The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-01
PLEA FOR HIS DAUGHTER
AN INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS MAN
RECEIVES A PITIFUL LETTER,
Which Is Pronounced n Rank Swindle
-Purports to Come from a Pris-
oner in Spain.

A new form Of swindie is now being
worked through the mails and yesterday
one of the prominent business men Of the
city received probably the first letter in
this scheme that has been received here. 1t
is Of comparatively recent origin, although
the postoffice officials have heard of 1t for
the past month or two. The letter is mailed
In Madrid, Spain, and wherever an 'I'
should be used, the letter ''Y" is used. The
letter is written with Pen and is as follows:
My Dear sir-Being placed into a very
hard trouble without being able by myself
to come out of Ii by the great conflict made
by my situation and knowing your gener-
osity and noble feelings, write to you
am going TO make to YOU although foreign
ers to each other, only by telling you that
my mother was a near relative TO your fam
lily and that by her name - you shall
understand our blood relationship. The prin-
cipal reason for my addressing TO you, even
having never entertained any relations with
in spite of the differences that compelled
her TO entertain not anyones with her pa
ternal relatives only spoke me very highly
and consequently wholly sure that you
shall keep great discretion about the con-
Ta OF this nett What re s TO you to fe
you. Y also write TO you because as you are
In a free country in which Y shall be able
is easier for me that my young daughter,
only fourteen years old. may find at your
side and under your protection the future
that have assured for her out of the
troubles that she would find here. Y fear
even that this letter may not reach you, but
III inc circums tances in which am.
cannot await any more. AS my father was
a great engineer, who worked many years
under the direction of MIR. Ferdinand Les
seps, and he succeeded to take a part in
the studying OF the great works for the
opening of the nteroceanic canal of Pana-
ma, 1t was also very easy for me to obtain
a good employ under Mr.. Lesseps protection
in the counting house Of that company, see
ing every day in raise in favor toward me,
when had the misfortune OF losing my
father, whose loss was followed year after
by the decease of my mother and wife, who
left me as my only comfort, my beautiful
daughter This little piece of my heart gave
my duty to the best Y was able to and by
that means was soon a necessary man in
all the company's business, succeeding at
last TO obtain also the protection of a great
banker, who was the soul of It, if 1T can so
be said, of all the association 1t was when
was beginning to have good shot that
the political rivalities of French brought
the great tumults Of the House Of Com
mons on France and made that French
press was converted in dsordered libeling
in which was left the honour of the highest
personalities OF France, whose events are
perfectly known. by ali and consequently
useless for me to tell them. AS a conse-
quence of all what happened you can sup
| pose that acted under great prudence,
placing all my property in surety and out
accusations were produced travelled un-
der all precautions and went to London
where. in sure bank, placed my stock
In manner that II could be returned when
| and by whom Y would wish. After my short
and secret remaining in London, turned
back to my employ in Paris awaiting i'm
passble the coming hour, never thinking,
| however, that they should come to so fatal
| an end. In that Y could not await instruc-
tons from anybody and acting myself and
| under my only responsibility carried out
| a perilous act in great critical moments
and saved values Of the greatest consid-
| Grafton and very important documents, but
my acting left me in very great danger
| and consequently cleverly disguised new
ly left France and went to England"
In this style the letter continues the story
The writer was in such danger Of arrest
| that he put these notes and papers, to
the value of sss.6O0. or $4,000. in secret
drawer in his baggage. He lived in small
town in England and then went to Gibraltar
where his daughter was brought to meet
him. From Gibraltar they went to Spain
and in Madrid he was arrested but made
such resistance that he was shot and was
unconscious for month. He was taken to
France. Then he was returned to Spain to
be tried for killing the officer sent to arres,
him. The chaplain of the prison has great
sympathy for him and his proposition is that
| the man to whom the letter was sent shall
SSl Ills papers ana DrlDS MS daughter &c
this country. No instructions are given, but
| the letter states that if he will do so full in
structions will be sent him at once. The
| reply is to be sent in care of the priest who
will carry it to the prisoner.
Postmaster Hess yesterday received from
| one Of the prominent business men of this
city some green-goods circulars that haG
| been sent to him. Accompanying the circu
lars was the following. letter to Mr.. Hess
Eve inclose herewith a proposition from one
of the philanthropists with which the Eas
| abounds but which, unfortunately, owing L
| a press Of other business, we are unable Il
| avail ourselves Of Perhaps some of the
young men in your department, to whom tn,
| civil service offers a toilsome and weary
| road to fortune, may be glad to embrace
the opportunity of gaining an af1uence at
| single bound. Or perhaps you may be in
| position TO do something with it,
Mr.. Hess replied that he had submitted tn,
proposition to several Of his young men, bu
in their blind stupidity they refused to TAX,
| advantage of ii.