The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-10
MR.. STERN HAS
AN ADVENTURE
Baltimore Sharpers Seek to Fleece a
Richmond Man.
ASCHEME TO MAKE REAL GOLD,
" Millions in It," Said the Smooth
Schcmers, but the Nirginian, Equal
to Occasion. Asks for a Prac-
tical Demonstration.

An attempt made to inyeigle a we'll
known Richmond man into a scheme very
much similar TO the famous gold-brick
swindle Of recent years. came to light
Yesterday. The plans unfolded 10 the
Richmonder were asserted 10 solve the
ancient problem Of aichemis,s who sought
] TO discover a method OF transmitting other
substances into gold-a feat which nature
has consistently frustrated from the ear
lest time to this. Nevertheless, the pro-
moters of the new scheme, who professed
TO desire the inclusion Of the Nirginian
in the company of three to be formed FOR
utilizing the discovery In a commercial
way. were ingenious takers, whose elo-
quent PRECIPITATION of the fortune in store
for the proposed company failed OF the
desired effect only because the shrewd
business experience Of the Richmond man
convinced lin that he would best be
wary. re plead for time to consider, ana
] suggested that iu the interval a practical
demonstration Of the success of the m
yentlon or discovery would incline him TO
a favorable consideration.
THE LETTER
Mr.. Samuel Stern. the well-knoWn East
End politician and president of the John
w. Daniel Democratic Club, is the Rich
mond mau rcsryrcd to. His recent Trip
t. Baltimore vas in response 10 the fol-
lowing short, yagely-suggestive COM
mlmicatiOn:
Mr.. Sam stern, Richmond. Va:
Dear Sir-Please come 90 Baltimore at
once. You won't be sorry for coming.
come without delay. as there IS a fortune
iu it for as. and millions for you and
your children and grandchildren. If you
conn and don't like it, we pay your eN-
penses.'
Tbe letter was signed 10y a Baltimore
man whom Mir. Stern knew personally as
a real estate dealer some years ago, and
also by a notary public.
DECIDED TO co.
Mr.. stern turned the matter over In
his mind. and wondered what the under
taking could be that would bring in 80
much money. Beins I'm business FOR the
p%ecunlary consideration 70 be derived
from HIS energy. and not simply for MS
health or the honor Of hanging up a
consuicuous sign consisting Of three
balls, an glittering in the sunlight Mr'
Stern forthwith prepared for The trip.
with a clean shave and a soul fun OF am
ticlpation. he arrived in Baltimore Non
day afternoon last about Q o'clock.
He was met I'm the Union Station there
? by the two business men from whom le
received the proposition 70 come 10 the
Monumental City. one OF these Mr.. stern
had met in philadelphia sixteen years ago
and ag8in he had met him i'm Baltimore
four years later. Since that time he had
not seen him. The other man who was Il
friend Of the real estate man, a cart
ner in the gold scheme with him. was moi
% personal acquaintance OF Stern DIV
ne is q notary public in Baltimore, end
w~ell-known there. Both men are prop
ertv owners. Mr.. Stern says. and d1 a
very good business lie did not care to
give their names unless the propoat'lpA
should develop into the signing of bona
Gde contracts. under which the s'hel"e
shouId be launched and prosecuted d' a
purely legitimate business venture.
A few minutes after the usual greetings
and Introduction TO The stranger Mi
stern found himself in the Office OF the
real estate agent on Pratt street ~
stranger was awaiting them. Tie was a
foll. hcavy-set fellow. viii an Intelligent
face and am easy manner. re was d"
Gcrman. but had been living i'm this coun-
try many years. aad had resided M BAL
q INNtIfNNE jolt AHNNf EAhNf'N aN1--f
Ing to the story told stern.
INVENTOR AND HIS DISCOVERY.
This man was a shoemaker by trade.
but had invented an Ice box which per
formed all the functions of "a hfst-rdte re
friecrat0r without the use Of Ice. lie
had made a number of experiments by
which to eventually realize a mammoth
fortune. but his latest enterprise which
seemed almost certain to develop into q
wonderfully lucrative business was the
discovery of "a process by which he could
manufacture genuine 22-carat gold with
comparatively small expenditure Tor ma
ter.als. II was a great scientific discoN-
cry. he declared. and would make millions
for those who formed a little trust amons
themselves by getting i'm on the ground
floor and making no request for am e.e-
vator 90 remove them thelefrom.
This scheme was laid out In attracuNe
fashion before Mr.. Stern, whose eyes al
first commenced 10 bulge with The visions
Of wealth spread out like a Narl-hueu
cloud picture before him.
All this took place IN "a private office as
d kind of star chamber meeting
The two business men declared
that they we've prepared TO sign
contract with a man named
Graft. the discoverer, to make this gold
and sell it far aud wide IN the large cities
Of this country and Europe. The plan
was 10 take In Mr.. Stern as a third-in
tercst partner. and he was TO put UP a
certain amount TO start on. Graft him
self stated that I'm the manufacture OF
this gold he used petroleum. and several
other kinds OF oils. together with certain
acids mixed carefully in mathematical
proportions. Certain amounts Of real
gold and silver were used. All Of these
should be put into warm sand and buried.
4 certain steam pressure would be turn
ca on. and the ingredients subjected TO
this for so many days, hours. minutes and
seconds by actual time measurement
Five months. two days. nine hours, four
minutes and one-thlrd % a second would
be required To- make gold under certain
conditions. while with silver, oriental
ointment and certain other ingredients,
the desired result could be obtained Ia a
little over twelve days under special hot
air. and steam and powerful illuminating
processes.
KING SOLOMON'S SCHEME.
Graft had a very OLD book which he
claimed to DE many hundred years OF age
and which he declared came down from
generation 10 generation through a reg
ular succession of magicians and wise
men from the time Of King solomon.
This book contained Hebrew. Latin and
Greek explanations OF how solomon him
self IN an his wisdom and with all his