New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-02-19
CATCH A NOTED SWINDLER
PREY ON 8 CONTINENTS.
Harry SiIberberg, Who Imperson-
0ted j. G. Drayton, Taken.

Harry Silberberg. who has a score of aliases
q swindler who has found his prey in three
continents. and whose greatest exploit was
his impersonation at different times of J.
Coleman Drayton, the lawyer of this city. and
son-in-law of Mrs. William Astor, was arrested
yesterday afternoon at 70th-st. and Broadway
Detective Sergeants McCauley and McCafferty
Of the Central Office. made the arrest at the or
ders Of Acting Inspector O'Brien, of the Detec-
tive Bureau. O'Brien declares that the arrest
has some connection with a swindling game of
large proportions even for SiIverberg and that
Il was to reach !ts climax on Monday, when the
prisoner was TO receive $4,000 from one of his
latest 6upes
O'Brien says he learned Of Silberbergs pres
enoe in this city February by a telegram
from Chief Kiely. OF the ST. Louis police KieIy,s
only reason for sending the news of Silberbergs
presence here. according to O'Brien, was or
dinary friendliness between police officials, but
the impression prevailed at Police Headquarters
that Kelly knew that O'Brien wanted to get his
hands on Sil5erberg for some particular reason
McCauley and McCaTery had been looking for
silberberg in all possible haunts, and yesterday
afternoon they found him by accident while they
were walking UP Broadway. They met him face
TO face Both were familiar with his features
from study Of photographs in the Rogues' Gal
lery and a recent picture sent to O'Brien by
Kielv, and recognized him at once. He wore
long black coat and silk hat
Said AfCanery. looking the square in the
face: Il believe you are Silberberg."
The man politely declared that his name was
Young "P. c. Young is one Of snverbergs
aliases.
u haven't done anything for nine years" he
told the detectives. At Headquarters he said he
was j. Conyngham, a journalist He was
locked up as a "disorderly person"
TWO kilograms found on Siberberg were made
public by Inspector O'Brien. One of them was
sent. on February s. from York. Penn. to
Tyikesbarre, Penn. being addressed to j. C.
Young Hotel Sterling, Wilkesbarre, Penn" 1t
read: "'Phone me tomorrow about 8. Closed
with party-George w. Porter" The other tel
egrafn was addressed TO j. c. Young, Allen
House. Lancaster, Penn" and read: Lancaster
letter received: Important reply Friday to
WIlkesbarre; love.-May."
Silberberg at one time hired a private and,
with several accomplices, went TO Lancaster.
Penn. and other Pennsylvania towns. ostensibly
as a promoter for the Arizona Consolidated
Mining Company" which later found to
have existed only in the literature which
the supposed y. Coleman Drayton' issued
about it. He gained the confidence OF
many wealthy Pennsylvanians. At Lancas-
ter he addressed a gathering Of prospective in
vestors IN Arizona Consolidated" at which
great enthusiasm was shown. Silverberg found
# best 10 leave town suddenly.
He was next heard Of in Germany where he
became acquainted with members of the nobil-
fly whom he swindled right and left. He was
in jail in Munich for q while, but pardoned.
He appeared next in Mexico. and put in jail
there This time. it is said. he gained freedom
through the influence Of wealthy Hebrews Of
Mexico City, whom. he told he the of
rabbi
Two years ago. in repentance, Siberberg made
a confession as to the remarkable incidents Of
his career. He admitted. in this confession.
more than a thousand swindling operations, and
marrying and deserting several wives. He said
that ne couldn't help doing these things
Among Silberberg's aliases. besides the Dray-
Ton one have been these: J. Dalton, c. J. Whit
tington. Henry Goldstein, Whitney H. Forsyth.
Jackson Cummings, Henry Davis Henry Sider-
berg and J. J. Craig.
on one occasion the prisoner met face to face
the Mr.. Drayton whom he impersonated The
latter was too surprised to take any action be-
fore The other got away. Silberberg assured
Mr. Drayton that he had a right TO the name
'J. c. Drayton.'
One OF Silberberg's conquests was countess
whom he met in Vienna and who stood by MIN
through difficulties. The imprisonment in Ger
many was due TO the final discovery by J. Cole
man IDrayton of the impersonation-