sion of the check, he said it was balance
of money coming to him from the settle
ment of an estate, of which Hartley Bros.
& Co. were the executors.
After the transaction was concluded
Mr.. Williams expressed a desire to pur-
chase a suit of clothes, and he was taken
over to Hamburger Bros by one of the
Frew firm and introduced, with the jok-
irg remark to Mr.. Harberger not to rob
their new customer. There Williams Sc
lected suit and rendered another check
drawn on the Freehold Bank for S53 65
this check being signed by L. F. Watson
& Co Mr.. Harberger declined to cash
the check unless Williams was vouched
for, when Williams said they would vouch
for him at the office of the Top MILL or
he would so out and bring some one back
with him Williams left the check and
went away, but did not return and white
Mr.. Harberger was waiting for him Mr.
Jacobs came in, and being apprized of the
situation, added his own little experience
The police were then notified of the mans
operations, and Williams was traced
down to the Fifth ward, where he was
seen, but before an officer could be called
he had jumped on street car and was
next heard Of in Benwood. A telephone
message was sent to the authorities there.
but trace of Williams was lost, and he
either went to Moundsville or crossed the
river to Bellaire.
1t is probable the fellow has worked
in this city or vicinity, and he should be
looked out for.
The two checks used in yesterdays OPP
erations were at police headquarters yes
terday afternoon. where they will be held
as evidence against Williams, should he
be caught