Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-05
CHARGED WITH FRAUD
Everett B. Latham in Custody
Accused of Grand Larceny.
ALLEGED MINING SWINDLE
Mr. Whitman osgood Appears as the
Complainant
CAsHED DRAFT DIsHoNoRED
The Accused Man Held at First Pre-
cinct-Hearing in Police Court
Tomorrow.
ALLEGED MINING sWlNDLE
CASHED DRAFT DISH0N0RED

At the instance of the prosecuting at
torney. Ralph Given, a warrant was is
sued this forenoon for the arrest of
Everett B. Latham on the charge of
grand larceny. The complainant in the
case Is Mr.. Whitman Osgood of the Os-
good Publishing Company, room 4O4. Cor
coran building. Latham was apprehended
at noon today by Detective Cornwel on
street and taken to police headquarters.
1t is stated that the charge in the
present case is for the purpose of hold
ing Latham to answer more serious
charges to be preferred by other COM
plainants. The prisoner has temporarily
resided In Washington, part of the time
at the Victoria flats, and until recently
at 1716 H street northwest. but his resi-
dence at the latter place was terminated
May Is.
Latham is married and his wife has been
with him until recently. when she returned
| to her parents at Pontiac Mich. Latham
| Is a son of Chas. X. Latham, an attorney
at-law in Detroit He is man more than
handsomely dressed. with close-cropped
sideburns and smoothly shaved face, and of
eminently respectable appearance.
Every one with whom he was acquainted
ard with whom he has had transactions
who are now being questioned at the dis
trict attorneys office, state that he was one
of the most convincing and plausible talk
ers they ever encountered. 1t Is said the
Latham Is Of more than ordinary impor-
lance His transactions have involved him
with some of the most prominent business
| men of Washington and the United States.
Information Volunteered.
Since Latham's arrest this morning a
number of prominent Westinghouse have
called upon Prosecuting Attorney Given
and placed in his possession facts concern
Ing Latham's transactions.
The information in the present case is
sworn to by Mr.. Whitman Osgood, who,
as stated, charges Latham with the lar
ceny of 5000. The facts as stated to Mr.
Given by Mr. Osgood are that in April OF
last year Latham was Introduced to Osgood
by friend. Mr.. Osgood had made some
investments in mining properties, and La
than stated that his object in seeking an
Introduction was to lay before Mr.. Osgood
promising investment in placer mine In
the republic of Colombia, South America
Latham stated that the river Mel, which
enters into the Magdelena river several
hundred miles from Its mouth, Is noted for
the gold to be found In its stands during
the dry season. Natives dive to the 1o,-
tom and scramble the sand into sacks.
THESE are taken ashore and by crude
process the free gold is separated from the
sand, according to his statement
Alleged Values.
From these paintings he esaimed he could
develop gold values from twenty-five cents
to one dollar per sack. He produced a re-
port pnrporting to be signed by c. L.
Dixon, the manager of the noted Musarth
Emerald mines of Colombia, bearing out
his statement and adding that the river
bed Is rich with free gold
In short, Latham declared that the and
would produce hundred dollars worth
OF gold for every cubic yard; that he had
already gone into the matter of providing
suction dredges, and that with little ex-
pense the sbld-bearing sand could be
brought to the surface and the separation
would result In many millions of dollars in
profit.
Latham asserted that there was no owner
to this placer discovery under the laws of
Colombia, and he offered to return to South
America, where he said he had spent the
last two or three years, and there he would
acquire the title and necessary concessions
to operate suction dredges In the river
Latham further asserted his ability to Sc
cure the title in the name of Mr. Osgood
and any associates he might have In the
matter Finally, after making inquiries a
to the river Mel Mr.. Osgood 1t is stated,
gave Latham $3.50 cash and drafts amount
ing to SI00 or more, and Latham started
for South America.
This occurred May g 1905 and Mr. Os-
good received several brief letters from
Latham. in South America, stating that
every thing was progressing smoothly.
In september last MI. OSSOOQ was sur
prised to find Latham In this city, and
made demands for title and other conces-
sions that Latham had promised to deliver
to him. Latham declared that they would
come by the next steamer, which was due
in four weeks.
But" said Mr.. osgood. the steamer L
looked for never came
Others Who Made Statements.
DR.. J. K. Eppely. proprietor OF the yicto-
ria fats drug store, also called on Assistant
Attorney Given today and related to him
certain transactions he had with Latham.
Mr.. Milton Bloomburg. one of the con-
gressional stenographers, and several Wash
ington business men also called upon Mr..
Given this afternoon to lay before him in
formation In their possession concerning
transactions which Latham had had with
them. and which. il is believed, will open
up a much more serious phase when the
matter is thoroughly investigated by the
district attorneys office.
Check Dishonored.
Several months ago, 1t is stated Latham
asked Mr.. Osgood to cash draft on bank
in Bogota, South America, drawn on II. 8.
Dickey, for 500. 1t Is stated that Mr.. o.
good cashed the draft and then sent it to
South America to be cashed. When that
was returned to Mr.. Osgood with the state
ment that it was no good Mr.. Osgood grew
suspicious. AS result of his nyestfga-
TONS II Is stated, he became convinced that
Latham was not what he represented him
self to be, and today he swore out the war
rant for Lathams arrest.
The banking concern upon which the
draft given by Mr.. Osgood was drawn Is
now defunct, 1t is stated. Just what be-
came OF the drafts Is not known. as none of
them were ever presented to MT. Osgood
for payment
Latham was locked up in the first pre-
cinct station, after he was interviewed by
the detectives at police headquarters, and