The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-02-24
+. B. Clayton Arrested at.
the Hotel Washington
Is Accused Of
Swindling.
HOW The GAME WAS PLAYED
The New York Accomp Ices
Worked One End While
tie Jersey Prisoner
Posed as a Needy
Invalid.

H. B. Clayton, an alleged swindler,
was arrested at the Hotel Washington
charged with working the sick engi-
neer" game. His arrest was in connec-
ton with that in New York of man
who gave his name as Clayton, and sub
sequently as Mr.. Montez. Clayton
posed in this city as the .'sick engineer"
The story of the two arrests is one
of dramatic interest. An advertisement
recently appeared in New York papers
as follows:
Amy one with 5000 cash can make
so per cent. on the same in a short time;
legitimate business deal; handle own
money; appoint interview. a. A.
The New York police looked upon the
advertisement as fshy and Detective
McKenna, assisted 10y Detectives Deeyey
and Carsassa. was assigned to investi-
gate Pretending that he was a retired
book dealer from Boston he arranged
for an interview at the Metropolitan
Hotel after getting into communication
with III. B. Clayton McKenna intro
duced himself as Richard Morris. Clay
ton told him that he knew sick engi-
neer who wanted TO sell his Eagle Gold
and Copper Mining stock az 50 a share,
although 1t was worth a share. Nc
kenna told Clayton he had never been
in New York before and Clayton showed
him Wall street yesterday. He pointed
out Trinity church and declared his
great grandfather had been baptized
there. Down where the Broad street
curb brokers play Clayton diyed into
the crowd ana came back saying
They're all yelling for Eagle Gold
and Copper at $3.75"
Clayton took McISenna into Jules $.
Bache's Office at No. 80 New street and
asked for the quotation on Eagle Gold
and Copper stock. He was told that ne
record Of the stock could be found and
it was certainly not an active one.
..You see. said Clayton to McKenna,
..they can't get any to deal in. It's
scarce stock, i tell YOU
The couple then came to this city and
went to the Hotel Washington. In Room
No. 1o2 they found the sick engineer.
He was introduced as Mr. Montez. "
appeared to be badly crippled with
rheumatism. anu he certainly was good at
groaning. He had no heart for business,
bur he wanted ready cash, even at a great
sacrifice. After considerable talk he
produced greasy looking wallet from
under the mattress. In this wallet were
1000 shares of the stock. McKenna
agreed to buy It. bnt said he would have
to come back to this city for the money.
Once on the other side of the river, Nc
Kenna arrested Clayton, much to his sur
prise. At Headquarters Clayton gave
his name as Frank Montez, and in Jersey
City, when Chief of Police Murphy
bagged the other swindler, that invalid
gave his name as Horatio B. CLAYTON and
Immediately recovered his health. II is
doubtful If O'Brien can hold his. prisoner,
but Chief Murphy thinks he can send his
man to jail for alleged swindling. This
one had an opium layout which was
seized
There is some little doubt as to which
is Clayton and which is Montez. The one
arrested yesterday afternoon had given
both names, He was arrested BY Detec-
tive Sergeant Clark. When asked by the
Chief how he recovered 50 quickly from
his rheumatism he laughed heartily and
agreed with tlle Chief that it must have
been due to te influence of Jersey air.
He was held in $1,000 for herring TO-
morrow morning. While no crime Was
perpetrated the Chief thinks that lie can
convict him on the eharge If attempting
to swiasile.
The local swinaler IS a eo0d-loabing.
snave-manneresl man ef ! twenty eight. tall
and dark eompleetsa. II vese eFax
enette coat.