Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-06
PASSED BOGUS CHECK
Uruguayan Minister Swim
died by Countryman.
TOLD A SAD STORY
MR.. DIAZ EASILY TAKEN IN BY A
SMOOTH STRANGER.
Police Now Have the Matter in Hand
Capt. Boardman Told Of
Other Cases.
TOLD A SAD STORY

While the Italian ambassador was en-
gagged In an investigation of the killing of
an Italian subject in Virginia, and a real
live countess from Austria, who was not
looking for a wealthy husband, was under
arrest and having falnting spells, young
man supposed to have come here from Uru-
quay succeeded in relieving the minister
from that country of nearly 800. 1t ap-
peared an easy matter for the young man
to impose upon Senior DIR. Eduardo Acevedo
Diaz. the Uruguayan minister. and get his
cash. The young man visited the legation
the latter part of last week and the Incl
dent was reported to the police this week.
Not having met with any success in the
matter of apprehending the smooth talker,
Capt. Boardman prepared a circular yester-
day and sent copies Of them out to the po-
lice department Of other cities, asking their
assistance in the matter. At the time the
stranger called at the house of the minister
he said he was student from Uruguay's
capital and had come here to spend his va
cation. Part of his vacation had been
pleasantly spent in the west, he said but
while coming through Cincinnati he was
robbed of all his belongings.
What I would like to have said the
young man, sis money enough to take me
u. L
the chief of police sent for me to come
there immediately.
He suggested that a loan of S25 would
greatly assist him in getting to Cincinnati
and recovering his property. There was
no reason to suspect that the caller was
not just what he represented himself to be
and the minister told him he had better
take $35. to be on the safe side. There was
nothing about the conduct of the man with
the hard-luck story to indicate that he was
,ir,er and !, a
minister and his secretary were very much
impressed by him. Taking the $50 the
stranger went away, after showing his
gratitude in a manner characteristic of the
South American people. He remained away
long enough to have made a trip to Cincin-
natl, but it is evident that he did not go
there. Returning to the legation late in the
afternoon last Saturday, the young man had
cheering news to tell those who had be-
friended him. He had met with success
in Cincinnati. he told the minister and his
secretary and had been given check by
the chief of police for $500. The check was
produced, and although the name signed to
it was not that of the police chief in Gin
cinnau the minister and his secretary knew
nothing to the contrary. 1t was after bank
ing hours and the minister consented to
cash the check. The money was given him
and he departed
Check Was Worthless.
It was soon ascertained that the check
was worthless, and then Capt. Boardman,
acting chief of police. was appealed to for
assistance. He detailed several detectives
on the case and they made an investiga-
ton.
Touched Two Others.
During the investigation of the case it de-
veloped that the ministers from two other
South American countries had had expe-
riences with Manuel Echegaray, as he called
himself The check for $500 that was cashed
by the minister from Uruguay was made
payable at Riggs Bank.
The Argentine representative was also a
victim of the alleged confidence man. Eche-
garay, 1t is stated, speaks several languages
and was able to converse with Diaz with
out any trouble.
In the circular sent out yesterday after
noon by Capt. Boardman the name and de-
scription Of the man wanted are given as
follows:
Manuel Echegaray, Uruguayan, TWEEN
ty-two years old. feet or Z. medium
build. dark hair and eyes. smooth pale face,
high cheek bones, large nose, prominent
chin, wears light or dark suit, black derby
hat very neat appearances; speaks Spanish
fiuently and English with foreign accent"
There Is nothing In the circular to indicate
the identity of the persons from whom
money was obtained, but an explanation of
his conduct is given as follows:
His scheme is to visit the representatives
OF South American governments and repre-
sent that he has been robbed of his money
and personal effects and ask that he be fur
nished with sufficient money to pay his way
to the city in which he was robbed.
While here he represented that he was
robbed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and secured
money from two different parties to pay his
way to that city, where he claimed the thief
had been arrested and the property recov-
cred.
In addition thereto he secured on April %
$3.50 by means of worthless check drawn
on local bank in favor of Manuel Esche-
garay and signed by Albert Ward"
The circular concludes with the request
that the man wanted be arrested and de-
tanned for the local department.