The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-20
WHY RHODES
LEFT HOME.
Left His Friends to Pay Debts
OF q Million.
Was Once a Pillar of PhiIadeI-
phfa's SOIidity.
OVER 1000 DWELLINGS
Built by Him, but With Other
Peoples Money.
He Was . Prince of PreVarica-
tors.

Philadelphia, Jan. GOWN. Rhodes,
long regarded as one OF the most sue
cessful operative builders in Philadel-
phia, has decamped, leaving behind I'M
paid debts amounting to 1000, 900. His
victims include poor as well as wealthy
friends and relatives as well as business
acquaintance, women as well as men,
and tradesmen innumerable.
His house has been closed for several
weeks and he has succeeded in battling
the detectives, frequently visiting the
city within the last fortnight, though
warrants had been issued for his arrest
Three Of Rhodes victims parted with
more than 100000. half a dozen others
loaned him from $4,000 to $40, 900 each
and a score are poorer by from $40, 900
to $40, 900.
The missing builder was well connect
ed in this city. He and Ex-Governor
Robert E. PattiSon married sisters. Mrs
Rhodes and children are now staying
at the residence of Ex-Governor Patti
son at Overlook.
Rhodes came into prominence 10 or II
years ago and since then has built more
than 1000 dwellings in this city. His
outlay Of several million dollars. He
lived iuxuriously and was reputed
wealthy.
Henry r. Shock, a prominent builder
ly 1,4O0 was repaid, said today:
81 consider Rhodes not a prince OF
liars, but the king of that tribe. He
was the smoothest and most plausible
fellow that ever saw. 1t was because
of my great confidence in him that
advanced him the money.
But am not alone, there were 9TH
ers who were caught just as neatly az
myself. He seems to have stuck every
body around here. There are two men
who parted with at least 500, 900, and a
whole company of people who gave up
anywhere from $4,000 to $3.50
This fellow is evidently a match for
the whole force OF detectives and since
his disappearance he is said to have
been in Philadelphia two or three times,
and one occasion he lodged no less than
lat that time one officer Swallowed
my house, another watched the house
in which Rhodes formerly resided, an
other stood in front of the house of my
attorney and a fourth watched the
house of Rhodes brother.
It understand that he is now in New
York, but that he is said to have been
at a hotel in this city only a few days
ago where he registered as Vim. H.
Groves OF Wilmington.
Rhodes could tell the most astound-
ing tales in a way that one could not
doubt their truth, but they proved false
just the same. 1t has not been very
long ago that he came to me and said
that he had put up $4,000 on piece
of property. He said that unless he
could raise $12,50e promptly he would
lose the first named amount.
81 loaned him the money and after
wards learned that the story was not
true. He did pay back S1,4o0 of that
amount, but that was all he ever re-
turned to me.
His manner of getting the money
from me was sensational He told me
willing to let his soul burn eternal1y.
and his wife and children should come
to want If he failed to return the same
in forty-eight hours.
Rhodes was the picture of misery,
and he crawled across the carpet in my
house like a dog as he went on his
knees to beg me for the money. I asked
him If he would put that security in
writing, and he said he would, and I
have it in black and white.
THE house in which he resided IS
mine, but that did not prevent him from
going to a woman and securing a loan
of S1O,OO0-every cent she had saved
giving her a mortgage on my house.
But he was clever enough to get that
mortgage back.
When I levied on the furniture in
his house he had a bill of sale executed
by a friend, and he took it to friend
of mine and obtained $1,000 for the
goods when they were mine and not his.
when 1 learned of that 1 told him
in jail and then he blandly told me
that if that was so he would prevent me
from hauling the furniture away
ct could not make public the names of
others who have lost money through
their misplaced confidence in this fell
low. One man, a well known wool
merchant, told me that his loss was
about $125, 900.
st have been Informed that the late
Mr.. Singerly advanced 500, 900. Then
there is a man well known in public life
who is said to have dropped about $685.
900. and another builder, I have heard,
"A well known firm of aucttoneers
contributed about S35, 000.''
1t is said that the list of Rhodes vic
Tins includes several school teachers.