Evening star., 1901-07-20
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
GRAIN DEALER vICTIMIZED BY AN
ALLEGED sWINDLER.
Charter Issued to Warrington
Corporation Formed to Erect
Apartment Houses,
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King Street,
Bell Telephone No loR

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July 20, 1901.
The police department has been notified
OF a swindle which was worked on Mr.
b. Watkins, a grain and feed dealer of
this city. by man representing himself to
be j. w. Molts, an agent for the quarter
masters department of the government
station at st. Asaph BY the transaction,
which occurred Thursday Mr.. Watkins
was defrauded out of 200 bushels of oats
worth about $50. The police of this city
and Washington have a description of the
swindler, and efforts are being made for
his apprehension.
according to the account given by Mr..
watkins man appeared at his place of
business on King street Wednesday morn
ing, stating that his name was Molts, and
tnat he was an agent for the government.
ana was looking about with view of pur-
CHASING a large supply of feed stuff for the
quartermaster's department at St. Asaph.
lie said he would return Thursday which
ne did, and negotiated for the purchase of
ABOUT $500 worth Of hay and oats. That
day Mr. Watkins sent two wagons con-
tanning In all about 200 bushels Of oats.
TO the stables on the government grounds
at st. Asaph. The goods were duly de-
livered, and nothing more was thought of
the matter until yesterday, when the pur-
enaser did not return to the store, as he
had arranged with Mr.. Watkins to do
yesterday afternoon the suspicious of Mr.
watkins became aroused by the mans
continued absence. and 1t was decided to
look into the matter. Inquiry by telephone
at the government office at ST. Asaph es-
tablished the fears of the proprietor that
he had been swindled. Nothing was known
about the man as described. and it was
stated that he was not In the employ of
the government at that place.
Mr.. Watkins called at st. Asaph and as
certained that the goods, after havin been
deposited at the government stables. had
tion of Washington. At the south end OF
Long bridge Mr.. Watkins stopped at the
off1ce Of c. F. Wilkins & Son, feed deal
ers. Here he ascertained that man an
appeared Thursday with 200 bushels of
oats for sale. He explained that he was
from Ohio, and gave his name as Peter
son He said he had supplied the govern
a small quantity left over, which he was
willing to part with at a small figure, to
avoid payment of railroad freight. The
bargain was closed at SO cents per bushel,
this being, 1t is stated, cents under the
wholesale market price. The bags, which
also belonged to Mr.. Watkins. and which
were worth about cents apiece were sold
for cents.
The stranger is described as being tall
and slender. with a smooth face. He was
about forty-f1ve years of age and wore q
light felt hat and tan shoes. The details Of
the affair, which just became known this
iAioi nave CduSeu great surprise mere,
and it is regarded as one Of the most
cleverly executed swindles that has occur
red in this city for years.
Charged With Stealing Pocket Book.
William King, a small colored boy, was
arrested this morning by Lieutenant Smith
on the charge Of robbing a little daughter
Of Mrs. c. H. Culver, residing at $40 North
Fairfax street. Of a pocket book containing
$3.50. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Culver
was in a store on King street, and her lit
tie daughter was standing In the door,
when a small boy, believed to be King,
came by and snatched the purse from her
hand. King will be tried Monday.
Charter to Warrington Corporation.
Judge Norton Of the corporation court
has granted a charter to the New Century
Apartment House Company Of Washing
ton the purposes Of which are to construct
apartment houses and do a general hotel
business The capital stock was placed at
s35O00O. The following are the officers: B.
H. Warner, president; G. w. F. Swartzcl
vice president; Andrew Parker, treasurer;
Clarence B. Rheem, secretary. Mr.. James
r. Cation is the local representative.
Funeral services over the remains of Mrs.
Rebecca Greenwel, widow of John A.
Greenwell took place this morning at a:30
o'clock from St. Marys Catholic Church
Many friends and relatives were in at
tendance. The services were conducted by
Rev. Father H. ]. Cutler and the inter-
ment was made in St. Marys cemetery.
Mayor George L. Simpson. who has been
spending a week at Atlantic City, has re-
turned to his home