The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-24
A SLICK SWIxDLER.
Two Providence Conccyns Victimized
by a Confidence Man.
Got $500 by CashIng Bogus Check and
Bought 5000 Worth Of Diamonds.

Detective Parker and his assistants
are Keeping sharp watch for rather
slick individual who succeeded I'm
swindling certain Providence business
firms out OF money and property TO
the amount Of $500, but up to the pres
ent time no clue 10 his Whereabouts
nave been discovered
This individual who is about A. years
of age came 70 Providence and repre-
sented himself To be G. w Haokett Jr..
son OF {. w. Hackett. president OF the
Hackett Hardware Company OF St
/ Paul, Mimi, one OF the best known
! business corporations i'm the Northwest
! The young man called on the Nichol-
J son F1le Company on December 10 He
| was ready talker and of a particu-
iafIy gentlemanly address and appear
ing so thoroughly familiar with all bus
mess details that he was able To carry
OUT his part without arousing the
slightest suspicion on the part of the
president or treasurer of the Nicholson
File Company, with whom ne talked
lie then drove TO the offices of the
American Screw Company. i'm Mr.. Mich
olsons carriage, and was very pleas
antly received. Here he again talked
huently about business and as he was
about To leave he casually remarked
that he thought he would go back to
the hle company ana get check cashed
as he was getting a little short of funds
The treasurer of the screw company
volunteered To cash il for him and the
visitor did not demur. He placed the
S2OO which he received for the worth
less bit of paper in his pocketbook and |
then went down town with Mr.. Nealy. |
the treasurer of the screw company, |
for lunch.
While at lunch he suggested that he |
would be at his home By Christmas |
ana must get his wife a present. and |
he thought pair OF diamond ear chops |
would be the proper thing. Mr.. Nealy |
remarked that She Tilden-Thurber
company was an excellent place for
such purchases, and after lunch the
two visited the store. and the so-called
Mr.. Hackett selected n pair of ear
drops the price of which was $500.
These suited him exactly. but he told
the clerk that he must wait until ne
returned to st. Paul. when he would
send his check for the amount The
clerk was glad To make such good
sale so easily and on referring the mat
Ter To n member of the firm found that |
the affa af+g Af44etf+- would be satisfactory
Directions were given for the dia-
nonds 10 be sent To No. l6S Fourth |
street, st. Paul. Mimi, and they were
W Nalutu dCtoTulnElN, Dul instead OF |
going TO the proper address they came
nto the hands of the real G.. w. Hack
TT. the head of the O. w Hackett
Hardware Company. Naturally. after |
signing for the package and opening
he box he was surprised To see the
,rilliants. There was nothing I'm the
'ox 10 explain who had sent the dia-
nonds. and as Mr.. Hackett had ordered | ,
one he was completely mystifed.
few days before the st. Paul police !
ad received "a telegram from the Prov
lence police asking that c. w. Hack ,
tt be arrested on the charge of forgery ,
no obtaining goods under false pre- }
ences Following this request came
check for 5000 drawn on a ST Paul | !
ank and signed by Mr.. Uackett. This !
'as the first that Mr.. Hackett knew =
hat some one was using his name for :
riminal purposes. The check was re- \
irned and reached last Saturday. The y
merican Screw Company atJ once ,
laced the matter i'm the hands of the =
electives here. =
Detective Parker has asked for the ;
turn OF the diamonds. and they are q
tpected TO arrive at anv moment, and
lus the Tilden-Thurber Company 4
ses nothing by the operations OF the :,
vindler. but the American Screw \
is out $500. Mr.. Hackett of u
:. Paul. has placed the matter i'm the \,
inds or Chief Goss of the ST. Paul IL
'lice and the Pinkerton detectives. "a
elective Parker here is corresponding -
th the 81. Paul police. but as yet no .,
Unite clues have been obtained \