The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23
KANSAS NEWS.
A Fort Scott Man is BuncOed by
Spaniards.
Made to Believe a Relative Had
Left Him Money.
HE SENDS THEM $3.50.
Is Warned and Stops Letter by
Telegram.
The Game deliberately Worked
by the Swindler.

Fort Scott, May pa unique and
gigantic swindle attempted by Span
iards at Valencia, Spain, evidently by
men of high authority, has just been
exposed in this city by Secretary of
State Hay.
The swindlers chose for their victim
William Sturm. a prominent man Of
this town who is a Spanish descendant
BY some means the attempted sWindlerS
obtained Mr.. Sturm's address and the
name of his sister, Pfellesia Sturm, who
lives in Spain. They learned that he
and his sister had not been in COM
munication with each other for almost
thirty years. A letter was addressed to
him by a man named Allendall, who
claimed to have been General Weylers
private secretary and treasurer in the
Cuban campaign. He represented that
upon his return to Spain to attend the
Obsequies of his wife, who was Mr..
Sturm's sister, he had been arrested by
the military authorities and condemned
to fifteen years in the military prison at
Valencia; that while serving under
Weyler in Cuba he had acquired a for
tune of $175,0000 which he had deposited
in bank in London. The certificate
of deposit was hidden, he said, in the
false bottom of a pOrtmanteau which
had been confiscated by the Spanish au-
thoTities He was in poor health-in
fact expected that this would be his
last letter, as his aiIment was inevita-
oily fatal-and he would leave an only
daughter, now in college in Spain. She
would be left, without a protector, but
would inherit his entire fortune. 1t
was his desire to have her come to live
with Mr.. Sturm, who would be made
her protector and by his will would in
herit a fourth of his estate in considera-
ton of his caring for her.
Mr.. Sturm thought the story reason
able and consented to become the girls
guardian. Later he received an affec-
uonate letter from the girl, enclosing
her picture. Then came the news of
her fathers death and a letter from
priest of the prison whom he had made
his confidante. In accordance with ar
now deceased brother-in-law, the priest
was to act as their Spanish agent and
obtain the release of the pOrtmanteau
and other valuable effects. This would
require some money, and Mr.. Sturm
was to furnish 1t. After considers BILE
correspondence the priest asked ESQ
($750), and Mr.. Sturm finally RENTED
it.
He had previously, however written
to Secretary of State Hay, inquiring
about the deal. Mr. Hay had not re-
piled and Mr.. Sturm had abandoned
hope of hearing from him. The day
after he RENTED the money he received
a letter from Mr.. Hay, saying he had
investigated and found the Spaniards
to be swindlers, operating through
agents in this country. Mr.. Sturm
wired to New York and had the letter
containing his draft intercepted by the
poStotfice authorities. He has been as
sured that the United States govern
ment will attempt to cause the prosecu-
ceived from Second Assistant Secretary
Adee by Mr.. Sturm says Uncle Sam is
in correspondence with the Spanish
government over the matter.