The Newtown bee., 1904-08-26
Ten Pages.
New Milford.


the fleecing of Dr Henry H. Hartwell of Chestnut Land district out of S5, 900 by two confidence men, who represent ed themselves as real estate agents in search of farm. Dr Hartwell has borne an excellent reputation through out his life. He has been a prudent, careful man in the management of his affairs and has accumulated about $2O,OOO. That he should give his con- fidence to two perfect strangers as- tounds all who know the man. Care full to nicety in the management of his financial affairs, in his dealings with these strangers he threw pru- dence to the winds and, as a result, to-day is mourning the loss of one quarter of his competency. It appears the sharpers first tried to work their game on Andrew c. Clark, who was too much for them. MT Clark says that on Wednesday of last week two men, who answered the description of the men who called on MT Hartwell, came to his farm and told the same story about wanting farm for the Widow Colt. The men thought they would like to look over the John An derson place, so the clerical looking chap went along with MT Clark, the other man apparently going elsewhere After looking over the farm MT Clark says he was returning to the house when they came across a rough, un- kempt looking stranger, who made some inquiries about the road. He ex- plained that he came from Alabama, and was trying to locate a sister who had married Yankee soldier after the war and settled near Bridgewater. It seems that Bridgewater was formerly MT Clark's home, so the latter became interested at once. MT Clark says the tramp went on to say that he hated the "Yankee," but he had to come up north for the purpose of giving his sister S20, 0,000 which had been left her by her father, who had just died. The father and daughter had been es- tranged because of sectional feeling, but the money was to go to her all the same. The tramp said he had plenty of ''doe skins.' MT Clark asked what he meant by "doe skins," and was shown roll of big bills. MT Clark be- lieves the money was genuine. Then the tramp took a handful of gold coin from his belt and told yarn about going into a gambling place in New York City where he won lot of money on the turn of the card marked "Ma- con-" Finally he put the money back into the belt save one piece, which he balanced on his finger, and said he would wager with MT Clark's compan- ion that he could win it on the toss up. The clerical stranger took the chance and won. After talk the two strangers tossed up for the coins each then had, as the tramp had produced another one. The clerical stranger won. The latter passed coin over to MT Clark for him to try his luck. The latter won and finally the tramp had lost $30 in gold. The two strangers, MT Clark says, began to do considera- ble wagering, the tramp losing every time. Finally the latter said he would bet SIC, 900 against $5, ,0O0 that he could win a toss. The clerical stranger asked MT Clark if he could get s5, GOO to take up the "bluff" of the half witted tramp. The latter said he would put up the SIG, ,OOO in a little box which he produced, and give the key to MT Clark to hold until the latter got the $5, 1000. MT Clark said he was willing to do that, but he wanted the clerical looking stranger to be identi- fled at the bank when he went to get the money. After some further talk the stranger demurred and MT Clark walked away.
 Anyone who reads the following let. to how the confidence men got the best of him:
 The letter was in the manifolded typewriting. It said: "Read this let ter carefully, and think we'll of what it says and see if you can afford to tell | anyone, even your wife or best friends | of what it contains.
 Dear Sir: Enclosed you will find the
 key to the box. When you get it take
 it to some quiet place where no one
 will see you and open it and you will find it empty. The contents were re-
 moved by greenhorn. Now take my advice and keep it to yourself. If you tell any one it will serve you right.
 You ought to be ashamed to have taken advantage of man whom you
 thought to be a greenhorn. If you tell, your neighbors and friends, and also your enemies will not believe you to be
 the honest man whom they thought
 you to be all along, and what will be the effect on your credit?
 You know you told lie to get the
 money and no banks will ever let you have money again for they will think you want it to take to the races or to gamble and lose it. Your credit will be ruined, so keep it quiet and pocket the loss and never gamble again. As for my partner and I, we are going to
 reform and you will never see us again. Remember the old tongue.
 Yours,
 P. s. Think we'll of the effect on you and your children should this become | known. You will be pointed out as a