The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-24
SWELL SW|NDLER
FROM THE SOUTH
RUN TO EARTH
ViCtinized Firms in
Eastern Cities.
GOT HIS WORK PLANNED HERE
NEGOTIATING FOR IMMENSE
SUPPLIES OF WINE.
Represented Himself as an Agent of
the Argentine Republic and
Big Steamship Com
panies.
GOT HIS WORK PLANNED HERE
NEGOTIATING FOR IMMENSE
SUPPLIES OF WINE.

Amadeo Horace a native of Chile, who
has been victimizing a number OF proml-
nent people in the leading cities OF the
country. was arrested here yesterday by
Detectives Egan and T. b. Gibson ana
taken to police headquarters. When the
detectives reached the corner of Larkin
and McAllister streets Horace made
break for liberty. He dashed up ASH
avenue the detectives following and blow
ing their police whistles. Policeman u
Green happened to be leaving the CEN
trail station at the time and he soon over
hauled the fugitive.
In New York Horace assumed the name
of Robert Alberto; in Baltimore, Robert
Redeschi: in Chicago, Robert Armenino.
and in this city A. Raggio. He made his
aopearance in New York about three
months ago, representing hlmse!f as an
agent of the Argentine Republic, sent
there to purchase cannon and small arms
in secret on account of the troubles De
tween the republic and Chile. He put up
at a first-class hotel and soon succeeded
in swindling Frank K CAGE, a shipowner
of Baltimore, who happened to be visit
ing in New York, out of $500 by pretend
ing to buy a ship from him. He also got
$500 from NJ. Piva of the firm of Etienne
Givernaud & Bro, silk merchants, Green
street New York, by pretending to be
able to build sawmills for MIN In Argen-
tina These were only two OF his many
victims. 49,. -
WAS there to purchase steamers 1Ol IiiO
Argentine Republic, and in Chicago he
was the son of Robert Armen1no, a
wealthy merchant of Genoa, Italy, and
was to start a branch of the business
there He arrived here about ten days
ago and soon got to work. He entered
INTO contract with President Sbarboro
Of the Italian-Swiss colony to supply him
with 5000 barrels of wine, to be shipped
70 Argentina and negotiated with Will
frid r Chairman, commission merchant.
for vessel to carry the cargo. He also
Contracted with B. Severns of Sonoma
County and c. Carpi & Co., Sacramento
street. for large supplies of wine. He
sought an introduction to Irving M. Scott
into negotiations for the building of a
large steel steamship.
Chief Lees learned of his work through
a copy of the Italian edition of the New
York Herald of November II: which 1nt1-
mated that he was heading for this city.
| The Chief placed himself in comunica-
tjon with the swindled firms and others
and satisfied himself that the man was a
| fraud after he personally ascer-
| tanned that he had arrived here;
| Then he put Detectives Egan and
Gibson on the case, with the result or the
swindler's arrest. He admitted to the
| Chief that he was a swindler, but at pres
! ont the Chief does not know what 70 do
| with him as he has not done anything
/ here to place himself within the meshes
! of the law He will be detained TIL 1t Is
! seen whether he is wanted in the East.
! Horace says he was born In santiago
] Chile. and that he is 81 years OF age; ne
| was educated in the POLYTECHNIC college,
| Genoa Italy, and was an engineer anu
! draughtsman.